June 27, 2026

Today's Reading: Introit for Trinity 4 - Psalm 27:3-4a, 5; antiphon: Psalm 27:1-2

Daily Lectionary: Joshua 2:1-24; Acts 8:26-40

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

In the beginning, God said, “Let there be light.” Out of the nothingness and darkness, God spoke, and light was created. And God said it was good. John’s gospel opens with “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God…the light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1, 5) The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? All this talk of light. Why? Because there is darkness in this life. There is suffering and hardship. And there are things we fear. On our own, we are left hurting and broken with no hope and no lasting help.

Sin breaks stuff. The world is broken, and so are we. The suffering we endure in this life, often as a consequence of our own sin, is persistent and heavy, and overpowering. The devil seeks to devour us. The world seeks to destroy us. Our sinful nature hates God and would call evil everything He has called good. The sinful flesh has reason to fear the darkness and shadow. 

But God is not afraid of the dark. God’s solution to this darkness and evil, and brokenness is not to turn His back on us. He does not leave us in the dark. He sends light and life. He sends Jesus. Jesus, the light no darkness can overcome. Jesus, who died that sinners might live eternally. Jesus, Who rose that we might also rise in Him to newness of life. There is much to fear, but you, dear child of God, need not fear. The Lord of life and death calls you His own. You have been given life and light, forgiveness and salvation, freely. You have been given the Gift of dwelling in the house of your God all the days of your life, now and in eternity. Though an army encamps against her, Jesus will not forsake His Bride, the Church, and that includes you. When you find yourself in the valley of the shadow of death, remember these words: Jesus is my light and salvation, Jesus is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus comes in joy and sorrow, shares alike out hopes and fears; Jesus comes whate’er befalls us, cheers our hearts and dries our tears; Alleluia! Alleluia! Comforts us in failing years. (LSB 353:4)

Deac. Emma Heinz, registrar for Higher Things.