Home > Reading > NALC Devotions – November 23, 2017

Today’s readings: Nehemiah 1:1-11; Revelation 5:11–6:11; Matthew 13:18-23

Is there any hope for this world? See the horses and their riders? First comes greed and its cousin, war. Then comes the bloody violence of war. Lack of food follows. And finally, Death and Hades gallop on to the scene. It seems to be hopeless. Yet the next scene gives us hope. Under the altar are those who had been martyred for the faith. Though they had been killed for their faith on earth, they are now at rest in heaven.

All is not lost. For those who delight to fear God’s name, there is great and certain hope despite what experience would have us believe. Take care, lest life turn your heart into a hard-packed, rocky, or weedy soil. Hear the word of the kingdom and understand. There is more than this life. There is a life to come. Still, there is more at work in this life than meets the eye. Be thankful and delight to fear, love, and trust the Lord every day, so that your very life becomes an abundant harvest of a faithful heart.

Prayer: Help me to delight to fear you, O God, and trust in your love. 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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