LUTHERAN DAILY DEVOTIONAL 14 NOVEMBER 2022 || MONDAY MESSAGE BY LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
Read Lutheran Daily Devotional 14 November 2022
TOPIC: Safely Held
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Psalm 46:6-7 – The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Sadly, we have become accustomed to seeing frightening news. We hear endless reports of nations raging and modern-day kingdoms tottering on the brink of collapse. As frightening as these events are, we should not be surprised at any of it because Jesus said that these things would happen.
The terrifying events do not necessarily indicate the immediate end of the world, although that will come according to God’s perfect plan. The raging nations serve as an early warning, a call to pay attention: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6).
To our earthly point of view these raging kingdoms appear to be out of control, but they are firmly under the Lord’s authority. It is God who “makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and leads them away” (Job 12:23). The earth melts at His voice.
While all of this is raging around us, what are we to do? We cannot pretend that these events are not happening, but we do have a safe place to hide, as the psalmist declares: “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Yet while we are surrounded by that safe place, we have work to do. The Lord who holds kingdoms in His hand is the Lord who loves this raging world. He suffered and died for the sins of all people and He has commanded us to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in His name to all nations.
God sends us out among those raging nations and tottering kingdoms armed with the good news of salvation in Jesus’ Name. The LORD of hosts, that is, the LORD of the armies of heaven, goes with us, surrounding us with His love and care and empowering us with His Spirit. God is our fortress, but He is not a place of retreat. He is a fortress on the move!
We long for the day of Jesus’ return, the day when people of every nation and kingdom must bow before the King of kings. Until that great day, and through these difficult times, we are called to remain faithful—and to look up! The rage of the nations is another reminder that our Lord is coming soon, but in these frightening days Jesus tells us, “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28).
The Lord who keeps the raging nations under His authority holds each one of us in His strong hand. We are safe there and we have work to do.
WE PRAY: Lord Jesus, keep us safe in Your care as we proclaim the Good News of salvation. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Though we “hear of wars and rumors of wars,” why did Jesus say we should not be alarmed?
2. Can you give any current examples of nations raging and kingdoms tottering?
3. How is it possible to draw courage from even the difficult circumstances going on around us?
Today’s Bible Readings: Daniel 11-12 1 Timothy 1
Lutheran Daily Devotional 14 November 2022 from LHM will help strengthen and encourage your faith as you do the same for others. Have them delivered right to your inbox, podcast the audio devotional, access them on your mobile device through the FREE app, or listen with Spotify, iHeart Radio, Alexa, or Google Home. Seasonal Devotions for Advent and Lent are also available in both English and Spanish. Perfect for personal reflection or to share with family, friends and congregations, these seasonal meditations will help prepare you to celebrate the true meaning of these seasons.
