Lutheran Daily Devotional 1st August 2022 || Monday Message By Lutheran Hour Ministries
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TOPIC: Chosen and Blessed
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Psalm 33:10-12 – The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom He has chosen as His heritage!
Lutheran Daily Devotional 1st August 2022 MESSAGE
Our psalm speaks of “the counsel of the nations” and “the plans of the peoples.” We hear quite a bit about those things in daily news reports—the policies of politicians, the schemes of dictators or military plans for domination or defense. The rulers of nations, with all of their plans, think that they are in charge, but they are not.
“The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He frustrates the plans of the peoples” because He has plans of His own. God “makes nations great, and He destroys them; He enlarges nations, and leads them away” (Job 12:23).
Rulers rule because God permits it, “for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1b). God can frustrate human planning, but no one can frustrate His plans or His saving purpose. God loves the world and sent His Son to atone for the sins of all people of every nation.
When Jesus the Messiah came, the nations schemed against the Lord’s Anointed One in a conspiracy that unfolded according to God’s plan. It was a treachery doomed to failure and foretold by the psalmist centuries before: “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” (Psalm 2:1).
King Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the religious leaders of Israel joined forces against Jesus, who was condemned to death and crucified. Yet all of this was done according to the plan that God “had predestined to take place” (Acts 4:28b). Then, on the third day after Jesus’ death, according to God’s eternal counsel, the Son was raised up from death and exalted to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
The psalmist rejoices in the blessings God gave to ancient Israel, His covenant nation. The Messiah was born among them and God’s covenant promise was fulfilled in Jesus. Through His Son, God creates for Himself “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession” (1 Peter 2:9a).
This is no earthly nation or kingdom; those realms still rise and fall at God’s command. This blessed, enduring, holy nation is chosen by grace through faith in Jesus. All who trust in Jesus are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to God’s covenant promise.
As God’s own people, His holy nation, we are called and set apart to proclaim repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ Name to all nations. That is God’s plan and purpose. It is a plan that will triumph because “the counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.”
WE PRAY: Lord God, help me to trust Your plans and Your promises. Amen.
The Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
- National governments do dastardly things all the time, and this can test our faith. How do we know that God is in charge even when we see horrible things going on around the world?
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How does God work through governments to accomplish His purposes?
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Have you ever considered running for public office? Why would you want to do so?
Today’s Bible Readings:Â Psalms 119:1-88Â Â Â Â 1 Thessalonians 5
Lutheran Daily Devotional 1st August 2022. Lutheran Hour Ministries is a trusted resource in global media that equips and engages a vibrant volunteer base to passionately proclaim the Gospel to more than 150 million people worldwide each week. Lutheran Daily Devotional 1st August 2022.