Daily Devotional

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.

The 2024 Summer Olympics begin today with the opening ceremonies. For sixteen days, some of the world’s greatest athletes will compete for personal and national pride. They have been training for years with one goal, to win a gold medal. The Olympics are one of the most exciting sporting events in the world.

One of the most beautifully written scriptures is Isaiah, chapter 40. It is a chapter filled with comfort, peace, and hope. Isaiah 40 declares the eternal presence, strength, and mercy of our God. The words of this chapter declare a powerful hope at work in the world.

Opportunities to be kind often present themselves in unexpected ways. When these opportunities arrive, we need to be ready to respond in a way that demonstrates the love of God that has been revealed to us through our Lord, Jesus. The challenge is to be kind when it is inconvenient. When we find our planned moments interrupted, we must dig in and remember who we are called to be.

I love Back to the Future—the movie was released while I was in college and my friends, and I managed to see it several times. We loved the music, adored Michael J. Fox and appreciated a movie that was part rom-com, part time-travel, and a bit science fiction; this one checked all the boxes.

The scriptures are filled with poignant reminders of God’s love for us. In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 10, we find Jesus preparing the disciples to go and teach the world about God’s kingdom. Jesus knows they will face difficult times, just like each of us faces struggles. Jesus tells them, over and over, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus wants us to know that we will encounter trials, but we are not alone. We are cared for by our God, who loves us.

“Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

In the summer of 2002, my best friend and I took a trip to celebrate graduating high school. One of our stops was New York City. We saw all the sights you are supposed to see in the Big Apple and went to see the musical Rent on Broadway. Outside of a high school production, I hadn’t experienced a musical live on stage, so I was really excited to see my first Broadway show…and it did not disappoint.

This Sunday we begin the St. Luke’s on Broadway sermon series. it is a worship service that is uplifting and inspirational. The music is thrilling. The sermons always have a powerful story and challenge. St. Luke’s on Broadway is truly a joyful time.

As we continue the Year in the Bible at St. Luke’s, we are now reading through the Book of Isaiah. The book of Isaiah is the longest prophetic book. The book begins with Isaiah, who receives a vision to go and speak to the people on behalf of God. Isaiah is to invite the people back to faithfulness to the God who saved them. Isaiah proclaims that God is holy and above all. It is God who would redeem Israel. Through this book, God’s people are called to obedience while trusting in God’s goodness, knowing that God will act today, tomorrow, and in the future.