Daily Devotion for March 13, 2026

1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But sexual immorality and impurity of any kind or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no sexually immoral or impure person or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them, 8 for once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true.

The wrath of God.

I remember watching Raiders of the Lost Ark from the front row of a movie theater as a kid. The end scene where they opened the Ark of the Covenant and all the bad guys were obliterated by the wrath of God terrified me at the ripe age of 8 years old. It was so foreign to my understanding of God at that point. Most of my Biblical instruction at that stage of my life consisted of reiterations of the mantra “Jesus loves you’. Even though I knew of stories like Noah, they had been glossed over as stories of God loving and saving his people.

Now, I do like the message of the loving side of God more than the wrathful. It brings me all those wonderful words: peace, joy, love, and hope. But as I grow older, I see the importance of understanding God’s wrath. Without it, there is no need for Jesus. If God is all love, we have no need for Jesus’ death and resurrection. If God was that loving, doting grandparent who always says, “It’s ok, you tried” there is no reason for discipleship. All grace all the time diminishes Jesus’s love and sacrifice. We need the tension of God’ wrath and our sinfulness to fully grasp the truth of Jesus’ mercy.

Luther understood God’s wrath. He lived in fear of it to the point where it was all consuming. This understanding of God’s wrath, however, made it possible for the revelation of grace to change the heart, soul and mind of a young monk. He understood the power of Christ’s love for us. He had lived and knew the impossibility of avoiding the crushing wrath of God. That depair only made the Good News of grace so much sweeter.

Abba, thank you for the mercy and grace you so wonderfully shower on my life. Amen.

Chad Ryberg

Cryberg@livinglord.org

Prayer Concern: The tensions between nations.