SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH
READINGS, PRAYERS and DEVOTION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
NEWS: The Tuesday evening Bible study at the Kolkman’s is CANCELLED for TONIGHT. Allen has a flu bug and will try to get the material to those who would like it.
Tomorrow evening is Women’s Bible study, online, at 5 PM. Lori Dowe is leading the ladies in studying the Max Lucado book, “Experiencing the Heart of Jesus.” Contact her for more information or for the Zoom link, loridowe@gmail.com
PRAYERS: Today we especially pray for Theodora Elias. Theodora asks prayers for her brother, who has been battling cancer for an extended period now.
READINGS: Psalm 25:15-22; Psalm 114; Job 17:1-16; John 7:14-31
DEVOTION:
“Entering the Promised Land”
euteronomy 34:1-5a, 9 – Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo …. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, the Negeb, and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. And the LORD said to him, “This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab …. And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him and did as the LORD had commanded Moses.
Moses had one last blessing before he died—God allowed him to see the Promised Land that was the goal for the people of Israel all the years Moses led them through the wilderness. Moses himself couldn’t go in there, because he had disobeyed God at a key moment during those travels (see Numbers 20:12). It would be Joshua who brought the people into the land.
So far, so simple—and sad. But if we stop and think about it from a different point of view, we can see God’s Gospel at work.
You see, Moses is a symbol of God’s Law. He was the one who went up Mt. Sinai and received the Commandments for the people to live by. He was the one who enforced those Commandments for 40 years in the wilderness, while the people kept sinning and rebelling. God used Moses greatly, and we are right to honor him—just as we respect God’s Law.
What about the Promised Land—what does that mean, taken as a symbol? That’s easy—that looks forward to our future with God in God’s eternal kingdom—in the new heavens and new earth, when we are free from sin and death, full of joy and peace and happiness. That’s what we look forward to—our own promised land for all creation.
But great and glorious as God’s Law is, it’s never going to get us into God’s kingdom. It can’t. We are broken people, and we will never obey the Law perfectly. We need help. Who can bring us into God’s kingdom?
This story tells us—Joshua can do it. The name “Joshua” is the Hebrew form of the Name “Jesus,” and that’s exactly who the real Joshua stands for, symbolically. Jesus can do what the Law cannot do—He can bring us into the kingdom of God forever, to live there in peace and joy.
How did He do this? Not by urging us to work harder to keep God’s Law—to try agan and again to be perfect—only to come under punishment when we mess up, as we always do in the end. No, Jesus kept the Law Himself, in His own life and body—and then He lay that life down on the altar of the cross. Jesus made atonement for us through His death and resurrection. Now everyone who trusts in Him is rescued and brought safely into the real promised land—God’s kingdom of life.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You that You Yourself bring us into Your kingdom, because You are gracious to us. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have you ever tried to live absolutely perfectly?
2. How did that go?
3. How does it feel to trust yourself entirely to Jesus Christ to rescue you?
Today’s Bible Readings: Exodus 36-38 Mark 4:1-20
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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 are to go to your work 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.”
Then you are to go to sleep quickly and cheerfully.
OTHER RESOURCES:
www.facebook.com/shepherdofthevalleyoceanside
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 Tuesday to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us.
