SVLC DEVOTION TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2023

 Commit your way to the Lord; trustn in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5 ESV

 NEWS: A very blessed Tuesday to everyone!

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Glen and Deb Strasman in our prayers. We also remember Linda Johnson, who has been diagnosed with cancer. In our Summer of Prayer series, we pray for local businesses who are struggling with rampant theft. We ask the Lord would protect these businesses for the sake of those they employ, whose wages are at risk due to their company’s losing income.

 READINGS: Jeremiah 50:17-32; Psalm 37:1-22; Ephesians 4:1-16

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Facing the Problem of Evil” August 8, 2023

 

Job 38:4-7, 12, 16-18 – [God said to Job:] “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy? … Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place …? Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.” You know the story of Job—a great man who was wealthy, powerful, and blessed by God, until he suddenly lost everything in a single day. His wealth was destroyed and his servants and children died. Then, not long after, he himself got sick. Who can survive all that? Who can even begin to understand it? Nobody. When terrible things happen, if we are wise, we stay silent and weep. Only fools think they can understand the deep things of God—why evil exists, why the innocent suffer, why tragedy hits one person again and again while others go unscathed. After days of arguing with his friends about this, Job says: “Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing” (Job 31:36). And Job gets his wish. God records the whole story, arguments and all, in the book of Job in the Bible. The Almighty does answer him, and us too—though the answer seems to be “What makes you think you would understand if I told you?” But God goes further than that—much further. Because God’s answer to the problem of evil is Jesus. Jesus is God become Man, God living among us and sharing our suffering, grief, and pain. It’s Jesus wearing that crown of thorns, stripped and scourged, and finally crucified for our sakes. God has not left us alone to deal with evil. He has come with us right into the middle of it, not as a symbol but in bloody reality. Now we can never say to God, “You don’t understand.” And we never have to think that we are alone in our pain. God has been there, and He is there with us now. And God has overcome evil—for Jesus rose from the dead, and He lives forever. More than that, He has promised that all of us will share His victory. Evil will not have the last word, whatever it looks like right now. Jesus will. And His Word to us is “Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34b). We may not understand why terrible things happen to us; but we see Jesus. And Jesus has us in His hands, and will never drop us. That is our comfort. WE PRAY: Dear Lord, when I don’t understand, help me to trust You. Amen. This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo. Reflection Questions: 1. How do you deal with it when God leaves you confused? 2. Why do you trust Jesus in spite of not understanding? 3. How can you comfort and strengthen someone who suffers? What actions could you take?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 136, 146; 1 Corinthians 3

 

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 hour  s: 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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us

 Pastor Joel, pastor@svlcchurch.org