March 13, 2025
Today’s Reading: Catechism: The Creed – The First Article
Daily Lectionary: Genesis 11:27-12:20; Mark 4:21-41
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil. (Small Catechism: The Creed – The First Article, Explanation)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
“Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us, we tremble not, we fear no ill; they shall not overpower us.” Churches around the world sang these words this week after hearing how our Lord Jesus Christ overcame the devil and his temptations. These are words of sure confidence in the face of a powerful foe.
Although, let us not become overconfident. The devil is powerful, but he is also cunning. Scripture depicts him as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14), a prowling lion (1 Pet. 5:8), and a great liar and deceiver (Rev. 12:9). It would not be beyond that old serpent to throw a few battles and feign defeat in the hopes of winning the overall war for your soul.
Overconfidence happens when we turn from God’s provision and protection to our own powers. Overconfidence happens when our faith shifts from our heavenly Father to the strength of our own faith. Overconfidence is when we decide that it is God who needs the defense and protection and that we are the ones who can provide it.
God does not need our apologetics.
The confidence that we have in the face of the old, evil foe, the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, is the Truth. Not just any truth, but Truth with a capital T. Jesus is the Truth who stands up against the devil’s lies, even when they sound oh so sweet. And this Truth is God’s Word. He is the Word made flesh, and He cannot but speak the Word of God.
The Father sends us this Truth to defend us against all danger and guard and protect us from all evil. And it is this Truth upon which our faith rests and from which our confidence grows. Martin Luther’s famous hymn completes its third stanza with the ground of our confidence: “This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will, He can harm us none. He’s judged; the deed is done; One little word can fell him.”
Put your faith in God’s Word, in Jesus Christ and His Gospel, for the Father cannot deny His own Word. He will guard you and protect you against all danger and evil.
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
Though devils all the world should fill, All eager to devour us, We tremble not, we fear no ill; They shall not overpow’r us. ( LSB 656:3)
-Rev. Jacob Ehrhard, pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Chicago, IL.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.
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