June 16th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

UNDERSTAND WHAT THE LORD’S WILL IS

Ephesians 5:17 “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”   

Jesus taught you to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done . . .” Luther asks, “What does this mean?” He answers, “It means that the good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.” “How is this done?” “God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come: and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die. This is His good and gracious will.” (Luther’s Small Catechism) 

What is the will of God? 1 Timothy 2:4 answers, “ . . . God our Savior . . . wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This is God’s will because He “ . . . did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17) His Son came into the world to give you a life that will never end. Jesus said, “ . . . I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)  

God is your heavenly Father. As your Father He uses His almighty power to guard you “through your faith. . .” (1 Peter 1:5) He supports you each and every day of your life until you die. Therefore, nothing is able to separate you from Him because of His love for you which is yours in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:39) 

Prayer: Thank You Father for Your love for me in Christ Jesus my Lord and Savior. Amen. 

The will of God is always best And shall be done forever;
And they who trust in Him are blest; He will forsake them never.
He helps indeed In time of need; He chastens with forbearing.
They who depend On God, their friend, Shall not be left despairing. 

God is my comfort and my trust, My hope and life abiding;
And to His counsel, wise and just, I yield, in Him confiding.
The very hairs, His Word declar4es, Upon my head He numbers.
By night and day God is my stay; He never sleeps nor slumbers. 

Lord, this I ask, O hear my plea, Deny me not this favor;
When Satan sorely troubles me; Then do not let me waver,
O guard me well, My fear dispel, Fulfill Your faithful saying;
All who believe By grace receive An answer to their praying. 

When life’s brief course on earth is run And I this world am leaving,
Grant me to say, “Your will be done.” Your faithful Word believing.
My dearest Friend, I now commend My soul into Your keeping;
From sin and hell, And death as well, By You the vict’ry reaping.  (LSB 758)