Sola Devotions

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Deuteronomy 4:29–31

• Image  • Index

 Click for audio of today’s devotion.

Deuteronomy 4:29–31

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning Confession and Satisfaction 

But let us dismiss such matters as these. The Psalms mention confession at different times, such as, “I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’; then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin” (Psa 32:5). Such confession of sin, which is made to God, is itself contrition. For when confession is made to God, it must be made with the heart and not with the voice alone, as is made on the stage by actors. Therefore, such confession is contrition. Feeling God’s wrath, we confess that God is justly angry, and that he cannot be appeased by our works. Nevertheless, we seek mercy because of God’s promise.

Pulling It Together: We are in bondage to sin, just as the ancient Israelites were enslaved to the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians. We can no more free ourselves than they could. Yet we can appeal to God’s mercy, based upon both his promise and his character. The first commandment reminds us that God rescues his people from bondage. “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Exod 20:2). His word also makes promises that we may rely upon. He will not forget his covenant, so we may have faith in the merciful God.

Therefore, we depend upon his forgiveness of, and freedom from, sin. Does this mean that you will not sin? No. It means that when you do sin, you need not remain imprisoned by guilt. So you should not seek a human remedy through such things as good works. Instead, you should confess your sin with soul and voice, assured of God’s forgiveness for Christ’s sake—the divine remedy. For he is the Lord our God, who brought us out of the land of sin, and out of the bondsman’s house.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, that though I am a disobedient sinner, you love and forgive me, for Christ’s sake. Amen. 

The biblical focus in the five-session Moses and the Great Escape VBS book is found in the Old Testament book of Exodus. God has a grand plan for humankind—a plan he enacts through the Hebrew people. He created Moses to be instrumental in this plan.

Sola’s Versatile Budget Series is a simple and flexible educational Vacation Bible School curriculum designed especially for small churches, house churches, and mission congregations. The flexible format works well for groups with limited budgets, or in situations where the ages and number of students may vary from session to session. Unlike more elaborate and expensive VBS kits, this book is meant to serve as an “all-in-one” teacher’s resource. The worksheets and handouts it contains can be reproduced according to local needs. Each book in the Versatile Budget Series focuses on a particular character from the Bible, bringing together several stories on a common theme. Resources and ideas are provided for gathering time, music, activities, games, and refreshments — allowing just a few adult leaders to host a week of Vacation Bible School.

Click Here For Content Archives