Daily Devotion for Thursday 8/20/26
Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20
At a climactic point in Jesus’ ministry, God reveals to Peter that Jesus is “the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus responds with the promise of a church that will overcome the very gates of Hades.
Devotion
Who are you, really? Answers might include our relationships, work, joys and hobbies, our passions and interests. We remember our stories and our heritage. Life’s successes and joys live alongside our failures and hurts. But asking what others think of us? That always ends up short. Polite answers we hope. Yet others know little compared with an inner world that is ours alone. That is a humble focus. We don’t fully know others. Yet we are quick to put others in categories. It’s a bit risky for Jesus to ask such an open question. The disciple’ answers have difficulty looking deeper than the surface, trying to put Jesus in a container that easily defines him. Peter finally breaks through to a surprising answer that’s infinite, without boundaries. He points to a savior in relationship with a lively God, a bringer of shalom. A living God knows all of us, sinner and saint. That’s the key to life.
Prayer
Help us, God of truth, to be the truth that speaks of your love. Help our minds to seek those higher ways of grace and love, to uplift our world. Amen.
Mark R. Peterson '81 M.Div.,Luther Seminary
Daily Devotion for Wednesday 8/19/26
Second Reading: Romans 12:1-8
In response to God’s merciful activity, we are to worship by living holistic, God-pleasing lives. Our values and viewpoints are not molded by the time in which we live but are transformed by the Spirit’s renewing work. God’s grace empowers different forms of service among Christians, but all forms of ministry function to build up the body of Christ.
Devotion
Twentieth-century theologian Karl Barth envisioned a Christian as one who walks with a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. Paul teaches don’t be conformed to the world, but transformed by mental renewal, discerning what is good, acceptable, and perfect. Paul’s mention of being “perfect” could pull us into a complex discussion of grace and humility, community order and gifts! But at least for this day, let’s envision God’s grace as alive in our world, rather than living with anxiety over sin. Just dream! What if on a Sunday morning we would simply gather to read a local newspaper together and think of one or two concrete things we could do as members that would be our church’s weekly work in the world. Lift up that broken home? Speak for those oppressed? Teach and exhort wise truth? Cheerfully root for the best by grace? What a wonderful world that would be—focused outside our walls.
Prayer
Lord of all without favorites, we are gifted beyond our hopes and dreams to do your will. Help us to humbly unite under the Cross as one body, members of one another. Amen.
Mark R. Peterson '81 M.Div.,Luther Seminary
Daily Devotion for Tuesday 8/18/26
Psalm: Psalm 138
O Lord, your steadfast love endures forever.
Devotion
Martin Luther’s contribution to wisdom is that we are both sinners and saints at the same time. The world is not just black and white, either/or, perfect or imperfect, our side or the other. We are all simply living by grace alone, all craving steadfast, unconditional love. Tradition ascribes this psalm to King David. Now there was a man who knew both sides of life, and this psalm springs from that deeper knowledge of life. Trouble and protection, lowly and haughty, wrath and deliverance—one lives in a complex world that daily stands in the need of grace and a steady foundation of higher ways. We aren’t entitled. We all sin. Yet grace abounds. That greater gift invites our cheerfulness, praise, and thanksgiving. God’s grace lifts the sinner and humbles the saint. Can we say a good word about humility today? We are all sinners fallen short and grace-filled saints uplifted! Praise be to God!
Prayer
God of the nations of the earth, keep us humble as we live through this day. Increase the strength of our soul to bend us toward love, seeking true justice and giving thanks for your needed grace. Amen.
Mark R. Peterson '81 M.Div.,Luther Seminary
Daily Devotion for Monday 8/17/26
First Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6
Just as God had called Abraham and Sarah and given them many descendants, so now God offers comfort to Zion. God’s deliverance will come soon and will never end.
Devotion
We are swirling in a sea of voices asking for consideration—information overload, news fatigue, bubbles of information, lives lived in silos, endless breaking news. Is that something new? Isaiah asks repeatedly for a hearing, to get God’s good word into the distracted ears of a people. That is a very contemporary problem. Isaiah proclaims that God’s Word will give justice, life, joy, and gladness. Listen, he pleads, for here is a positive caring and just vision of hope for all nations! Yet Isaiah raises the question: Why does he even have to ask for a listen and look? Are we distracted by those other voices? How can God get a word in edgewise? Read Isaiah and then think of this 1964 quote from Eric Sevareid, “The biggest big business in America is not steel, automobiles, or television. It is the manufacture, refinement, and distribution of anxiety.” Now, listen again to Isaiah with fresh 2026 ears.
Prayer
Lord of all, you seek us out in the daily noise that surrounds our lives. Open our ears and our minds to honest truth, to gentle our hearts and direct us with hope for a peaceful world that finds joy in being together. Amen.
Mark R. Peterson '81 M.Div.,Luther Seminary