Today Daily Devotional

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

— Isaiah 40:1

The book of Isaiah is sometimes called “the gospel of the Old Testament” because it announces the good news (gospel) of the coming of God’s servant, the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. In chapters 1-39, Isaiah writes about history. And in the rest of the book he delivers a message of comfort, restoration, and hope.Comfort has its source in God. Only the Lord can bring peace to the human soul. Only God can forgive sins, and only in God do we find redemption.True comfort does not come from earthly things. It does not come from people. Comfort comes from God.We cannot find full comfort in various therapies or in self-help psychology. True comfort cannot be found on a couch or in a gym. We do not find our greatest comfort by enjoying the most splendid vacations or the most appetizing pleasures. Comfort cannot be acquired with money or inherited from parents. Real comfort is the work of God. God is both the source and the giver of this gift.Isaiah the prophet is ordered to comfort the people of God. But how? Not with flattering words or deceptive praise. True comfort can only be experienced when we turn to God, the inexhaustible source of grace. God alone can cancel our debt and forgive our sins. True comfort can only be found in God.

God of all comfort, only you can fill our deepest needs. Throughout this month, help us to find our only comfort in you by hearing from and living into your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“You have heard that it was said. . . . But I tell you. . . .”

— Matthew 5:21-22

In this passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, our Lord cites several references from the Old Testament Law, such as “Do not murder,” “Do not commit adultery,” and so on. Then he adds his own divine wisdom on the deeper meanings of those laws, insisting that even our thoughts and motives are subject to the Law’s commands. So if we think about killing someone, or committing adultery, or any other sin, we have actually committed that sin. Ouch!Jesus’ main message here is about life in the kingdom of God. He shows us that kingdom living goes beyond simply following God’s law. In the kingdom of God, even our thoughts must be pure, good, and truthful.Now, if we are saved in Christ, our sinful thoughts certainly won’t change that. Similarly in some ways, we can say that people do not go to prison for thinking of murder. So does it really matter if we revel in sinful thinking?It does matter. We are saved so that we will become more fitting, effective agents in God’s kingdom. When our thoughts align with Christ’s, we gain power and understanding into the ways of God. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, more and more of our mind can become like the mind of Christ. And if our mind is like Christ’s, we will share in his compassion, confidence, hope, and power.Let the mind of Christ grow effectively in you.

Lord Jesus, make us effective servants in your kingdom. May even our thoughts and desires be worthy of you. Amen.

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ. . . .

— 2 Corinthians 4:4

In this passage Paul speaks of people’s minds being blinded by “the god of this age.” This is a reference to Satan, the devil, who is still very active in our world today.Has the god of this age, the devil, blinded you? I think an honest answer would be that although we can see the gift of the gospel, we can certainly be blinded by the devil’s distractions and attractions today.For example, how about constant and malicious online stories about political opponents?How about porn? Looking at it may make you feel virile and powerful—for a short time. But it is not reality, and it is not God’s will for our sexuality.How about scrolling through your favorite social media hour after hour? Too often we see only one side of the story in increasingly demeaning ways.How about false religion like the prosperity gospel, claiming God will make you wealthy if you just follow its teaching?How about “action movies,” in which people are killed or tortured in gruesome ways for entertainment?The god of this age is present in so many ways today, making all of these things seem normal and desirable. Most of these influences, and more, are also just updated versions of what people faced in Paul’s day.Give your mind a break. Let the true gospel enlighten you.

Dear God, so many influences today are used by the devil to lead us astray. Help us to reject the evil they present as if it were normal. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin. . . .

— Romans 7:22-23

It is hard to overstate how much our minds are like battlefields. This is true for all believers in Christ, including the apostle Paul, who describes his own struggles in our text for today.In this passage Paul says that one set of thoughts in his mind is turned toward God and aims to do good. The other set of thoughts, however, is turned toward evil and wants to sin. Paul thanks God in Christ that he is indeed saved. But in the very next verse he recognizes that he is still of two minds; he is a slave to God’s law at the same time that he is a slave to sin. In verse 24 Paul seems to despair of living in this sort of spiritual duplicity. “What a wretched man I am!” he says.In this way Paul expresses the frustrating way the Christian life goes—we are pulled one way and tugged the other by opposing powers within us. Though we are truly and irrevocably saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, we are at the same time slaves to our sinful old selves.Thus we are in constant battle. Who will rule our heart and mind today? Who will rule our thinking about our work, marriage, or politics? The inner thoughts that we barely even notice may really be spiritual combat.Though the battle rages on, we can ultimately say, with Paul, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

O God, you have freed us from the curse of sin and death. But we need your power in our minds each day. Guide us to live by your Spirit. Amen.

Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

— Romans 8:5

There are two basic directions we can follow in life: our own desires or God’s desires. If we believe in Christ, we should aim to follow God’s desires.Here's a little test we can give ourselves. We can write down our desires in two columns. In one column we can note how many of our daily desires are for sinful or selfish things. In the other column we can note the desires we have for good or godly things. How many of our thoughts seek to satisfy our evil desires, and how many seek to do God’s will and show love to our neighbors? If your mind operates like mine, the first column will have lots of examples, and the second will have just a few.This is the spiritual and mental struggle of the Christian life. As believers in Christ, we have been reborn to new life in the Spirit. We are no longer stuck in the realm of sin and death, with its lies and false promises, but we are not yet fully regenerated either. Our life in the Spirit is a work in progress.Two systems are in operation. In one, our desires oppose God, and we continue to sin. In the other, we are newly reborn into a life powered by the Holy Spirit. Thankfully, we are justified by Christ’s fulfillment of the law and his finished work, and we are given eternal life through the Spirit. So we are freed from the curse of sin and death, and we are called to live by the Spirit so that we become like Christ. True life is found in him.

Spirit of God, you are the source of our new life. Fill us and guide our desires and actions. Do not leave us to our own desires, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.

— 1 Corinthians 14:15

This passage addresses the gift of speaking in tongues. I do not have that spiritual gift, but many believers do. Paul supports the fact that Christians may speak in tongues, and he notes that it’s also important for the community to understand what is said when a person speaks in tongues. When we can speak and pray and sing and listen with understanding, we use our minds in worship to the glory of God.Our worship must include both spirit and mind. If the Holy Spirit does not meet with our spirit, our words of worship can be cold, ineffective statements. And if our mind is not engaged in our prayer and singing to God, our worship can become just exuberant blather. Only mindful, spiritual worship is real worship.Worship should include our whole selves—mind, body, and spirit. It’s also important, then, that worship should be done by the congregation, not for the congregation. Worship is not a spectator sport. So while watching a singer perform can be inspiring, and while hearing a preacher’s sermon can be stimulating, we need to discern that these things truly lead us to worship God.Worship leaders have a great responsibility. They must direct the spirits and minds of worshipers toward God. They may not dazzle people or manipulate feelings. They must guide whole persons to Christ.

Father, Son, and Spirit, we want to worship you with our whole selves. Help us to engage both spirit and mind as we come into your presence in worship. Amen.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.

— James 1:5

The highest degree a person can earn in a field of study is a doctorate. But education is not a true measure of wisdom. There are lots of foolish people with doctoral degrees, and there are many uneducated men and women who are wise.Wisdom is not the same as academic learning. Wisdom not only understands many things but also knows how to interpret what it senses and how to use that knowledge wisely.Wisdom is a way of life, while knowledge can be little more than a collection of data. Computer programs can store more data than our brains can. But a computer cannot be wise. Wisdom is not mere knowledge. It also involves “know-how.”In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a perfect woman who brings life, peace, and blessing for all who seek her. When you find wisdom, you will know what to say and how best to think and live. You will discern how things came to be. You will understand what is right and how to avoid wrongdoing.Why would anyone be content with ignorance or foolishness when they could have the beautiful gifts of wisdom? Wisdom is found in hearing God’s Word, reflecting deeply on its teachings, and learning from other believers who are wise.True wisdom leads to the true God. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). True wisdom finds the source of all wisdom.

Lord, thank you for the gift of wisdom. Help us to follow Jesus, who shows us the way of true wisdom and leads us to eternal life with you. Amen.

Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 2:5

One of the most important goals for a believer in Christ is to have the same mindset as Jesus.Wouldn’t that be amazing?! In Philippians 2, the apostle Paul describes the attitude Jesus had when he came from heaven to earth to live among us and to save us from sin and death.In his descent, Jesus gave up all the power and glory he had in heaven by becoming a human being. He also came without status or privilege by taking the nature of a servant. Then he gave up even the life of a poor servant by submitting to death on a cross. In sum, the greatest being in the universe gave up everything and became a victim of excruciating punishment at the hands of brutal, mocking humans for our sake.To share in Jesus’ mindset, we are called to join in Jesus’ way of life. He showed complete sacrifice and humility. Jesus, who had all power and glory and majesty and privilege in heaven, gave it all up. He did not cling to anything that he rightfully had as the Son of God. He gave no thought to his own status or well-being. He gave it all up, for all of us.Is there anything you have that you might feel you deserve or have a right to?If we want to be like Christ, we need to give up any sense of entitlement so that we can serve God wholeheartedly and faithfully.

Lord Jesus, we wish to be like you, but the cost is great. By the power of your Spirit in us, help us to deny our own rights and desires and to seek yours. May your attitude be ours. Amen.

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

— Revelation 5:13

Maybe you have heard Handel’s Messiah, which includes this song and many others that we find in the Bible. Maybe the music of that stirring oratorio is going through your head right now.Praising God through song is not just a nice thing to do now and then. In this text, singing is shown to be one of the most worshipful things a believer can do. All creation is called to sing to the God who is worthy of “praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”In song we can take part in worship with our whole being. If we are conscious of the words we are singing, our mind is deeply involved. If our emotions are affected by the music and the words, it can feel as if every part of our being is engaged.I have been able to sing in a number of choirs. When I am singing a Christian song with a group of good singers, it can feel as if we are praising God in heaven.Not all of us are good singers or even musically inclined. But we don’t have to have great voices to sing wholehearted praise to our Creator and Savior. We can sing to and for the one true God who deserves all honor and glory and praise. And as our song reaches the Lord in heaven, it is purified, offering a sweet sound to his ear.

“Now blessed be the Lord our God . . . through all eternity; the whole earth let his glory fill: Amen! So let it be.”

They were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

— Revelation 5:8

Did you know that our prayers are like a scented offering to the Lord? Imagine God sitting on his throne, inhaling all of our prayers. He is surrounded by four creatures that are beyond our imagining, and by 24 elders who represent all of his people redeemed by Jesus, the Lamb of God. The amazing creatures and the elders hold out bowls of fragrant offerings to God, and these represent all of our prayers.We might not usually think of scents when we consider God’s holiness or God’s presence, but perhaps we need to. We know that God created the nose of the bloodhound, which is about 50 times more sensitive than our own. So perhaps we can imagine God deeply breathing in the most attractive scent in the universe— our prayers. He takes a deep breath and smiles. God loves us more than we can imagine, and he delights in hearing whatever we have to say. Whether we express joy or thanks or wonder or sadness or grief or concern or anxiety, the God who loves us is always eager to hear us.We can imagine that our prayers give God a scent more satisfying than fresh-baked bread or fresh-cut flowers. Our prayers are precious scents, offered to God in golden bowls.Did you know that your prayerful thoughts and words are enjoyed as the loveliest of scents in the highest heaven?

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, accept our offerings of prayer. May they be a pleasing scent to you as you sniff out what we truly need. Thank you, Lord, for hearing all our prayers. Amen.