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[Jesus said,] “He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
Luke 20:38

Alive to God

Many people hope that, if God does exist, they will be able to live with him in heaven. Unfortunately for those who do not have faith in Jesus, this is a baseless hope that ends only in disaster. In contrast, Jesus helps us understand what it means to be alive to God. He also provides the assurance needed to know that we will live with him forever.

Jesus’ words appear to be challenging. He said, “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” There are two implications. The first is how God views those who die. When this life comes to an end, people don’t simply fade into nothingness. God still recognizes and preserves the soul. This leads to a second, and greater implication. How does that soul remain alive to God?

The answer is found in only one place and with only one person. In the Bible, God reveals the person to whom we need to hold. It is through Jesus and his precious work that we find confidence and are alive to God. In Jesus, we escape the justice of disobedience and are set free from the condemnation of sin. In Jesus, we are released from the sentence of God’s eternal punishment and declared not guilty. Our confidence comes as the result of Jesus’ blessed assurance. He promised, “I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me will live even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25-26).

It is only because of Jesus’ precious work and his never-failing promise that we have this confidence: “I am alive to God, and I will live with him forever.”

Prayer:

O gracious God, Lord of life and death, bless me with the gift of faith which not only takes hold of eternal life, but which also holds on to the source of that life—my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”
Luke 19:5

Today Might Be the Day

“I don’t have time for religion. Life is so busy right now with work and the kids and everything else. We will get back to church one of these days.” Does that sound familiar? Perhaps you have even thought about it yourself. Faith, religion, and church are all things that easily find a place on the back burner in our lives. So many things seem more pressing. There are deadlines to meet, quotas to fill, and memories to make. There are ball games to attend, vacations to take, and deals to close. And so, we tell ourselves that we will make time for God later: either when we get married, when we settle down and have kids, or maybe even when we retire.

But here’s the question: what if Jesus decides that today is the day he wants to meet you face to face, like he did with Zacchaeus? He told Zacchaeus, “I must stay at your house today.” What if he says that to you before this day is over? None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. At any given moment, God could decide that our time on earth is over.

Are you ready? If Jesus decides that today is the day, we don’t need to be afraid of meeting him. Jesus has already removed any reason for us to fear him. He has paid for our sins by dying on the cross and has guaranteed our eternal life by rising from the grave. He has forgiven us and saved us, and through faith in him, we can trust that he will take us home to heaven.

Life has a way of getting in the way of our faith. Make time for Jesus and spend time with him in worship and Bible study so that when Jesus says that today is the day, you will be ready to meet him.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for saving me and giving me the gift of heaven. Help me not to put you on the back burner today. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Micah 7:19

In the Depths of the Sea

‘Sploosh.’ I remember that sound as if it was yesterday. My boys and I were out with my dad, fishing on his boat. We were on Green Lake, in central Wisconsin. Anyone who has fished with young kids knows that the adults don’t actually do much fishing. Rather, it involves a lot of reattaching worms and lures, as well as untangling lines. During one of those breaks in the action, my youngest son leaned over the side of the boat to look at something in the water. As he did so, his glasses slid off his face and into the water. ‘Sploosh.’

Now, for those who don’t know, Green Lake is the deepest natural lake in Wisconsin. Its maximum depth is 237 feet. Try as we might, there was absolutely no way we were going to recover or find those glasses. They were gone forever.

God wants us to know that he has done the same thing with our sins. No matter what our sins are or how big or small we think they are or how long we have been carrying them around in guilt and shame, God wants us to know that he has removed them from us forever. He has hurled them into the depths of the sea. This was made possible for us when Jesus went to the cross in our place. There, as he died for you and me, he took on our sins and paid for them once and for all. God the Father accepted that payment and has taken our sins and removed them from us once and for all. We are forgiven and saved because of Jesus.

The good news for my son was that Shopko had free replacement on kids’ glasses, so he was able to get a new pair as soon as we got back home. The even better news for you is that because of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, you have been given a new, guilt-free life here on earth and a glorious eternal life in heaven.

Prayer:

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for removing my sins and burying them in the depths of the sea. Help me to live a thankful life, looking forward to my eternal life with you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

In Christ, We Have Victory

When the apostle Paul went to Thessalonica on his second missionary journey, the word of God that he preached regarding Jesus Christ bore fruit. Some came to faith in Jesus. But enemies of the gospel raised an outcry against Paul, stirred up a mob, and forced Paul to flee during the night. Torn away from them so abruptly, Paul did not even have a chance to say goodbye to that congregation of believers.

In this letter to his Christian friends in that city, he shares his great desire to return to instruct them in the truths of God’s Word and encourage them in the face of such great opposition. But Satan stopped Paul and his companions from returning.

Satan is ever trying to prevent the progress of the gospel. He works incessantly to keep people from believing in Jesus or persuades them to deny or ignore him as their Savior. By spreading false teaching and instigating outright opposition against believers, he seeks to destroy the church of Jesus and lead people to destruction in hell.

But Jesus is stronger than the devil, and the Bible tells us, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 John 3:8). Jesus came to establish the truth of salvation. He took away the guilt of our sins by dying for us. He clothed us in his perfection so that by faith in him we are freed from the curse of eternal death and freely given the crown of life with God forever.

Satan has been defeated. Though he still strives to oppose Jesus and the truth of salvation—even making our life difficult so often—in Christ we have the victory over him and look forward to the glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes.

Prayer:

Thank you, Jesus, for winning the victory over the devil, so that I know he cannot hurt me this day. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!”
Revelation 21:4-5

Everything New

We live in a world obsessed with the new. The latest phone, the latest smartwatch or car technology, the latest trend in clothing, or your team’s rebranded logo or colors. But new isn’t always welcomed. Change isn’t always easy.

But speaking from his throne in heaven today, God says, “I am making everything new!” With these words, he doesn’t want to increase our anxiety but to comfort and encourage us for life in this broken world and even in the face of death.

God created this world perfect, but sin brought suffering and decay into it. Disobedience brought death and pain, sorrow and sickness that God never intended. No amount of medical research will eliminate death in our world. No efforts to control the climate will completely eliminate earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. No politicians or policies will make a world where no one is mistreated or hurt by the actions of another. Our world is broken beyond repair.

But God promises, “I am making everything new.” It won’t always be this way. The struggle will come to an end one day. One day, the world as we know it will be destroyed. And God will make a new heaven and a new earth—a new, perfect place for us to dwell. There, “‘He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Can you even imagine that? A world without death. A world without pain or disappointment or struggle or frustration. A world where not a single thing goes wrong, not just for an hour or two but for eternity!

Because Jesus, our King, came to this broken world to defeat sin and destroy death, that’s what we have to look forward to. Through faith in him, we have been made new. Through faith in him, we are citizens of heaven, where everything is made new!

Prayer:

Jesus, keep me faithful to you until you come to make everything new and take me to my eternal home. Amen.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
Revelation 21:2

A Beautiful Bride

Many women will not look more beautiful in their life than they do on their wedding day. They chose just the right dress. They carefully do their hair and their makeup. They want the man with whom they will promise to spend the rest of their life to have his breath taken away by what he sees when she walks down the aisle.

The Bible regularly describes the Church—believers in Jesus—as the bride of Christ. As we stand before Christ, we are clothed in the most beautiful dress. But it’s not because we spent so much time and effort making ourselves look good for him. We can’t afford anything more than filthy rags. Compared to the life that God’s commandments expect of us, that’s what our lives are—filthy rags. We can’t stand before the altar looking like that.

But Christ himself provides the dress for us, his bride. That dress is dazzling white because it is washed clean with the pure and holy blood of Christ himself. He lived a flawless life in our place. There was not a single stain of lust or lies, of hatred or greed in his life. Jesus Christ took his flawless, holy life, and he offered it in death as the sacrifice for our sins. Because God accepted his perfect sacrifice, his blood covers all who see him as their Savior. It cleanses us of our lust and lies, our hatred and greed, and every other impurity that stains our lives. And now, cleansed and covered by the holy life of Jesus, we stand before him beautiful, radiant, stunning.

That’s how Jesus sees all who see him as their Savior. He delights in us the way a groom beams at the sight of his beautiful bride on their wedding day. And that smile will never fade from our Savior’s face. Every day, you are forgiven and made clean to stand before him. And one day, he will come back to welcome you home, where you will dwell with him in perfect joy forever.

Prayer:

Dearest Jesus, you chose me to be your bride and dress me in your perfect righteousness. Encourage me with that truth every day until I see you face-to-face. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:39-40

Big Plans

In a Peanuts movie animated by Charles Schulz, a boy named Linus misses out on trick-or-treating and a Halloween party with his friends because he’s waiting in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin to appear. The Great Pumpkin never comes, and Linus is crushed with disappointment.

We live in a world where it seems promises are made to be broken and plans so often fail. Is the same true of God’s plans?

Long ago, he made plans to put an end to pain and sorrow and death. When those who trusted those plans but only saw more pain, sorrow, and death, they were tempted to give up on God. But, by God’s power working through his promises, many didn’t. They trusted God, even when it seemed foolish. They believed that God’s plans never fail. And they died believing promises that they never saw come true in their lifetime.

Centuries after they died, God’s plans came together. At the right time, he sent his Son, Jesus, into the world. Jesus came knowing that God’s plans for us meant that he would face his own pain, sorrow, and death. But he loved us and carried out the plan to perfection.

When he rose from the dead, it was proof that the plan worked. Death was crushed. Pain and sorrow would not get the last word. Paradise was restored.

Those who died trusting in God’s plan and promises were not disappointed. Because Jesus kept God’s promises and carried out God’s plans, their deaths meant the end of death, sorrow, and pain for them. They woke up to a new life with their God.

Life in this world is hard. We don’t see paradise, only problems and pain. But like those people long ago, we can endure it, trusting that God has big plans for us. Because of Jesus, one day, our eyes will close on the pain of this world and will open to a life of perfect joy—better than we could ever imagine.

Prayer:

Lord, in the midst of life’s pain, help me trust your eternal plans for me, so that I receive what you have prepared. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

Never Again

In the fall of 1990, millions of Americans sat down in front of their TV sets and encountered a part of their history in a way they never had before. The documentary was entitled “The Civil War.” Using superb production values and masterful storytelling, this documentary brought the American Civil War to life, making it seem immediate and real.

Of its many riveting scenes, one of the most powerful captured the horrors of slavery. With pictures of shackled and abused slaves flashing across the screen, you heard the scratchy recording of an actual former slave. The old man made it clear that the very thought of ever returning to slavery was too terrible for him to consider. “You see, when you’re a slave, you’re nothing but a dog,” the old man said. “You’re nothing but a dog.” His attitude towards his former way of life came down to two words: Never again.

What’s sad is that, when it comes to our walk with God as Christians, you and I often don’t have the same reaction to our former way of life. We were slaves by nature, shackled and chained by the guilt of our sin and our own evil desires. But when Jesus invaded our world of slavery, he took our place. He paid the price for our freedom with his own blood. He covered us with his holiness and gave us new lives.

But even now, our old slave owner, the devil, tries to sweet-talk us into coming back. He does this whenever he tells us that the answers to life are in us, and not in Christ. When he approaches you, run. Run as fast as you can to the One who has set you free. Be assured, you are forgiven by your Savior. Bask in the peace and joy that you have in him alone. And be renewed in your zeal, never again to return to slavery. Never again.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you have set me free from the slavery of sin. Move me to look back at my old way of life and say, “Never again.” Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

Freedom Through Christ Alone

I visited a friend in a medium-security prison and was seated in a commons area. I was surprised at the relative freedom that seemed to exist. While I waited for my friend, several incarcerated individuals walked through, either going about their tasks or just talking with each other. When my friend arrived, I remarked on that freedom they seemed to enjoy. His response was, “Don’t be fooled. There’s no freedom here.”

We often think that only those who are locked up in a prison have no freedom. The world tends to view freedom as the ability to do whatever we want, when we want, with whomever we want. Freedom often means permission to indulge the sinful flesh.

That kind of freedom is nothing but the worst kind of prison. Because on a spiritual level, there is no freedom that we could ever have. One sin condemns. Each sin convicts. Every sin would leave us in spiritual shackles, doomed and condemned to an eternity away from the presence of God.

Only Jesus gives actual freedom. As the eternal Son of God, Jesus was truly free—unburdened by any sin. And how did he exercise his freedom? By allowing himself to be bound to a cross. With his sacrifice in our place, Jesus sprung the doors of the eternal prison that would have contained us.

And now, we are truly free. Free from sin. Free to serve. Free through the sacrifice of Christ alone.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I thank you for setting me free from my spiritual prison. Grant me joy in living in the joyful freedom to praise you and serve others. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
Galatians 5:5

Freedom by Faith Alone

Have you ever seen videos where someone is building an intricate structure or path out of dominoes? And with one little mistake, one accidental brush of the hand, the whole structure comes crashing down.

That’s what happened in Galatia in the days of the apostle Paul. Paul rightly proclaimed that salvation has been won through the blood sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

But other teachers came along with their message that just a little bit more was needed. What Jesus did was good and fine, but more needed to be added. Males must be circumcised. Certain festivals and regulations had to be followed—not just as a good idea, but as a requirement for salvation. They were teaching essentially that Jesus + their deeds = salvation. Paul told them the truth. Jesus + their deeds = destruction.

We may be tempted to do the same at times. We might think there must be some reason that God loves me. There must be a reason why I am forgiven. And we think that the answer must be in something that we do. We are tempted to add just a little bit of our goodness, just a touch of our own deeds. And in trying to improve God’s salvation, we bring it all crashing down around us.

The wonderful truth is we can be sure of salvation not because of what we do, but rather because of what Jesus has done. Nothing more needs to be added. His works are perfect. Nothing can be improved. Jesus never let one careless word stray from his mouth, one uncharitable thought lingers in his mind, or one selfish moment deprive someone of the love they needed.

And that perfect life of Jesus, and his willing death, are now yours. How? Through faith in what Jesus did for you. Don’t try to add to it. That just spoils it. Rather, rejoice that God saves you through faith in the works and sacrifice of Jesus—now yours, through faith!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for taking my place and being my Savior. Grant me joy today to serve you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 8:36

Free Indeed!

Willie Williams spent twenty-two years in a Georgia prison for a crime he didn’t commit. When he was exonerated by DNA evidence, he was set free. Of course, he was beyond happy with his freedom. But he also struggled to get used to it. He didn’t feel free. For a long time, he woke up at three o’clock in the morning and looked around to see if he was still in prison. Sure enough, though, he really was free.

Freedom is a precious gift. It is an undeserved gift because we commit crimes, sins, against our Creator. We came into this world as prisoners of sin and held captive by the eternal death we deserved.

But Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has set us free. Jesus allowed our sin to pin him down on the cross. He allowed our death to entomb him. He broke out of our prison when he died and rose again from death. We are free! Free indeed!

You may not feel very free. Do your daily temptations threaten to enslave you? Do your daily problems make you feel trapped? Do your fears and worries box you in and paralyze you? Do you look ahead to the end of life and feel death’s walls closing in?

Don’t be fooled by your feelings. Listen to what the Son promises you—he has set you free. You are free: Free indeed!

Sin has no more power to condemn—you are forgiven. Temptation has no more power to control you—Jesus is always with you. Death has no more power to terrify you—Jesus lives again, and so will you.

Willie Williams had to keep reminding himself that he really was free.

So do you. You may not feel free, but through Jesus, you are. Free indeed! And one day, in heaven, you’ll feel it fully: no sin, no problems, no temptations, no fear, no death.

Until then, trust what the Son tells you: you are free. Free indeed!

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, since you have set me free, I am free indeed! Thank you! Help me to trust that this gift of freedom is really mine. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
Genesis 32:30

Wrestle with God Anticipating Glory

“And the winner is…” When the referee dramatically raises the winner’s hand and confetti falls from the ceiling, sheer joy (and sometimes a certain amount of surprise) beams from the face of the victor.

Jacob could not believe it. He had just spent the night wrestling with God. And he lived to talk about it. Think about that. Seeing God face-to-face should mean death. Sinners cannot survive in the blazing holiness of the Almighty. When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah saw a glimpse of the Lord, he cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5). When one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, realized who Jesus truly was, he fell to his knees and begged, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8).

Jacob knew the same truth. A deceiver like him didn’t deserve to walk away from an encounter with God. But that’s the wonder of God’s grace and mercy: Jacob lived. He lived because God was not there to destroy him but to bless him. That’s the story of the whole Bible. Over and over, sinners stand face to face with God—and instead of condemnation, they receive mercy. Again and again, God meets sinners face to face, not with wrath but with love.

How is that possible? Because when Jesus went to the cross with our sins on his shoulders, his Father turned his face away from Jesus so that he could turn his face in favor to us. Jesus suffered God’s wrath and justice, so that one day, you will stand before God in all his glory. You will not be afraid. You will not be consumed. You will look into the face of your Savior and live.

So today, remember Peniel. Remember Jacob’s wonder because it’s your wonder. In Christ, you will see God face-to-face, and your life will be spared.

Prayer:

Lord, like Jacob, I don’t deserve to see your face. Yet in Jesus, you show me mercy. Thank you that in him I live, now and forever. Keep me clinging to your grace until the day I see you in glory. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Genesis 32:27-28

Wrestle with God Under a New Name

The Undertaker. Macho Man. Stone Cold. For years, professional wrestlers have adopted nicknames as a way to instill fear in their opponents. But not all names are intimidating or positive. Sometimes, names are embarrassing. Sometimes, names sting.

Jacob knew that sting. His name literally meant “heel-grabber,” or “deceiver.” Someone who trips you up. And he lived up to his name by tricking his dad, swindling his brother, and hustling his uncle. When his wrestling opponent asked, “What is your name?” Jacob must have been just a little bit embarrassed. His name basically was a confession.

But after that long night of wrestling, God gave him a new name: Israel—which means “he struggles with God.” That was more than a label. It was a brand-new identity. No longer defined by his past, God now defined his bright future.

That’s your story too. We walk into baptism carrying names like “Sinner” “Lost,” or “Hopeless.” But we walk out of baptism with a new name: “Child of God.” Just like an infant doesn’t choose its name, neither do we choose this name. It’s a name given to us by our Lord.

Of course, the old names try to stick around. When we sin, Satan whispers, “You’re still Sinner, Lost, Hopeless.” But the cross of Jesus thunders louder, “You are forgiven. You are redeemed, because I bought you with my blood. You are mine.” Because of Jesus, your name is no longer “Condemned,” but “Beloved.” As such, you are now equipped to wrestle through the challenges of life under a new name, knowing that victory awaits.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for giving me a new name in Christ. Help me live in that identity every day, even when my past tries to pull me back. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.
Genesis 32:22-24

Wrestle with God in Our Weakness

Have you ever wrestled with someone stronger than you? Maybe your dad or an older brother. You give it your all, but you know deep down—they could finish you off anytime.

That’s Jacob’s story. He’s about to meet Esau, the brother he cheated years ago. After hearing that Esau is coming to meet him with four hundred men, Jacob is terrified. And tonight, he’s alone. Until—out of the dark—someone grabs him. Leg sweeps. Punches. Twists. Holds. They grapple all night. Not until daybreak did Jacob realize he wasn’t wrestling with a man—he was wrestling with God.

That’s how God often works. Jacob had a rather successful life, but for much of it, he relied on his own strength and schemes. But when he was weak, that’s when God came and wrestled with him. When life blindsides us with sickness or stress, it’s not always a bad thing. When we’re the weakest, that is often the best opportunity to wrestle with God. He comes into our weakness, and he doesn’t finish us off. Rather, he lets us cling to him.

Not only does God come to us when we face weakness, but he chose to become weak for us. Whether it was in the manger at his birth or on the cross at his death, Jesus looked anything but strong. The fact that he was conceived, born, suffered, died, and buried shows just how far he was willing to go so that we might grab onto him. So don’t let go. Wrestle with God in your weakness, whatever it is, and be reminded of his willingness to become weak for us. For in him, and only in him, will we find strength, forgiveness, and life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for meeting me in my weakness. Teach me to cling to you when my strength is gone. In Jesus, I know I am blessed. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

An Indescribable Gift

In this chapter of the Bible, the apostle Paul addresses the important matter of Christian giving. He teaches that God-pleasing offerings flow out of a willing heart in response to God’s rich blessings and unfailing providence.

In grand conclusion to his instruction and encouragement about offerings, the apostle proclaims, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” God gave to us first, and he gave us the best. In his great love for us, he sent Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins. Through Jesus, God gives us the peace of free and full forgiveness. By the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of his Son, death is defeated, and the way to heaven is open. A blessed life with God now and forever is ours by faith in Jesus. Jesus is everything for us. Praise God!

This is the essential reason for all that we do, including giving generous offerings, that God be praised. Yes, we give offerings for expenses at church and to help in the mission efforts of the church at large. We often hear about the needs and the opportunities. But the fundamental reason we give our offerings is not to balance the church budget or start a mission congregation or send a missionary. We give to praise God and thank him for all that he gives us. We must guard against only viewing offerings for what they will provide and buy. Our offerings, first and foremost, are a tangible way for us to honor God who has blessed us with the indescribable gift of his Son. With our eyes and hearts focused on the cross of Jesus and the gift of salvation, it is a joy to give offerings to our great God.

Prayer:

Lord, fill me with the joy of salvation that I may joyfully respond with generous offerings to honor you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.