Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – July 13, 2017

Today’s readings: 1 Samuel 2:27-36; Acts 2:22-36; Luke 20:41–21:4

God desires and requires faithfulness. See how he deals with the priest Eli? Because Eli allowed his sons to practice unfaithfulness, Eli and all of his descendants were removed from their high position before the Lord and his people. Yet God did not leave his people without a priest. He appointed one more faithful, first Samuel, then Zadok, and finally and fully, Christ Jesus, who faithfully serves as our great high priest to this day (Heb 4:14-16; 7:26-28).

This was the will and plan of God, so that we need not worry about man’s faithfulness—or rather, faithlessness. Is your congregation without a pastor? Yet you have a faithful priest. Is your pastor faithless, scorning the Lord’s will? Nevertheless, you have a greater, higher priest. Is your pastor faithful, the best pastor you have ever had? Even still, he is only faithful because he serves the highest priest.

Our flesh dwells securely because we hope in Christ, not pastors and bishops—or even denominations. Because we live with such hope, we are carefree, able to give the widow’s mite and even our very lives (Rom 12:1), confessing Christ our great high priest and so, drawing near to the throne of grace.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, draw me ever nearer to the Father, through Jesus Christ my Lord and Priest. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by Mark Ryman, Communications Coordinator for the NALC and Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Advance, NC. 

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