GOD'S STEADFAST LOVE

"I will call upon You, for You will answer me, O God; incline Your ear to me; hear my words. Wondrously show Your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at Your right hand. (Ps. 17:6-7)

OUR FATHER, FRIEND, & COMPANION

"He is our Father, our Friend, & can be our Companion on the path of life. Such an association becomes the most cherished relationship in the world." W. Phillip Keller, Men's Devotional Bible

FAITH OR GOOD WORKS?

"Nevertheless, Scripture attributes both faith & good works not to our strength, but to God alone . . . If we have faith, then we need nothing more, for it brings with it the Holy Spirit, who not only teaches us all kinds of things but also makes it powerful, & leads us through death & hell to heaven . . . If faith is true, then it does good; if it does not do good, then it certainly is a dream & a false delusion about faith . . . Faith makes righteous, but works demonstrate this faith & righteousness . . . God wants us to let the righteousness that we have received in faith break forth, demonstrate itself, & benefit others, so that false faith becomes known & rooted out. God gives no one His grace so that it may lie down & be of no benefit, but so that it would give a good return, & through knowledge & outward public demonstration entice everyone to God. Christ says, 'Let your light shine among people so that they see your good works & praise your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:16) . . .So remain with this truth that man is justified inwardly in spirit before God only through faith without any works. However, externally & publicly before people & toward himself he is justified through works, that is, he knows & becomes certain that he is inwardly genuine, believing, & righteous." A Year in the Gospels with Martin Luther

WHILE THE EARTH REMAINS

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord & took some of every clean animal & some of every clean bird & offered burnt offerings on the altar. And when the Lord smelled the pleasing odor, the Lord said in His heart, "I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime & harvest, cold & heat, summer & winter, day & night, shall not cease." (Gen. 8:20-22)

God loves the world He created & sent His Son to take the curse of sin onto Himself, 'that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life' (John 3:16). All of us who trust in Him for salvation have been born anew in Baptism, created anew in Christ. When the time is right, at our Savior's return, God will renew & restore His creation . . . Anticipating that day, we look forward to 'new heavens & a new earth in which righteousness dwells' (2 Peter 3:13). We don't know exactly what that new creation will be like, but we know that we will live forever in our Savior's presence. Nothing will ever be the same again." The Lord's Mercy Endures Forever:  40 Daily Devotions of God's Comfort

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Lord Jesus, shield us in the many storms & trials that we face. Forgive us when we turn away from You & from Your Word to follow our own desires & the temptations of the world around us. Help us by Your Spirit to live as Your redeemed & renewed people until the day when we live in Your presence forever. Amen." Ditto

TODAY'S HYMN

Oh, That I Had a Thousand Voices," LSB #811, vs. 4-5

All creatures that have breath & motion, That throng the earth, the seas, the sky, Come, share with me my heart's devotion, Help me to sing God's praises high. My utmost pow'rs can never quite Declare the wonders of Your might.

 Creator, humbly I implore You To listen to my earthly song Until that day when I adore You, Together with the angel throng And learn with choirs of heav'n to sing Eternal anthems to my King.