These devotions
are written by Pastor David Westphal, Zion Lutheran Church,
Wheeling, WV.. They are also
available by direct email for those who request it.
Contact Pastor Westphal at
dwestphal22@comcast.net
and say that you would like the devotions in your email daily.
2006
Easter Devotions
Thursday, May 18
Psalm 98 |
1
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.
2 The LORD has made his salvation known
and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love
and his faithfulness to the house of Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God.
4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
5 make music to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
6 with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—
shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
7 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands,
Let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing
before the LORD,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
and the peoples with equity. |
"...he has remembered his love and his
faithfulness to the house of Israel..." |
Remembering the love and faithfulness of someone can
be a sacred moment. The other night, for instance, I
found myself missing intensely my late wife Helen. As I
lay in bed after everyone in the house was asleep, I
could not help but remember her love and her partnership
with me in life. While it saddened me because I miss her
deeply, it also filled me with great joy remembering the
love we shared and faithfulness which marked our life
together. I am sure those feelings will never be erased.
That love and faithfulness will last forever.
Remembering, too, the love and faithfulness of God can
also be a holy time. Looking at the cross and knowing
beyond a shadow of a doubt the amazing and awesome love
of God sets us back. It takes our breath away. It is
difficult to look at the image of the crucified Lord and
not be transformed. He who died for us revealed the
might, power and eternalness of God’s love.
The same is true for God’s faithfulness. Who among us
has not been humbled by God’s gracious forgiveness?
Having sinned, fallen, and broken our relationship with
Lord lays upon most of us a tremendous burden. But God,
who is faithful to the promise of life, forgives -
relieves us the burden, and sets us free from sin and
death. How can anyone remember that overpowering love
and not discover refreshment and renewal?
God’s love is great and God’s faithfulness is eternal.
As we remember those gifts, may we discover anew the
gracious relationship our Lord gives us, and lift our
hearts, souls and minds in praise and thanksgiving. |
|
Holy God, your love and
faithfulness come to us anew each moment. Bring into
remembrance this day all that you have done for me
that I may publically praise your name and give
glory to you with my whole life. Amen.
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