Lutheran Hour Ministries - Canada

“Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying”

Sunday, October 11, 2026

“Zion hears the watchmen singing, / And all her heart with joy is springing; / She wakes, she rises from her gloom. / For her Lord comes down all glorious, / The strong in grace, in truth victorious; / Her star is ris’n, her light is come. / Now come, Thou Blessed One, / Lord Jesus, God’s own Son, / Hail! Hosanna! We enter all / The wedding hall / To eat the Supper at Thy call.”

The people of God were living as exiles in Babylon. Jerusalem and the temple on Mount Zion were in ruins. The exiles lost all hope of rescue until the prophet Isaiah announced good news to “the captive daughter of Zion.” Isaiah tells them to put on beautiful clothing and arise from the dust. God was coming to take His people home! The watchmen will see the Lord “eye to eye,” that is, face to face. There is no doubt about it! “The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion. … and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (Isaiah 52:8, 10b).

Even though Christmas is still quite a few weeks away, our hymn borrows words and themes from the prophet Isaiah and turns our attention to our Lord’s Advent, to His coming. There is no need to move our Christmas decorating schedule to October. The hymn does not celebrate Jesus’ first Advent, His birth in Bethlehem. In the words of this hymn we rejoice in Jesus’ second Advent, His return on the Last Day. The day is coming when we will leave this earthly exile and rise bodily from the dust of death. Jesus is coming to take us home!

It may be too soon to decorate for Christmas, but it is never too soon to think about Jesus’ return. We are always busy, not with decorating, but in serving our Lord through our witness and works of love. We have the story of Jesus’ first Advent to share with others, the good news of His life, death, and resurrection. We pray that in the power of the Holy Spirit many people will come to believe in Jesus and join us in eagerly awaiting His return. While we witness, we wait like watchmen standing guard on a city wall, longing for the day when we will see Jesus “eye to eye.” Soon we will celebrate the treasured story of Jesus’ first Advent in Bethlehem and, as we rejoice in His birth, we look forward to His second Advent. It is time to wake up and rise from gloom. Jesus is coming!

WE PRAY: Jesus, I long for the day of Your return. Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying,” which is number 516 in the Lutheran Service Book.

Reflection Questions:

If you were among the Jews exiled to Babylon, what do you think your reaction would be to Isaiah’s message of God’s return to Zion?

October is not too early to be mindful of—and renewed by—recalling how God came to us in Christ at Christmas. Is there some new way you can celebrate Advent this year?

What determines whether you’re patient or content with God’s timing in your life?

Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂
“Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving… He prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass grow on the hills.” Psalm 147:7–8
Our Creator didn’t set the world in motion and walk away. He is present and at work in His creation every day: sending the rain, growing the harvest, and feeding the birds of the air. His love goes further still. In mercy, He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross and reconcile us to Himself.
As we gather around our tables this weekend, we give thanks to the God who provides for every need of body and soul.
🙏 Lord God, each day You care for me and for all of creation. I will praise You with songs of thanksgiving! Amen.

Completely Committed

Saturday, October 10, 2026

TEXT: For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:16-17)

What an incredible verse! What a clear testimony to what this Jesus means to those who love and trust Him. What a verse to demonstrate to you how the cross and the resurrection of Jesus are God’s way of saying to the world “I’m all in” when it comes to your salvation, to your redemption, and your way of living by faith in the things that God has accomplished down through history.

All in! I used to be a basketball player back in the days of my youth. Oh, it was fun. Well, it was fun sometimes. There were times you didn’t want to practice; you didn’t want to run another step. The teams that I played on in high school and college emphasized a defensive way to play where we would “press” the other team from the time they got the ball until the time they would relinquish it back to us through a missed shot or a turnover. To get ready to play that kind of basketball, every person on the floor, every person on the bench, every person, every coach, every player—they had to be all in as it were. Such a winning game plan couldn’t work if some people were all in and others were not.

All in. That means no excuses; you do whatever it takes to make the defense work, to stop the other team in their tracks. It didn’t matter how tired you were or whether you had a good game last week. Game night was about being all in with your teammates; it was about engaging with those you were teamed with, encouraging them, challenging them, winning or losing with them. Why? Because you were all in for the cause, for those you were partnered with, for those you sought to engage as well.

And that’s the point Paul makes about Jesus and His team, the church. Jesus was all in for you. No cross got in His way to live your life, to die your death, and to give you His life as a gift. Do you hear me? God is all in for you in Jesus Christ. Not only did He not shrink back from this sinful world’s opposition, He took up that challenge to rescue and reconcile a sinful world back to the One who loves them.

His all-in commitment makes life possible for us again. It challenges us to look to others with that same commitment to love them as God loves us. So, the next time you think about the struggles you have at work, at home, or in your neighborhood—remember you have an all-in Savior who wants you to be all-in for those you love.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for Your all-in commitment to loving us, forgiving us, and leading us in Your truth. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

From “All In!” a message by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever been in an “all in” kind of situation? What were you doing?

Why is our faith futile if Christ has not been raised from the dead?

How does Jesus “all-in” attitude inspire you in your life?

Covered

Friday, October 9, 2026

This devotion pairs with this weekend’s Lutheran Hour sermon, which can be found at lhm.org.

TEXT: [Jesus was saying,] “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14)

It may be my least favorite of all the stories Jesus told. This king represents God, right? So, why couldn’t Jesus have Him say, “Friend, what happened, did the dry cleaner lose your suit? No problem! Here, have one of Mine.” Jesus told other stories like that. Think of the shamed son who slouches back home expecting to be disowned but then gets the best robe from his father (see Luke 15:11-32). I love that story! But this story, the one about wedding feast, Jesus told it for a different purpose.

It’s more like the story about The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Anderson, the one about the ruler who never went anywhere except to show off his new clothes, and some shrewd tailors from out of town promise to make him a suit crafted from such sophisticated cloth that it could not be seen by anyone who was unfit for his station or else intolerably stupid. So, when the emperor paraded around in his new clothes, everyone praised him for the clothing they were too ashamed to admit they couldn’t see. It took a little child to tell the truth. And when everyone started whispering, “He hasn’t got on anything at all,” the Emperor’s flesh crept, for it seemed to him they were right. “But all the same,” he thought, “the procession has started and must go on.” So, he held his head higher and took even greater trouble to show off his suit which wasn’t there at all.

Jesus’ story, likewise, is a warning about how we can fool ourselves into thinking we can cover ourselves with accomplishments and titles and in-group identities. But God can see right through it. Jesus had exposed the religious people of His day who tried to cover themselves with their own righteousness. Jesus exposed them, not to shame them, but to offer the cover of real honor and true belonging as His followers. Jesus was speaking as the Son of God, the Creator who put on our human frame. But the religious leaders thought He was an imposter. They had Him stripped naked and crucified. He endured this shame so that He could fulfill God’s promise to cover us with “garments of salvation” and “a robe of righteousness” (see Isaiah 61:10).

The warning of this parable for us is not that God might kick you out of His kingdom if you’re not dressed fancy enough. The warning is that if you insist on stitching together your own cover, then you won’t be content with the humble robe Jesus offers. But you and I can’t save ourselves from our shame. When Adam and Eve tried to hide behind fig leaves they had stitched together, God provided them with more durable clothing—genuine leather—animal skins—the first animal sacrifice—a sign of the greater sacrifice to come (see Genesis 3:21). Jesus is even better than leather, more breathable, too. He rose from the dead to be your cover. And when you put Him on, when God looks at you, He doesn’t see through you. He sees Jesus.

WE PRAY: Thank You, Father, for covering me with a robe of righteousness in Jesus. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour.

Reflection Questions:

1. When was a time you were embarrassed by what you were wearing (or not wearing)?

2. How are you tempted to find “cover” in accomplishments, status, or human associations?

3. What difference does it make when you “put on Christ” (see Romans 13:14), today?

We're excited to share some good news for listeners in the GTA area! Starting Sunday, October 11, The Lutheran Hour will air on Joy 102.9 FM-HD3 every Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m., reaching listeners from Hamilton to Mississauga.

The Lutheran Hour | JOY Radio The Lutheran Hour is one of the longest-running religious radio programs in North America. For people of faith, curious seekers or if you are simply looking for a message of hope during your Sunday drive, The Lutheran Hour is thoughtful, warm and grounded in scripture.

✨ The September Nicaragua update is here!
Director Ricardo Arguello shares a monthly newsletter filled with vibrant photos of LHM/LLL ministry in action, plus a short update on how Christ's message is reaching the nations. 🌍💙
“Through our Social Impact Program, we conducted a su***de prevention campaign in September under the theme “I Lost a Loved One to Suicide.” We addressed this sensitive topic through talks in our communities and public schools, where we have an ongoing presence. As su***de continues to affect young people and adults facing financial difficulties, relationship problems, stress, and hopelessness, we sought to offer guidance, support, and a Message of hope. We reminded participants that their lives have purpose and that they are deeply loved and valued in God’s eyes.”
“At the beginning of September, our Ministry Center had the opportunity to join the Pastors and Deaconesses for their monthly meeting at the Lutheran Mission Center in Chinandega. It was a blessed time of sharing ideas and encouraging one another as we work together to strengthen the churches they serve. During the meeting, we also distributed various ministry materials, including this month’s evangelism booklet, which they will use in their daily ministry throughout Nicaragua.”
Want the Nicaragua Update delivered straight to your inbox each month? 📬 Send us a DM or email [email protected] to sign up.
Thank you for partnering with us with your ongoing encouragement, prayers, and support! 🙏

Unexpected Wedding Guests

Thursday, October 8, 2026

TEXT: And again Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. “But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:1-14)

I wonder how the replacement guests felt. I mean, one moment they’re on their way to the market or off to visit a relative, and the next, they’re being bundled in the side door of the palace, handed a set of wedding clothes, and shown to a chair at the king’s table!

And all of that for no merit of their own. They weren’t originally invited. Probably most of them would never have dreamed of sitting at the king’s table. They are the little people—the poor, the servants, the foreigners, the people with a shady past. But they are there, and they are willing to toast the prince and his new bride. That’s good enough for the king!

And it’s good enough for us, too, isn’t it? Because we are God’s “replacement guests”—most of us don’t come from Israel, with whom God originally made a covenant. We are the “extras” God brought in to fill up His hall, to make sure Jesus receives all the honor and applause and celebration He deserves at His wedding feast. Through His own suffering, death, and resurrection, He provided us with everything we need to be a fit guest at His table, all the way down to the forgiveness and innocence symbolized by the wedding clothes. It will be an evening to remember—an eternity to remember!

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for scooping me up and bringing me to Your party. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

How do you imagine the guests behaved when the bride and groom came out?

Do you think the king was satisfied with the results of his creative problem-solving?

What about the guy who refused the wedding clothes everybody else was happy to wear—why would anyone do something like that?

Endless Good News!

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

TEXT: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:4-13)

Have you ever heard of doom-scrolling? That’s what they call it when you sit there on your phone or tablet, reading the terrible, depressing news from around the world—and getting more and more depressed with every story. And somehow we never seem to run out of bad news—the algorithms just keep serving up more and more for us to get upset about. It isn’t good for us.

Against that, Paul gives us this advice: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” And while we can think about any good thing God gives to us, of course the greatest gift is Jesus Himself.

Because these words fit Him, don’t they? True, pure, honorable, lovely—and certainly worthy of praise! How else should we describe the One who came down from heaven to become one of us, and to rescue us from the power of evil?

And to do it the way He did, too—at the cost of His own suffering and death. I never could have imagined God doing things that way—and for what? To rescue His enemies! But His heart has always been turned toward us. And so Jesus died and rose from the dead—making Himself the Source of everlasting life for all of us who trust in Him, who are now God’s dearly loved children.

There is so much good news here for us—and it will never end. We can explore it till the end of time, and there will still be more for us to enjoy.

WE PRAY: Dear Lord Jesus, You are good, true, and utterly lovely. Thank You for making me Your own. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

What other descriptive words would you use for Jesus?

When you consider how He loves you—what words do you think He would use to describe you?

Where can you learn more about this wonderful Good News—and share it with others?

What’s for Dinner?

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

TEXT: On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged w**e, of rich food full of marrow, of aged w**e well refined. And He will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:6-9)

I love this description of the feast God is making for everyone in the world. Because look at what we get to eat! For us, God’s people, there will be rich food, well-aged w**e, the best of everything. And for God, well … God gets to eat death.

Yes, you heard that right. Look at verse eight: “He will swallow up death forever.” That can’t be an easy thing to digest, even for God! And in fact, we know that it wasn’t. Because God came into our world as a human being, as the Man Christ Jesus—and He overcame the death that held us in fear through His own suffering and death. For us He bore the flogging, the mocking, the cross; for us He lay in the tomb. And for us He rose from the dead, destroying the power of death forever—and giving life to all of us who trust in Him to save us.

No wonder we celebrate! Because Jesus has invited us to His own banquet, on the day He returns to take us to Himself. We will celebrate the One who loves us this much. And yes, we will be happy and say what Isaiah prophesies: “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for Him; let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

WE PRAY: Dear Lord, thank You for swallowing up death for me, so that I could live in joy with You and eat at Your table. I love You. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.

Reflection Questions:

Who gets the better deal at this banquet, us or God?

Why do you think God arranged it that way?

Knowing how much Jesus loves you, how would you like to respond to Him?

Restored

Monday, October 5, 2026

TEXT: The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

We use the word restore in different ways, although the meaning remains essentially the same. To restore an old and valuable painting to its original condition, museum experts work patiently for hours, focusing on one small section at a time. They attempt to remove layers of grime and smoke to bring out colors as bright as the day the artist first applied them. If thieves are caught after a robbery, stolen possessions will eventually be restored to the rightful owner. Likewise with warring nations, through difficult and delicate negotiations, a lasting peace may be restored. In each case of restoration, something valuable, fragile, or damaged is brought back to its proper condition or returned to its owner.

“The LORD is my Shepherd … He restores my soul.” When we are soul-weary and heartsick with worry and fear, when our souls are burdened by guilt and grief, the Lord our Good Shepherd, leads us to rest and refreshment in the green pastures and still waters of His Word. According to His mercy and steadfast love, Jesus forgives our sins and upholds us with the promises of His Word. Like a treasured painting restored to brightness, our souls our restored and reflect once again the peace and hope received from our Shepherd. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been delivered safely into the hands of our Creator, our rightful owner. Our Heavenly Father “has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13). Dying and risen with Christ Jesus in Baptism, we have been raised and restored to life in our Savior. We are God’s holy, treasured people.

When negotiators try to restore peace between warring nations, both sides must come to the bargaining table. Discussions are held to determine terms, discuss future armament plans, and the possession of lands won or lost in battle. Through Christ Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we have peace with God. We have nothing to bring to the bargaining table. There is nothing we can offer in exchange to earn God’s favor and peace. This work of restoration is the work of God alone, who gave His Son to atone for our sins. The battle was fought, and won, at the cross and in His resurrection. We have been raised to new life in Christ. Our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our souls are restored.

WE PRAY: Good Shepherd, when I am weary and overcome with guilt, forgive my sins and restore my soul. Amen.

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.

Reflection Questions:

Ancient manuscripts often require painstaking care and treatment. Can you think of any texts, biblical or otherwise, that have been so treated?

How does God restore us, His fallen and marred creation?

In what ways is your restored life in Christ different from the life you may have known and lived before?