Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Lucas Witt, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Baltimore, MD joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 7.The wall is finished, but Nehemiah realizes that this was not time to relax. He established the offices of gatekeeper, singers, guards, and appointed Levitical priests to prepare for the coming of the exiles back home. There are many numbers and confusing names, but it reminds us that each person matters to God and He has called you by name---You are mine. “LORD God, the work is not done, but it is all in Your hands. Help us to have mercy on all people as You are merciful to the whole world in Christ. Amen”

Rev. Clint Poppe of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lincoln, NE joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 6.The unholy trinity of adversaries (Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem) do not want the wall to be built. They used every last strategy to make Nehemiah feel like his life was more important than the Word of God. This tactic can bring fear and if one is fearful they will not stay grounded in the LORD. Yet, Nehemiah is steadfast in faith by fighting accusations by the Word of God and prayer. The message is simple, “Do not be afraid” the LORD has conquered death and the devil and salvation is set. “Lord God, we will have adversaries, fear, and lies used by Satan to try to lead us away from You. Keep us steadfast like Nehemiah to use Your Word as a sword against evil as we confess the truth of Your grace. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 5.God’s people were struggling with famine, finances, and slavery. Nehemiah saw the sinful oppression and called God’s people to repentance. However, he did not just use words, but as governor he provided for the people, even with serving people at his own table. The LORD calls us to be generous and compassionate to others as He, in Christ, extends generosity and compassion to us. “O LORD, help us to be generous like Nehemiah, we do so because of fear of You, realizing that You are the most generous of all creation in Christ, we follow You and compassionately love and give to others. In Christ, Amen”

Dr. Joel Heck, professor of theology at Concordia University in Austin, TX joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 4.The building of the wall is well underway. The wall revealed the tensions from the surrounding countries (Samaria, Asdod, Amon, and Arab countries). Nehemiah continues to be a servant leader by identifying needs, coming to the LORD in prayer, and preparing others for the realities (setting up guards and providing weapons for the workers). All of the strategies, preparations, and organizational structure of the military had a foundational vision “Our God will fight for us.” Our LORD fights for you. We wrestle and battle evil each day with the Word as our weapon and knowing that our LORD has had the victory. “Lord God, help us to fight the good fight with our might because You are our strength and our right and you are all eternally. Lord help us. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Ned Moerbe of Trinity Lutheran Church in Blackwell, OK joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 3.Nehemiah and God’s people started to build the wall. The wall was needed for the sake of protection from their enemies. At the same time the rubble of the old wall was a sign of shame for the past sins. To have the wall restored was a sign of God’s restoration, not only for the people of Nehemiah’s time, but our restoration as God covers our shame by robe’s of Christ’s righteousness. “Lord Jesus Christ, our shame and shine is covered by Your righteousness. Thank you for Your forgiveness and your protection from all evil. In Your name, Amen”

Rev. Tim Winterstein, pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in East Wenatchee, WA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 2.The hand of God granted Nehemiah the opportunity to return to Jerusalem, gather timber, inspect the wall, and recruit workers. Although there was opposition it was God who made sure it was built. We are reminded that we give thanks to God for all His blessings and trust in His promises. Too often we can assume that what we have and accomplish is due to our hand, but it is clear that “unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).” “Lord God, help us to trust that Your good hand is upon us and give us lips to give You all glory grounded in Your work in Christ. Amen”

Rev. Ben Meyer of Hope Lutheran Church in Sunbury, OH, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Nehemiah 1.Nehemiah hears the news that although the temple had been built over 70 years ago, his homeland was still in shambles. In his vocation as a cupbearer he has influence with King Artaxerxes, but he doesn’t first go to the king to plead the case. He first fasts and prays to the LORD. May He help us to do the same when we grieve and pray the way of Nehemiah which reflects Luther’s example to his barber: Adoration-Confession-Thanksgiving-Supplication. “Lord God, You are the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love for us. We have all sinned and not kept the commandments and statutes You gave to us. We give thanks for Your protection from our enemies and ask that You would hear our prayers and give us mercy through all trial and joy. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to pray and study Psalm 147. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.Why do we need a reminder to praise the LORD? God’s people were in exile, but now back in their homeland, the temple restored, and the wall rebuilt. In a certain sense, this is a call to repentance for us to be reminded to praise the LORD for He even knows the name of the stars, how would He not know ours? His healing is for you and His steadfast love will lift you up through anything. “Praise the LORD! Amen”

Rev. David Fleming, Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church and School in Grand Rapids, MI & Executive Director of Spiritual Care with Doxology, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study and pray Psalm 148.Praise the LORD. The Psalmist commands the angels, all creation, all creatures, and all nations to sing their hallelujahs because He has raised up the horn of salvation in our LORD Jesus. The Hallelujah psalms help us open our eyes to see His handiwork and to be strengthened by His majesty above earth and heaven. “Lord, give us words to give You praise for all Your benefits. As you have raised up the horn of Christ’s salvation, lead us to holy living that loves You and loves others. Praise the LORD, Amen”

Rev. Robert Wentzel of Trinity Lutheran Church, Bemidji, Minnesota joins host Rev. Brady Finnern of Messiah Lutheran, Sartell, MN to study and pray Psalm 5.David prays with groaning and demands to the LORD while suffering. He confesses that the LORD is one with an abundance of steadfast love and one that is not indifferent to evil. Psalm 5 can be utilized as we begin our days to watch for His blessings in our lives. We also may use this Psalm to remind us of our need to have the LORD lead us to His Righteousness as we are susceptible to evil every day. “O LORD, You despise wickedness and evil, lead us to repentance by Your steadfast love as You cover us with Your favor as with a shield. Lord help us to pray. Amen”Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.