SVLC DEVOTION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023

by | Nov 26, 2023 | Daily Devotions

SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH

DEVOTION, READINGS and PRAYERS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2023

 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 ESV

 NEWS: We had a blessed day in God’s housen yesterday as we celebrated Christ The King Sunday and then last Sunday of theb church year. Thank you to all whom served before, during and after our service. Thank you to Pastor Joel as well for his leading, teaching and preaching! He is taking a vacation week and will be back “in office” Monday, December 4th.

Tomorrow evening is theb Tuesday Bible study at the home of Debbie and Allen Kolkman. It starts at 6:30 PM and includes a devotion and fellowship.

 PRAYERS: Today we remember Bill and Pat Sperberg in our prayers.

 READINGS: Nehemiah 5:14-19; Psalm 119:161-168; Revelation 1:1-8

 DEVOTION:

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

“Come to Save Us!”

November 27, 2023

 

Psalm 80:1-2 – Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Your might and come to save us!

“Stir up Your might and come to save us!” We are very familiar with that kind of prayer. Struggling with illness, loss, and grief, or worried about troubles with family or work, we plead with God in much the same way: “Lord, come to save me!” This psalm may reflect the prayers of Israelites who were under siege by Assyrian troops. After King Solomon died, the twelve tribes of Israel were divided into two kingdoms. The northern tribes, including Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh as mentioned in this psalm, formed the kingdom of Israel. The southern kingdom was called Judah. The king of Assyria besieged and conquered the northern kingdom. The Israelites were taken captive and exiled to Assyria. The verses of this psalm may be their plea for deliverance. They knew the Shepherd of Israel cared for His people, but now wolves surrounded them. They needed the Shepherd!

We also need the Shepherd. Israel looked back to their past to see how God had cared for them; they called on Him in prayer, seeking His help once again. We read about Israel’s history in the pages of Holy Scripture to see how God led Joseph “like a flock.” The history of God’s mighty acts of power shapes our faith and life in Christ. We see that we too must place our trust in the Shepherd of Israel: “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

The Israelites suffered captivity and exile because they “had sinned against the LORD their God” (2 Kings 17:7b). Israel longed and prayed for the Messiah, the Shepherd of Israel, to come to save them. When the right time came, Jesus the Shepherd, the Son of God, was born in Bethlehem; the long-promised Savior had come! He is the Good Shepherd who came to lay down His life for His sheep, to suffer and die to atone for the sins of the world. He came to set free all who are besieged by sin and Satan, all who are held captive to death. As foretold in the psalm, the Shepherd of Israel came to save us!

As we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ first advent, His birth in Bethlehem, we also look forward to the day of His return, His second Advent. On the Last Day, we will see Jesus returning in glory as King and Judge. The Good Shepherd will come again to gather His flock to Himself forever. This ancient prayer from the psalm is our Advent prayer: “O Shepherd of Israel … stir up Your might and come to save us!”

WE PRAY: Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does the God of Israel differ from the gods of Babylon and Assyria?

2. How does Scripture indicate that God is concerned with His people on a human level?

3. How does Christmas reveal so beautifully God’s personally involvement in each of our lives?

 

Today’s Bible in a Year Reading: Ezekiel 30-32; 1 Peter 4

 

Pastor Joel is Here for You.  If you have a pastoral need or a prayer request for Pastor Joel, please call or text him at 775-336-9680 or email him at luckemeyerj@gmail.com

 

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 Monday and new week to everyone! For any needs or prayer requests, please contact us