Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America

Thursday after the First Sunday after Trinity Sunday

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Pastor Dulas under Devotions
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Scripture: St. Matthew 10:26-33 (NKJV)
 
10:26 Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.
 
27 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
 
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”
 
Devotion
 
Fear is a great motivator. Ever had someone point a gun at you? Then you know that fear is a great motivator. Jesus speaks of fear. He implies that those who hear His message in unbelief will take His Words as a threat. In retaliation, they will be motivated to persecute Christians. But, Jesus encourages His followers to not fear those who might kill them because of their faith and witness in Him. Persecutors can kill the body of believers, but not their soul. We should fear the one who can kill the body and the soul in hell. And that One is not the devil; that One is God. God will punish the devil and his demons, along with all unbelievers in hell. So fear, love, and trust in God, not the devil and his demons, or those who persecute you for your faith.
 
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things. Fear not what men can do to you. Those who deny Christ before men, Christ will deny before His Father in heaven. But confess Christ before men and Christ will confess you as His before His Father, and you will live with Him, forever.
 
Prayer: O God, the Strength of all them that put their trust in Thee: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because through the weakness of our mortal nature we can do no good thing without Thee, grant us the help of Thy grace, that in keeping Thy commandments we may please Thee, both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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