By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Trust in the Lord

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7 New International Version

Let me introduce you to my friend Keith.  Gary has just presented him with a plaque honoring his service during World War 2 in the US Marine 2nd Division.  The occasion was Keith’s 100th birthday celebration!

Keith enlisted in the Marines after war was declared by the United States against Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor.  He fought in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Okinawa.  The battles on these islands were some of the bloodiest, deadliest, and most horrific of any battles in a war that claimed over 400,000 American lives.

How did Keith survive the terrible ordeal and come back home to live a productive and even joyful life?  If you ask Keith, he will tell you.  “The good Lord watched over me and kept me.  I trusted in Him in the very worst of times.  It was often terrible, but He was with me.”

Keith trusted in the Lord.  These simple words say everything.  He saw men die all around him, but he trusted in the Lord.  He endured terrible things, but he trusted in the Lord.  He was often scared, but he trusted in the Lord.

Keith learned to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd when he was very small and throughout the worst of times, he trusted in Jesus’ voice.  The journey was trying, the tasks daunting, but he stayed the course, he fought the good fight, he finished the race.

And there is laid up for Keith and for all believers the crown of righteousness won by our Lord Jesus for all who would trust in Him.  Are the battles daunting for you?  Are you afraid and depressed?  Are you in deep and desperate need?

Take advice from Keith.  Trust in the Lord.  No matter what may happen, trust in the Lord and He will bring you through to the end.  Trust in the Lord.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado