SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
NEWS: It was an awesome day in the house of the Lord yesterday! 46 attended worship in person, with more online. Thank you to all who served our congregation and thank you to Pastor Joel for his teaching and leading.
Tomorrow evening the Tuesday Bible study takes place at the home of Allen and Debbie Kolkman. It runs from 6:30 to 8 PM and starts with a short devotion. That’s followed by the study material, then fellowship time with coffee and goodies. All are welcome to attend. The address is 710 Fredericks Ave., Oceanside
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for David Clem. We, also, are requesting prayers for a few different things. I had prosthetic work done but it is causing intense pressure on my limb. It takes work to fine tune things when you get a new cuff that the limb fits into. I may be using a cane temporarily. Then, for my left shoulder, as I received a cortisone injection last week. I also have an MRI on Tuesday for the head and eye area, as I will be needing surgery on my right eye. Lastly, I have a CT later this week to check on my lungs and the fungal infection I have been taking meds for. Margie and I appreciate the prayers of all our friends and fellow believers…thank you! We know all of you have many things going on in your lives as well.
READINGS: Psalm 39:4-7, 12-13; Psalm 38; Deuteronomy 15:19-16:22; Matthew 13:44-58
DEVOTION:
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
“Shielded”
Psalm 5:11-12 – But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your Name may exult in You. For You bless the righteous, O LORD; You cover him with favor as with a shield.
Just as members of today’s armed forces wear helmets and body armor for protection in combat, ancient warriors wore armor and carried shields to protect themselves from swords, spears, and arrows. The giant Philistine warrior Goliath was well-armored when he taunted the Israelite army during the reign of King Saul. Goliath wore a coat of chain mail, bronze armor on his legs, and a bronze helmet. He carried a sword and a spear, and his shield-bearer went before him.
When David volunteered to fight Goliath, King Saul clothed the young shepherd in armor. David put on a coat of mail and a bronze helmet, but he was not trained in the use of such heavy equipment “and he tried in vain to go” (1 Samuel 17:39b). David set aside the useless armor and went into battle armed only with his shepherd’s staff, his sling, and five smooth stones. Those were not very powerful weapons to wield against a giant, but David had even better armor to shield him in the fight. The well-armed shepherd announced to Goliath, “The LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hand” (1 Samuel 17:47b). The Lord went before David as a shield, and a stone from David’s sling brought down the giant Philistine.
In daily battle, we face Satan, a powerful foe who tempts us and seeks to turn us from God and His ways. As David was burdened under the weight of Saul’s armor, we may be burdened with the heavy weight of sin and guilt and the worries of life. Yet just as it was for David, for us too “the battle is the Lord’s.” God sent a Champion into the fight in our place. Jesus took onto Himself the burden of our sin and guilt. By His innocent suffering and death and by His triumphant resurrection, Jesus defeated Satan. The dangerous weapons of sin and death were torn from the grasp of the evil foe. Our sins are forgiven. In Baptism we were clothed and well-armored in Jesus’ righteousness. In the trials and suffering we may face, the Lord is our refuge, our place of safety. His favor covers us like a shield.
The battle is the Lord’s. He goes before us as our Shield and guards us in the troubles we encounter each day and the anxious worries that may come by night. He spreads His protection over us and shelters us with His love. As the psalmist says, “The Word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him” (Psalm 18:30b).
WE PRAY: Lord, shield me today with Your love and favor. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever met someone you might actually call a “giant”? How big was that person?
2. What confidence did David have when he went out to face Goliath?
3. How does God help us against the opponents we can’t see, in our spiritual battles?
Today’s Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 35 Habakkuk 1-3 Acts 25
Luther’s Morning Prayer
In the morning, as soon as you get out of bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father through Jesus Christ your dear son, that you have protected me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you that you would also protect me today from sin and all evil, so that my life and actions may please you completely. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
After singing a hymn or whatever else may serve your devotion, you can go about your day joyfully!
Luther’s Evening Prayer
In the evening, when you go to bed, you are to make the Sign of the Cross and say:
“God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit watch over me. Amen.”
Then, kneeling or standing, say the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. In addition recite this prayer as well:
“I give thanks to you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ your dear Son, that you have graciously protected me today, and I ask you to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously to protect me tonight. For into your hands I commend myself: my body, my soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.”
You can now go to bed quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Our church website is: https://www.svlchurch.org/
Below is our Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
Here is the website for Lutherans for Life: https://lutheransforlife.org/
Here is the website for Lutheran Hour Ministries: https://www.lhm.org/
Lutheran Public Radio is listener supported and has two channels, one for sacred music and the other for talk, including news, current issues, politics and spiritual matters from a Lutheran perspective. Hosted by Pastor Todd Wilken, Issues, Etc. airs live Monday thru Friday from 1 to 3 pm Pacific, with the “Best Of” running at other hours: https://lutheranpublicradio.org/
KFUO is the listener supported radio station owned and operated by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Based in St. Louis, their format consists of teaching, preaching, ministry and sacred music: https://www.kfuo.org/
A very blessed Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us
Pastor Joel at pastor@svlchurch.org
