LHM Daily Devotions February 15, 2020 - The Blessed Trinity

"The Blessed Trinity"

Feb. 15, 2020

Now the 11 disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw Him they worshiped Him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

—Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)

With Christ's clear command dominating their minds, the first followers of Christ were like a tiny spark that ignites a forest fire. As obedient foot soldiers of the Gospel, they went out proclaiming the spark of Christ's command in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

For centuries, philosophers and theologians have been trying to figure out the Trinity. These attempts however have always been futile. After setting forth the biblical understanding of the Trinity exhaustively and from every conceivable point of view, the Athanasian Creed, one of the oldest Christ-centered confessions of the Christian faith, closes by affirming, "This is the faith which except a man believe faithfully and firmly he cannot be saved."

I beg you today, don't take the Name of the Trinity lightly! Therefore, the apostle Peter warns "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing, therefore, the devil is near you hoping to take your eyes of faith off the Trinity, you must be prepared.

So when you are tempted to embrace a religion or a faith that promotes or even permits any faith other than the Trinitarian Confession of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, then say like Jesus did, "Get behind me, Satan! Get away from me." On your own, you cannot stave off the devil. But the Good News is this: God will help you. He will empower you through His Word and Spirit.

Each morning as you rise, do as the early Christians did and begin your day by making the sign of the cross and saying, "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Then, in the Name of the Trinity, ask God for protection for the day. And thank Him for all His blessings, and pray the God of the Bible—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—will guard and keep you and your family throughout the day.

Your Heavenly Father loves you in spite of your many failings. The Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is now interceding on your behalf at the throne of God, every time you stumble and fall. The Holy Spirit of the blessed Trinity is at your side convicting you of your sin but then also assuring you that every last one of your sins has been totally forgiven. He, the Spirit, then also plants deep into your heart God's gift of faith and hope.

THE PRAYER: Dear Holy Trinity, to You, all Christians—and unbelievers—will bend their knee on the Day of Judgment. We worship You as one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity, always giving You all glory forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you feel like you understand the nature of the Trinity? Can you explain it to someone else?
2. On numerous occasions, Jesus meets with His disciples on a mountain. Why do you think that is?
3. Do you study any Bible-related texts to increase your knowledge of the Scriptures?

This Daily Devotion was excerpted from the sermon, "God's Mystery is God's Blessing," by Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz, former Speaker for The Lutheran Hour. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you feel like you understand the nature of the Trinity? Can you explain it to someone else?