Watch the Devotion

Based on John 21:1-14

If you have lived in or around a military installation, you know the power of our military war machine. During my last 20 years as a pastor, I’ve lived near three military installations: Fort Knox, Ky.; an Air Reserve base in Atlanta; and here in San Diego. Miramar is right outside my window. The power of an Abrams M1A2 120mm round that shook our house. The power of a C-130 roaring overhead. I’ve sat behind a .50 machine gun mounted to the top of a Humvee at the range, and the power of that weapon pulsed through my body. I have a friend here in San Diego who texted me, “I almost drove off the road today watching the V22s flying overhead!” The power of our nation’s military is awesome.

When Jesus lived on earth as the God-man, he flexed his divinity from time to time. He healed those with incurable diseases. He provided food for 5,000 men, besides the women and children, with a few fish and loaves of bread. He cast demons out of those imprisoned by Satan. He raised the dead. But the most powerful display of his power was his own rising from the dead on Easter Sunday. No one has done that . . . raised their own body from the grave.

After his resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared to his disciples to prove that his resurrection power was to benefit them. Some time after Easter Sunday, the disciples had gone fishing on the Sea of Galilee. They didn’t catch a thing all night. As the sun was peaking over the eastern hills, they started for shore and a man on the beach called out across the water, “Did you catch anything?”

“No, sir, not a single fish.”

“Cast your nets on the other side of the boat.”

Immediately the nets were so full of fish they threatened to sink the boats and threatened to break the nets, but they didn’t. John records that the nets were full of 153 large fish. I can’t help but imagine the disciples looking at each other and thinking, Hey, we’ve been here before. About three and a half years prior, Jesus performed a similar miracle. And now, here they were, sitting on the beach with their resurrected Lord Jesus, eating fish. The living Jesus opened their eyes to the power of his resurrection.

That same power is working for you and for your benefit. And I know you don’t always see it, and you don’t always feel it. I don’t either. Especially when finances are tight, and the future of our country is in question. Yet Jesus promises to use his power to provide daily bread for you.

When you feel lonely during deployment, he promises, “I am with you. I will provide others to be with you.”

When you are afraid, he promises, “I am your strength, your peace.” When others share these same feelings with you and you wonder what to say to them, you know they need Jesus. He is your confidence. Just say the words, his words, and watch the power of his words at work in your heart and in the hearts of others. You will say, “That was awesome!” That’s the power of the resurrected and living Lord Jesus in your life right now.

What I want you to do is this: Allow the power of our nation’s military to serve as a reminder of this truth. Every time you feel the power of the .50 on the range, the roar of the Blue Angels, an aircraft as it is jettisoned off the carrier, the artillery round or patriot missile going downrange, or the Abrams tank or Bradley or the V22s flying overhead, I want you to think of him who has all power, all authority, and who uses it for your good.

Then go to his Word and let the power of his words work on your heart and in the hearts of those you share it with. That resurrection power is for you right now.

Prayer:

On May 1 our nation paused to recognize Silver Star Banner Day. We thank you for those members of our military who have been awarded the Silver Star, for those who showed distinguished valor in combat. This day we also recognized the sacrifices of the ill, the wounded, and the dying service personnel and their family members.

Lord, thank you for those who have sacrificed so much for us and for our nation. For both those living and those who grieve the dead, grant them strength, patience, and reliance on you and your power for them. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

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. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.