Just as He Said – Family Devotion – February 3, 2021

Read: Deuteronomy 18:15-20

The LORD said to me: “What they say is good. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him.
Deuteronomy 18:17-18

Just as He Said

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Jonas and Addie ran to their rooms. They were trying to hold it back and hide it, but they couldn’t any longer. They buried their heads in their pillows and started sobbing. “Why? Why can’t we! But you said! You said we could!”

Jonas and Addie were heartbroken. Their parents had just told them that they weren’t going to Disney World. After almost a year of planning, looking at pictures, and excited talk about rides and Mickey and Star Wars adventures, it wasn’t going to happen. Despite all their many promises, the parents told Jonas and Addie that they couldn’t do it this year. They didn’t have the time to get away from work, and they didn’t have the money to pay for it. The just couldn’t do it. How sad when parents, friends, family, and others break their promises to us!

Moses made a promise to the Israelites in our devotion today. However, this wasn’t Moses’ promise, it was actually the Lord’s. And what did the Lord say? He promised that he was going to send another prophet like Moses in the future. This special prophet would be even greater than Moses and would speak the very words of God, telling us everything God wants us to know.

Unlike imperfect people, God always keeps his promises. He has the power. He can do what he says. And yes, God has kept all his promises, including this one. God sent that greater prophet—Jesus, his own Son. In the previous devotion this week, we heard one example of how Jesus proved he was this great prophet. He taught with power and with authority and showed his power by casting out a demon. But it wasn’t just that story. In all of Jesus’ words and works, he proves that he is the One God promised to send.

How thankful we can be that God keeps his promises! Because he kept every promise to send our Savior Jesus, we know that he will keep every other promise to us. When we feel lonely and sad, we know that he is still with us—just as he said. When we feel like everything is going badly in our lives, we know that he will work it all for our good because he loves us—just as he said. When things are bad in this world, we know he will take us one day to our perfect home in heaven—just as he said.

Look at God’s power in Jesus. Look at God’s promises kept in Jesus. God has proven that he will love us and help us in his grace—just as he said.

Closing Prayer:

God, we are so thankful that you keep all your promises to us. Because you do, help us always to believe and trust what you say. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What was the prophecy (the promise) that God made to the Israelites through Moses?
• Who was the keeper of that promise?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Explain why it is so difficult for humans to keep their promises to each other.
• Explain, as best you can, why it is so easy for God to keep his promises to us.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Name as many promises as you can think of that God has made to us.
• Agree or Disagree: Because God has kept all his promises to us, we will never again doubt or worry. Explain your answer.

Hymn: CW 556:1,3 – Rise, Shine, You People

Rise, shine, you people! Christ the Lord has entered
Our human story; God in him is centered.
He comes to us, by death and sin surrounded,
With grace unbounded.

Come, celebrate, your banners high unfurling,
Your songs and prayers against the darkness hurling.
To all the world go out and tell the story
Of Jesus’ glory.