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Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
Exodus 3:13,14

The Great I AM

Daily Devotion – June 15, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 3:13,14

See series: Devotions

“Does that name mean anything to you?” You might drop a name and then pause and ask that question. You want to know if not just the name, but the person is familiar. Do recognize who this person is and what he has done?

If Moses went to the Israelites on God’s behalf, he wanted to drop a name that meant something. So the Lord revealed his name which means something powerful. “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

In the previous verses, Moses got hung up on who he was. He asked, “Who am I.” God answered that self-conscious fear by saying, “I AM WHO I AM.” That’s his name; he is the great I AM. Moses was able to serve not because of who he was but because of who the Lord is. He is the great I AM. That name means so much.

His name is not “I was,” as though he used to care. His name is not “I will be,” as though he is presently unable to act. He is who he is, not just in the moment but for eternity. His name I AM means that he is unchanging. It means that he exists in a realm of his own—there is no one else like him. He does not merely dwell in temples built by human hands. He does not exist only in our imaginations. He Is. He is the Great I AM. I AM, Yahweh or Jehovah in Hebrew and often translated LORD (in all capital letters), is the name associated with God’s boundless love and his promise of salvation. For you this name means salvation and eternal life.

Prayer:
Lord, I am limited in many ways. But you are the Great I AM. Increase my faith that I may always trust in your unchanging love. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.”
Exodus 3:11,12

Who am I?

Daily Devotion – June 14. 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 3:11,12

See series: Devotions

“Who, me?” When someone pays you a compliment or acknowledges your work, a natural response is to deflect attention from yourself. “Who, me?” When tasked with a responsibility, we may feel the urge to deflect attention and ask, “Who am I?”

When Moses was tasked with going to Pharaoh and leading God’s people, his first response was, “Who, me?” “Who am I?” he asked. As a baby, God rescued him from genocide when his mother floated him down the Nile River in a basket. He was found and raised by royalty. But then he murdered an Egyptian slave driver when he saw a fellow Israelite being mistreated. He fled to the land of Midian, and there he lived a quiet life for decades as a shepherd. Now the Lord was calling him?

It might seem like Moses was modestly deflecting attention when he said, “Who am I?” but he was putting too much attention and focus on himself. He was relying on himself: his personality, his track record, his abilities. As long as he focused on himself, he failed to rest and rely on the love and strength of the Lord.

It’s good for us to take an honest look at ourselves and not think too highly of ourselves, especially before God. But don’t dwell on the question, “Who am I?” and miss who your God is and what he has done for you. Your salvation and eternal life, doesn’t rest on your personality or abilities. Rely on Jesus Christ and who he is. He is your Savior who laid down his life for you! “Who, me?” Yeah, you! And he is with you to guide, comfort, and strengthen because that’s who he is. In the life he calls you to live, rely on who he is and what he has done.

Prayer:
Lord, give me true humility to shift the attention from me and my efforts and trust only and always in you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

“And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
Exodus 3:9,10

He Listens and Acts

Daily Devotion – June 13, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 3:9,10

See series: Devotions

“Does anyone see what I’m really going through? Do they see my true struggles beneath the surface? Does anyone hear my cries for help and support?” It can be frustrating when we are hurting and in need; it feels like we are not being heard. It can be a very isolating feeling when our cry for help goes unnoticed.

It may have seemed that way for the people of Israel as they were oppressed in Egypt. “Does God see what we’re going through? Does he hear our cry for help?” It had been over 400 years since the Lord had spoken directly to his people. It seemed like radio silence from God. Was he listening? Was he watching?

He saw. He heard. He acted. He saw their pain and suffering. He heard their cry for help. He acted. God broke the centuries of silence when he came to Moses and said, “Go, I’m sending you.” Really, all the while God hadn’t been silent or sleeping. He had spoken to the forefathers of the Israelites and given them promises of countless blessings and his enduring love. Moses was sent to proclaim that those promises still stood.

The Lord sees. He hears. He acted. The Lord sees the oppression of sin on every human being. He hears the distressed cries of every heart, who feel the guilt of their sins. And he acted to set us free from the oppression of sin. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to set you free from sin’s slavery.

Now, many years after Jesus acted in ultimate love to free us from sin, God is not silent or sleeping. We have his words and his promises which still stand today. He sends his servants to teach his Word and proclaim the truth about what Jesus has done. He sees. He hears. He speaks through his Word.

Prayer:
Lord, you hear my cries for help, and you answer. Open my ears to hear your words and promises in Scripture. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.” “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Then he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God.
Exodus 3:4-6

Standing Before God

Daily Devotion – June 12, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 3:4-6

See series: Devotions

You’re outside, and suddenly, someone calls out your name. You turn and see fire engulfing a nearby shrub, but it doesn’t burn up. The one calling you identifies himself: the only true and living God. You are standing before God; himself. What would your initial reaction be?

Perhaps your initial reaction wouldn’t be that different from Moses, who hid his face when he had this very experience. After all, who can stand before a holy God? We have sinned. We are imperfect. Who can stand before God and live?

You can. It’s true that if you tried to stand on your own two feet, based on the good you think you’ve done, you would surely fall! But the true and living God is a loving and forgiving God. And because of his love and forgiveness, we can one day stand before God in his holy presence in heaven.

One thousand five hundred years after God appeared to Moses at the burning bush, he came down in a greater yet less threatening way. Jesus Christ, true God from eternity and the one who spoke to Moses at the burning bush, came to lay down his life so that you stand forgiven before God. God doesn’t come to meet us at a burning bush. Instead, he has chosen to come to us and speak through the words of the Bible. And because of what he tells us there, you don’t need to hide your face in fear. You can listen to the good news your God has for you.

Prayer:
Lord, give me the confidence to stand before you not on my merits but by your love and mercy. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:12-14

Our Confidence in Christ

Daily Devotion – June 11, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Timothy 1:12-14

See series: Devotions

Do you ever wonder why God would want you to be a member of his family of believers? We would like to think that there was something in us God liked. But are we really being honest? Would you buy a soft and spoiling melon from the melon box? Think of my question that way. Why would the Maker of this universe choose sinning creatures like us to know him as “Father”?

John Newton wrote, “Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me.” He had lived a shameful life, but God had delivered him. “Amazing grace.” When God commissioned Saul of Tarsus to preach the gospel, saying in effect, “Not by angels and seraphim but by your speaking shall the world hear of the glory of God,” the apostle marveled at God’s amazing grace.

Take a turn up and down the memory lane of your sins. Can we honestly not begin to shake with disgust at our blasphemies, persecutions, and ignorance? Then remember that God doesn’t turn away from us in disgust. He took all those sins, even those we don’t remember, and placed them on Jesus. He turned away from Jesus in disgust and now looks at us in love. God says, “I remember your sins no more.”

God wraps his righteousness around us, covers us by his grace, and clothes us with his salvation. Remember the staggering promises God has given us in place of our deserved punishment. How can that grace not sweep us into a refreshed gratitude and deeper active appreciation?

May we always be amazed and grateful.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know there is nothing in me that would cause you to want me to be part of your family. And so I am eternally grateful for your love that caused you to rescue me from my sins so that I could be adopted as your child. Thank you. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14

God Is Always With Us

Daily Devotion – June 10, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 13:14

See series: Devotions

These special words written by the apostle Paul in our Bible reading today aren’t just a pious wish that God would be with his people and bless them. Instead, he’s reminding us as Christians that God is with us. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—the one true God is ALWAYS with us to give us his great gifts.

In one way, however, it is terrifying to know that God is always present. He knows the greedy, doubtful, or vengeful thoughts we have. He hears the angry or bitter or immoral words we speak. He witnesses the loveless, selfish, and hurtful ways we treat others. The almighty, perfect God knows our sin, hears it, sees it, and hates it.

Yet that almighty, perfect God doesn’t forsake us. Rather, he stays with us and blesses us with his grace. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, he takes away our guilt for every sinful thought, word, and deed. In love, God our Father sent his Son to be our Savior. He forgives our sin and gives us the gift of eternal life. And, every day, he provides for all our needs and protects us from all harm and danger. He also blesses us through the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the gospel, the Holy Spirit brought us to faith in Jesus. He continues to work through God’s Word to keep us connected to Jesus and joins us together with other Christians in the bond of faith.

Blessed with the grace, love, and fellowship of God, we are glad to live each day with the confidence that God is always with us.

Prayer:
Be and abide with me always, O God, with your power and with your love. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14

United in God

Daily Devotion – June 9, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 13:14

See series: Devotions

Jesus once prayed that God’s people would be as close and unified as the triune God. He wanted us to be one as the Father, the Son, and Spirit are one. (See John 17:21-23.) Unfortunately, that is not exactly what we experience today. Among God’s people, there is bickering, backbiting, and dissension.

The apostle Paul had a similar experience in the churches he started, especially in Corinth. In this church, the people were divided over their favorite pastor, some were boasting of their acceptance of sin, and others were trying to discredit Paul and his message. These problems caused the church to be splintered and hostile.

Paul knew that Jesus desired his church to be completely unified. So he worked to lead God’s people to repent and forgive each other. In love, he spoke forcefully about the work of Satan among them, begging them to leave their wicked ways and unite around the truth.

Paul could not accomplish this goal on his own. That’s why he closed his letter with this blessing. He asked for the “grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” to be on the Corinthians. They needed to remember that their status with God was based on the grace of Jesus Christ. He prayed for the “love of God” the Father to be on them. He wanted the congregation to love one another as the Father loved them. Finally, just as they were united with God through “the fellowship Holy Spirit,” Paul wanted them to be united with one another.

We need this same blessing spoken over us. We, too, experience division and discord in the family of God. We need our God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to give us his grace, love, and presence. As we are united with God through the work of the Holy Spirit, we can begin to be united with one another.

Prayer:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all so that we may be one as our God is one. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27

Let Us Make Mankind In Our Image

Daily Devotion – June 8, 2023

Devotion based on Genesis 1:27

See series: Devotions

Sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between humans and the other creatures in God’s world. For example, I find myself talking to my dog like she is just another family member. But humans are different from animals. On the very first page of the Bible, God says that humans, both male, and female, were made in God’s image, in his likeness.

One of the primary characteristics of God is love. God’s love is not just a warm feeling; but an action. We see this eternal love displayed at Jesus’ baptism. When Jesus came out of the water, the Father spoke from heaven, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit was there too, resting on Jesus, empowering him to serve.

Jesus’ baptism gives a window into an eternal reality. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have always loved one another. As God’s image-bearers, we were created to mirror that love in the world. Unfortunately, that’s not who we have always been. We have not loved one another as God has loved us.

That’s why we needed a new kind of human to enter our world. The God-man, Jesus Christ. He lived a life of complete selfless love to the point of death. He conquered death through his glorious resurrection. Because of the work of the Son, the Father now says to us, “You are my child, whom I love. With you, I am well pleased.” The Holy Spirit now rests on us and empowers us to love as God’s image-bearers.

So take up your place in God’s created world. You are more than a mere creature. You were made to be like God, to love as he loves us.

Prayer:
Lord God, you created me to be more than just a mere creature, satisfying my own desires. You created me in your image, in your likeness. As a forgiven child of God, give me your Holy Spirit so I would love. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1,2

The True God Has Reclaimed His Creation

Daily Devotion – June 7, 2023

Devotion based on Genesis 1:1,2

See series: Devotions

How do you imagine the first moments of creation? The Bible tells us there was a kind of chaos. “The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep.” Our world was a disordered mess. But then God spoke and formed new structures—light and darkness, skies and water, dry land and vegetation.

Sadly, after God created a perfect place for his people, a new type of chaos came into our world. As a result of the disobedience of the first man and woman, the darkness of evil and selfishness became a reality. In his love, God the Father continues to create humans to inhabit this world. Even more remarkably, he sent his Son to pay for the sins of the world. And the Holy Spirit now works in the hearts of men and women to trust that what Jesus did; he did for them.

And still, our triune God is not finished. He promises to return one day to make all things new, to make a new heaven and a new earth, to put all things back the way they are supposed to be. Until that day, let us trust our Creator, Savior, and divine Counselor to love us, be with us, and give our lives meaning and purpose, even in the chaos.

Prayer:
Lord God, you created all things by your power. Create in me a new heart that trusts you and wants to follow you wherever you want me to go. Amen.

Daily Devotions are brought to you by WELS and www.WhatAboutJesus.com.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.