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Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.
Exodus 24:9-11

God Invites His People to See His Glory

Daily Devotion – February 24, 2023

Devotion based on Exodus 24:9-11

See series: Devotions

Would you like to see God? I think most people would say, “Yes, that would be amazing to see God with my own eyes!” We may want to see God, but we probably forget that our eyes are not qualified to see him in all his glory. Many times in the Old Testament, when a person came face to face with God’s glory, they trembled with fear. For a puny human sinner to gaze upon the full perfection and glory of God is beyond our pay-grade.

That’s why what happened at Mount Sinai in Exodus chapter 24 is so unexpected. Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. It’s stated so simply and matter of fact. They saw God. And he looked glorious. But here’s the most amazing thing–God did not raise his hand against them. Even though they should have had no business standing before God in all his glory, God let them be there in his presence. They even ate and drank there as they saw him.

Standing in the presence our glorious and perfect God is above our pay-grade. God should hide his face from us because of our unworthiness and sin. But instead, God smiles his face upon us and looks on us with favor and kindness. Because of the cross on Mount Calvary we are allowed into the presence of our God. Jesus, God’s Son, has made the imposing God of Mount Sinai approachable. God invites his people to see his glory because Jesus has already draped us in his robe of perfection and holiness. We can approach God without fear. And one day, we will be able to eat and drink with God at the banquet table of heaven.

Prayer:
Dear glorious Lord, thank you for inviting me into your presence and letting me share in your glory. 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.

We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
2 Peter 1:19

Pay Attention to the Light

Daily Devotion – February 23, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Peter 1:19

See series: Devotions

What would you do if the batteries of your flashlight died while exploring deep in a dark cave? There are only a couple of options, neither of which sounds great. You could either sit there and yell out, hoping someone with a light comes to rescue you. Or you could try to feel your way through the darkness and hope you don’t get lost further in the cave or stumble down a pit. Either way, your chances of getting out of that cave aren’t great.

But if someone started coming toward you in the dark cave with a light, what would you do? You wouldn’t just sit there and ignore it. You’d put all your attention and focus onto that light. That light is your way out. Your life depends on it! That light would be all you care about at that point.

In our Bible verse for today, the Word of God, is compared to a light shining in a dark place. As people living in the darkness of this world and of our own sin, we do well to pay attention to that light above all else. We look to the Word of God as something completely reliable. That Word of God lights up our world and lets us walk on the right path. Most importantly, God’s Word shows us Jesus and what he has done to save us from our sins. It’s no wonder God wants us to pay attention to the light of his Word!

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for giving me your reliable Word to be a light for me in the dark. Keep my attention focused on that Word each and every day. 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 they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
Matthew 17:8

Just Jesus

Daily Devotion – February 22, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 17:8

See series: Devotions

Peter, James, and John had just seen their humble teacher, Jesus, transfigured into a shining and glorious version of himself. Jesus showed them a glimpse of who he truly was as the Son of God. The three disciples also saw two great prophets from long ago: Moses and Elijah. Seeing Jesus in all his glory and hearing the voice of God the Father speak from the heavens must have made the three disciples feel very small and unworthy. In fact, after they heard the voice from heaven, “they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.”

But Jesus came over to them, touched them, and said, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” At that point they looked and saw no one except Jesus. Moses and Elijah were gone. The voice from the cloud was gone. Jesus wasn’t shining with the light of the sun anymore. He was normal looking Jesus again. But he was all Peter, James, and John really needed. The bright glory of heaven they glimpsed on the mountain would be theirs again one day. But right now, they needed their Savior and the humiliation of death he was about to undergo for them. They didn’t need all that glory yet. They did need their Savior now. As great as it was seeing all the glory of God there on the mountain, what they really needed to see was…just Jesus.

This is ultimately what we need to see—just Jesus. The glory of God is too bright and overwhelming for us poor sinners. We needed God to come to us when we could never approach him. So, he did. Jesus, God himself, came to earth in our flesh and blood to be one of us so he could die for us in our place. If we want to know God, we look to Jesus. He is the one who allows us to come to the Father. He is the one who makes us worthy of all the glory of God by sharing the glory of his resurrection with us. This is what we need—just Jesus.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for coming as one of us in order to save me. Thank you for being our Way to the Father and glory everlasting. 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.

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”
Matthew 17:5

Listen to My Son

Daily Devotion – February 21, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 17:5

See series: Devotions

When Jesus was baptized, God the Father’s voice boomed down from heaven saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” When Jesus went up on the Mount of Transfiguration and showed himself in all his shining glory as the Son of God, the Father once again said the very same thing about Jesus. God the Father was putting his stamp of authenticity and approval on Jesus. However, this time God the Father added something. He said, “This is my Son…Listen to him!”

Jesus’ words are trustworthy and true. When he speaks, he speaks also for God the Father. This is good news because Jesus has very good things to say to you. He has spoken great promises to you. Listen to Jesus and trust him when he says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Listen to Jesus and trust him when he says, “Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” Listen to Jesus and trust him when he says, “If I go and prepare a place for you [in heaven], I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

Jesus has the stamp of approval from God. It’s like God the Father slapped a “double your money back guarantee” sticker on Jesus that day. Jesus is the real deal. His words are authentic and trustworthy. He has the words of eternal life for us. His love and his promises to us are guaranteed. We want to listen to our Savior. We can’t wait to listen to our Savior.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, you have the words of eternal life. I listen to you, knowing that you are always working for my good as the Son of God. 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.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
Matthew 17:4

It’s Good for Us to Be Here

Daily Devotion – February 20, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 17:4

See series: Devotions

The sun is shining. The sand slips between your toes. The sound of the waves lulls you to sleep. Relaxing on a beach vacation might make you think to yourself, “It is good to be here.” But vacation doesn’t last forever. Eventually you have to leave. You have to go back to reality.

The disciple Peter wasn’t on vacation, but he had good reason to say, “it is good for us to be here,” when he hiked to a mountaintop with Jesus. All of a sudden, Jesus’ face shone like the sun. His clothes glowed with light. Moses and Elijah, two of the greatest Old Testament prophets from the past, showed up and talked with Jesus! Peter couldn’t help it. The scene overtook him, and he blurted out, “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” It was an amazing place to be, in the presence of all this glory, seeing Jesus for who he really was.

Peter was right. That was an amazing place to be. But the moment couldn’t last forever. Jesus still had a job to do, and it involved some dark days ahead as he walked to the cross loaded with the world’s sin. The disciples had to face some tough days ahead, too, not only the death of their friend and Savior but also persecution as they spread the word about him.

One day Jesus will bring all of us to eternal glory, to stand with him in the heavenly Mount Zion. In that day, we will say, “it is good for us to be here,” and we will never have to leave. But, until then, we still live in the reality of a sinful world. Yet, even now, we can live in this often-difficult place knowing that Jesus didn’t stay on the Mount of Transfiguration. He best showed us who he was by going up Mount Calvary to save the world by dying on the cross. Now, no matter what place we find ourselves in, we rejoice that Jesus joins us in the highs, the lows, and everywhere in-between.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing me who you truly are. 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.

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
Matthew 17:1,2

Our Extraordinary Savior

Daily Devotion – February 19, 2023

Devotion based on Matthew 17:1,2

See series: Devotions

Can you remember a special event from your life that stands out from the ordinary daily routine? You might have bright and vivid memories of a wedding day, the birth of a child or a move to a new home.

One day, Jesus invited three of his disciples to experience an extraordinary event they would not forget. The disciples witnessed the Savior, whose body beamed with blinding brilliance as he was illumined in heavenly glory. So glorious was this event that Peter wanted the moment to continue.

Jesus graciously shares this special moment with us too. By faith in the Word, we are transported to the mountaintop to stand alongside Peter, James, and John to behold Jesus in all his brilliance. Our eyes witness his majesty. Our ears are captivated by the cloud-enveloped voice of the heavenly Father, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

On that day with his disciples, the light that emanated from Jesus did not linger long. Soon Jesus descended the mountain, destined to die in the darkness of the cross. Our glorious God bore our shame and guilt to win the pure light of life and forgiveness for us.

Jesus has not promised that every moment of our earthly lives will be free from sorrow and trouble. Jesus has told us that there will be days of suffering and tears. Yet each day–even those that are clouded by darkness and difficulty–Jesus extends to us the extraordinary light of his love. He cheers us with the unchanging message of his gospel and points us to the promised light of eternal day in heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for setting aside your glory to suffer and die for my sins. Fill my life with your love and forgiveness through the light of your powerful Word. 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.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11,12

A Quiet Life

Daily Devotion – February 18, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:11,12

See series: Devotions

Christians, be careful how you live. Your conduct can have significant influence on people around you. If your behavior is disreputable, you serve to deflect people from giving attention to the gospel. On the other hand, putting God’s love into practice may attract people who want to learn more about the beliefs and biblical values that you live by.

God wants you to live everyday in a manner that “may win the respect of outsiders”—those who are not believers. A “quiet life” is the way he terms it. That means “to mind your own business.” Don’t be a busybody—a person who has the reputation of meddling in other people’s lives. That kind of conduct is not a good Christian example and will close doors to opportunities for sharing the gospel.

God also instructs you “to work with your hands.” He does not want you to be a loafer, who by your irresponsibility, forces others to help and support you. You can see what kind of roadblocks that kind of lifestyle would raise for the cause of the gospel. Instead, as you are able, work honestly and ambitiously. The good reputation you gain among people may lead some to want to know about the work that Christ accomplished to save them.

Prayer:
Lord God, make me faithful in my daily life so that all I say and do may glorify you and serve to bring the gospel to more people. 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 while Joab had the city under siege, he put Uriah at a place where he knew the strongest defenders were. When the men of the city came out and fought against Joab, some of the men in David’s army fell; moreover, Uriah the Hittite died.
2 Samuel 11:16,17

Chain Reactions

Daily Devotion – February 17, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Samuel 11:16,17

See series: Devotions

When David saw Bathsheba bathing on the roof and lusted for her, there’s no way he could have known that it would end up with the murder of one of his best fighting men, Uriah. And yet, that’s exactly where the path of sin led David. Sin is like a bunch of firecrackers tied together. David lit the fuse with a lustful look, but the sin didn’t end there. Adultery, lies, drunkenness, conspiracy, manipulation, murder. Each sin exploding bigger and louder than the last.

Not only that, but David roped many others into his sins as well. From the messengers sent to bring Bathsheba to him to the commander of his army, Joab. Even the army’s enemies served as David’s hitmen.

It’s safe to say that David didn’t intend to plunge headlong into such recklessly self-destructive behavior, but once the fuse was lit, David couldn’t find the courage to put it out.

One of the temptations of sin is that it will be “one and done.” Just one lustful look. Just one click. Just one message. Just one lie. Just one sin. But sin is rarely ever just “one and done.” It’s more like lighting the fuse of a chain of firecrackers. One sin sets off a chain reaction of sins. And the more we sin, the more consequences and the more people get dragged into it.

Those sins deserve punishment. David deserved to die for his sins. But the apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Instead of punishing us, God punished his Son in our place. And instead of leaving our sins chained to us, Jesus freed us from sin so that we can live the holy life to which he calls us. Jesus’ promises of love and forgiveness give us the strength to stomp out the lit fuse of sin.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me and for forgiving me. Help me to take sin seriously and to not fall into temptation. 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.

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.
2 Samuel 11:2-4

See God’s Blessings

Daily Devotion – February 16, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Samuel 11:2-4

See series: Devotions

It started with an innocent walk on the roof. King David wanted some fresh air, and no better place for that than the roof of his palace. From there, he could see the heights to which he had climbed. He was no longer a forgotten shepherd boy toiling in the field with sheep. Now everyone knew King David. From his vantage point David could see the peace and prosperity his military victories had obtained.

King David was on top of the world. He could see it with his eyes. But those same eyes lingered too long where they shouldn’t have. That long look turned lustful. It could have ended there. David could have reminded himself that he was married. He found out that Bathsheba was married. He could have repented of his sin and turned away. He could have left Bathsheba alone and reminded himself of how richly God had blessed him. But he didn’t. And what happened next is one of the saddest chapters in the whole Bible. It reminds us of the power of sin; even a sin that starts small can snowball into sins with life changing consequences.

Like King David, our eyes are so quick to see what we don’t have instead of what we do have. We let our eyes linger on things for too long. We let our thoughts wander down destructive desires. We scheme up ways to fulfill sinful wants. And we quickly forget all that God has blessed us with.

We can fight the temptation to sin by reminding ourselves of the wonderful things that God has given to us. Remember the blessings that God promises to give to his people. And remember that the one making those promises, Jesus, is on your side.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to fight temptation. Remind me of your love and your blessings. 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.