WELS Military Devotions

Military Devotion – Hope because He Lives – April 10, 2026

duran@wels.net (WELS Special Ministries) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 15:00:08 +0000

Based on 1 Peter 1:3-9

Hope because He Lives

At 0430 the first boom sounded over the water. Over 4,000 booms would be heard the next 34 hours over Charleston Harbor as confederate artillery rounds pounded Fort Sumter on this date, April 12, 1861. Four years later almost three quarters of a million people lost their lives. Can you imagine the entire population of Denver, CO perishing within four years?

I won’t enumerate the numbers of American lives lost in wars, conflicts and terrorist attacks since then. As I reflect on this and the lives lost in the current conflict in the Middle East I am reminded of Jesus’ words, “There will be wars and rumors of wars until the day I come back to earth.” This can lead to a spirit of despair, thoughts of inevitability – there will always be a need for armed forces. We will always need brave men and women to raise their right hand and say, “I will prepare for war and go to war if need be.” I will always be thankful for you and at the same time I will be sad that we need military at all. I will pray for peace, but Jesus says there will be war. I will pray that lives are spared, but people will die as they always have. That makes some wonder, “Could I die that way, in war, in combat, even as a civilian, could it happen I die because of collateral damage?” Sometimes life feels hopeless.

You and I need to look at our hopeless situation, the world situation, through Jesus’ words as he speaks through Apostle Peter, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Hope. Not so much a “I really hope my paperwork goes through today”, but a “I hope, I know for certain this thing that God my Father promised me will happen.”

The sure and certain thing? Jesus died. Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus lives today, in a very real, physical way. Your sure and certain reality, your living hope, is this: no matter how you die, and you will someday, I will die someday, because Jesus lives, we, too shall live. We have a resurrection from the dead. Peter describes it this way, “. . . This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). You have an inheritance because someone died. Jesus died. But he came back to life and lives so that you might know and believe with living hope: this resurrection from the dead is yours right now, kept in a safe place, safer than the Fort Knox depository, and not even civil war, not even WWIII, not even death can take it from you. That is the hope you have because a dead man came back to life and lives for you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, in a world of wars and rumors of wars, we confess our hearts grow heavy with despair. Yet you have raised Jesus from the dead, and in him you have secured for us a living hope — an inheritance no grave can snatch away. We give you thanks for those who serve in our nation’s military, who stand watch so others may sleep in peace. Sustain them in body and soul. Remind all of us that because Jesus lives, we too shall live. In his victorious name we pray. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.

Military Devotion – Because He Lives – April 3, 2026

duran@wels.net (WELS Special Ministries) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:00:10 +0000

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Based on Matthew 28:1-10

Because He Lives

A gold star on purple backdrop, an inverted rifle planted in combat boots, topped by a helmet and draped with dog tags, a casket, an urn, a field of white marble headstones – all reminders of our mortality. These objects and symbols evoke a cloud of emotions: for some grief and sadness, for others loneliness, anger, resentment, and sometimes they are prompted to ask God, “Why?”

For friends and family of a man named Jesus from Nazareth, the objects that brought about these emotions were a wooden cross, the soldier’s hammer and nails, his spear. Is it possible that every time they witnessed a public execution on a cross those feelings of loss, horror, sadness and grief filled their hearts? Every time they saw a Roman soldier at his post or on patrol brought feelings of resentment and anger? As they walked the paths of Palestine to pluck figs or gather grapes and their hands were pricked by thorns from a shrub, they would see their own blood and shudder?

But something helped them manage and cope with those feelings, something helped to redirect their thoughts to the truth that gave these objects and symbols new meaning. Those “somethings” that helped were an empty tomb, the familiar voice of that man who had died but now lived and said to their attentive ears, “Do not be afraid.” The familiar hands and arms that had embraced them held them now on that first Easter evening. Yes, the body, once a lifeless corpse, was now alive and perfectly healthy and stood before them, spoke with them, ate with them.

My friends, Jesus died, was buried, and came back to life. Because he lives, you, too, shall live. Because he lives, those whom you love shall not remain dead forever but will one day climb out of their coffins and urns, they who died clinging to this one who absolutely destroyed the power of the grave. Because he lives, we can look at a gold star on a purple backdrop, we can see an inverted rifle planted in combat boots, we can walk through the fields of white marble headstones and be sad and grieve and ask the questions but with a new perspective. Because he lives, these, too, shall live. Because he lives, you, too, shall live never to die again.

Prayer:

Almighty God, by the glorious resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, you conquered death and opened the gate to eternal life. Grant that we, who have been raised with him through Baptism, may walk in newness of life and ever rejoice in the hope of sharing his glory. Comfort all Gold Star spouses and their children, all who wear the black memorial band around their wrist, any who have stood before the fallen soldier battle cross, all who pass by the white marble rows – comfort them with the reality and power of Easter, because he lives, the dead who die in the Lord shall live, and we with them. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

Military Devotion – MAYDAY. MAYDAY. MAYDAY. – March 27, 2026

duran@wels.net (WELS Special Ministries) — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 15:00:40 +0000

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Based on Matthew 21:1-11

MAYDAY. MAYDAY. MAYDAY.

The call comes through on VHF Channel 16, “MAYDAY. MAYDAY. MAYDAY.” Help me! The vessel is taking on water. There is a medical emergency. The vessel is on fire. Help me!

When that distress signal comes in, the U.S. Coast Guard gathers the critical information, broadcasts an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to nearby vessels and then dispatches rescue assets like a boat or helicopter. A rescue swimmer is often a member of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew deployed to respond to a distress call.

Last month off the coast of Washington state, Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers was that rescue swimmer, deployed to help a distressed mariner aboard a large vessel. As Coast Guard aircrews and rescue swimmers have done thousands of times before, Tyler put his life in danger so that others may live. Unfortunately, Tyler gave the ultimate sacrifice and died in the line of duty. Someone called out, “Mayday. Help me.” and he responded.

For over 1,000 years God’s people cried out, “Help me.” The word they used wasn’t “Mayday” but “Hosanna”, which means, “Save!” On a Sunday around 30AD people lined the road that led down the Mount of Olives into the city of Jerusalem and issued a distress signal, “Hosanna! Save us!” They were already drowning… in all that they had failed to do right and in all they had done wrong in God’s sight. They needed someone to rescue them and they saw their rescuer. His name was Jesus. He came riding into the city, not on an aircraft or maritime vessel, but on a donkey. He had come to save knowing the dangers to his own life, knowing he would die in this rescue operation, but others would live.

2,000 years later we send that same ancient distress signal on that same radio frequency, “Hosanna! Come and save us!” Jesus answers that call every single time. For all that we have not done and all we have done wrong in God’s sight that makes us feel as if we are drowning in the sorrow over our sins, Jesus comes riding in through his words, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8) to save you. Every single time we issue the Mayday distress signal, “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Matthew 21:9). Jesus comes riding in – in a very real way – through body and blood in bread and wine so that you may live.

When you feel overwhelmed by your sin and guilt, send out the distress signal, “MAYDAY. MAYDAY. MAYDAY.” “Hosanna! Come and save me, Lord Jesus!” and he will respond with free and full forgiveness so that you may live.

Prayer:

Almighty and everlasting God, work in us Godly repentance that humbly and daily confesses our sins and then confidently turns to your Son Jesus, our Savior, so that we might know and believe our sins are indeed forgiven for the sake of his humble obedience and death on a cross. Comfort all who mourn the death of Tyler Jaggers. Send your holy angels to watch over those who serve as rescue swimmers. Protect them so that others may live. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

Military Devotion – Beyond the Flag-Draped Case – March 20, 2026

duran@wels.net (WELS Special Ministries) — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:00:18 +0000

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Based on Romans 8:11-18

Beyond the Flag-Draped Case

It’s not an easy thing to watch the carry team salute the six flagged-draped transfer cases at Dover Air Force Base. It’s even harder to read the stories about those fallen service members. These are men and a woman with families and friends and children who expected to receive them home as they walked off an aircraft, not carried in a coffin.

When a fallen warfighter is escorted home, the ceremony and honor given to the remains of the body reminds everyone that death is real and painful—but it also reflects the promise that their story is not forgotten. The military honors their name, their body, and their future legacy.

God promises even more. “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you” (Romans 8:11). The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will raise our mortal bodies. That same Spirit lives in you. For you who are baptized into Christ’s name are baptized into Christ and all he has done. If Christ died and his body was raised never to die again, so also you and I will have bodies that will be raised, no longer subject to aging, disease, or the effects of war, but free from the reign of decomposition, bodies which will live indefinitely.

Death does not have the final word.

Paul then reminds us why we do not grieve like the rest of the world, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). What is it like? How do we compare it? If you had scales in front of you and placed the weight of suffering and grief on one side of the scale, what would you put in the other that would far outweigh suffering and grief? Paul is saying that the weight of glory is so great that you cannot weigh it. Can you imagine it? Caskets and urns will be opened, and life will be found there where death once reigned. Bodies laid to rest at sea, down in the very depths of the waters, will be raised to live and die no more and God will share his glory with us in heaven for all eternity.

Grieve and be sad. But grieve with hope – the sure certainty that since Christ is certainly raised and lives, those who die in Christ will rise to die no more. Yes, there is life eternal beyond the flag-draped case.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you know the grief that fills our hearts when death comes close. Comfort all who mourn, especially the families and brothers and sisters in arms who receive loved ones home not as they hoped. Remind us by your Spirit that death does not have the final word. As you were raised from the dead, so you promise that all who are baptized into you will also be raised to life. Strengthen us to grieve with hope, trusting that the glory you have prepared for your people far outweighs every suffering of this present time. Keep us steadfast in this promise until the day you raise the dead and make all things new. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

Military Devotion – Welcomed Light – March 13, 2026

duran@wels.net (WELS Special Ministries) — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:00:19 +0000

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Based on Isaiah 42:16

Welcomed Light

I have a love—hate relationship with light. Some mornings, when that sunlight blasts through the shades of my bedroom window, I’m just not having it. I know the day’s work schedule, the difficult conversations that need to be had, and that light exposes my unwillingness to face the day. On the other hand, I love the light. My travels take me to places around the country where the skies are cloudy and gloomy every single day I’m there! Then I fly home to Southern California – and I admit, we’re a bit spoiled here – and the sunshine is a welcomed light.

This is true for our spiritual life. Light is unwelcomed intruder, like a drill instructor rolling through the barracks exposing contraband, the things that are not supposed to be there. The light of God’s law, what he demands from us as his people, exposed the things that are not supposed to be in our hearts. We are to love him with all our heart, soul and mind. We are to use our bodies to his glory. We are to love our neighbor, whomever they may be, to act and speak with attitudes that best serve them… ouch. Just saying those words is like light that exposes the unwanted attitudes in my heart. How about you? In the darkness of our sin, we do not see clearly how we are to love God and love our neighbor, or why we love God and neighbor.

That’s where light of God’s gospel is a welcomed light. Listen as God speaks through the prophet Isaiah:

“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16).

Do you see the light? God promises you that he will not forsake you, that is, he will not leave you in the dark, leave you to your sins. Instead, he shines his light and illuminates the path that leads to forgiveness, to Christ, who is your light. Earlier in the chapter the LORD looked ahead to the promised Messiah and said of him, “I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6).

Jesus is your light. When you find yourself stumbling around in the darkness of your guilt over your lack of love for God and neighbor, look for the light of Christ. He is right here in these words of promise. Go to church! He will not cast you out because of darkness in your heart. Instead, he will shine his light of forgiveness upon you. Create a battle plan to read about God’s light for you this week by doing a bible search for the word “light”. Read as many of them as possible this week and soak in those promises. Let God’s light be a welcomed light in your heart.

Prayer:

O Lord Jesus Christ, by your almighty power you opened the eyes of the blind and showed yourself to them. Turn our eyes away from worthless things and lead us to love you sincerely. We entrust to your care all who are deployed. Guide the members of our military to carry out their vocations safely. Enable them to return home to their families and friends unharmed. Continue to bless the training of our United States Armed Forces to bring justice, establish peace and bring aid to those affected by disaster. In your name we pray. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.