30 Jun July 25 – Daily Devotional

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

GOD HAS CREATED YOU TO DO GOOD TO HIS GLORY

Hebrews 13:16 “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

You would think that there is no need for encouragement to do good.  Depending on the Bible translation you use, you will find the word “good” somewhere between 700 and 800 times.  It is used in many of these Bible passages in the context of you doing something good.

Jesus said that “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did for me.”  St. Paul said you should even do good to your enemies with the most familiar exhortation being, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” (Romans 12:20)  And he wrote to the Galatian Christians, “as we (you) have opportunity . . .do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10)

St. Paul wrote to Titus that Christians should be “ready to do good works” (Titus 3:1), be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good” (Titus 3:8), and, devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”  (Titus 3:15) St. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10 that God “created (us) in Christ Jesus to do good works. . .”

The good works you do as believer in Jesus you do to the glory of God, not to appease God or earn your salvation.  Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)  Peter wrote, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God.” (1 Peter 2:12)

St. Paul exhorts, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

Prayer:  “Guide me, O Thou Great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren wilderness that all I do is good in your sight and gives glory and honor to Your holy name.  Amen.

Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land.

I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.

Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more;

Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow;

Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through.

Strong deliv’rer, strong deliv’rer, Be Thou still my strength and shield;

Be Thou still my strength and shield.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside;

Death of death and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side.

Songs of praises, songs of praises I will ever give to Thee;

I will ever give to Thee.

(LSB 918)