David Bahn – Reflections

Today’s readings are Romans 13; 2 Samuel 21; Daniel 2;4; Proverbs 24. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 13:8-12

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

¹¹ Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. ¹² The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

A church member years ago said that this verse – among others – effectively forbade Christians from going into any kind of debt whatsoever. He and his (large) family took that literally and did not even have a mortgage. They rented. Without debating the validity of the wisdom of not being in debt, there can be no doubt about the continuing debt we have to love one another.

Some will define love in terms of the so-called 5 love languages: Meaningful and Appropriate Touch, Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, and Acts of Service. Those are beautiful ways to express love, and each of us has a different love language.

But Paul shows that love is not simply a matter of meeting emotional needs; it is about living in the light of Christ’s coming. The motivating force behind Christian love is not personal style but the dawning of a new day – the nearness of salvation. This love is a reflection of Christ’s love for us. It shaped by urgency, hope, and holiness.

Furthermore, Romans 13 invites us to see every act of love – even the small, everyday expressions – as part of a much larger transformation. Loving our neighbor is part of putting on Christ Himself, a way of life shaped not merely by preference but by His redeeming presence at work in us.

Today’s readings are Romans 12:17-21; Deuteronomy 32; Proverbs 25; 1 Samuel 26. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 12:17-21

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. ¹⁹ Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” ²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Evil intent is cloaked in many different disguises. A smile can hide a vengeful heart. A soft voice can mascarade a prideful spirit. A kiss can distract from spiteful plans. So when Paul says do not overcome evil with evil, overcome evil with good, we must look beyond outward actions to the intent of our hearts.

We can never have perfectly pure motives. There will always be some sort of ulterior motives in our best actions. Whether it’s hoping God will notice our good deeds and reward us, or that our acts of kindness will endear us to our neighbor, or extra miles will gain us recognition by the boss: we will struggle with all of these as long as we are on earth. I’m remembering a classic Lutheran book, The Quest for Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Investigation in which the author Adolf Köberle emphasized that true Christian holiness flows from God’s grace in Christ, not human striving. Our striving will always sully any effort at living godly lives.

Yet here we have a calling that requires a quest: overcome evil with good. It’s right up there with Paul’s message earlier in this chapter that we live at peace with all people insofar as it is possible with you. We will never do it perfectly this side of heaven. But we are to reflect the love, grace, and truth of Christ.

Overcoming evil may mean that we struggle within ourselves against the temptation to take matters into our own hands. That’s when the grace of Christ becomes even more precious and powerful. Jesus overcame the fiercest evil by his goodness and grace, faithfulness and obedience to God – entrusting himself to God against all odds. By doing so he not only overcame evil, but won salvation for all who believe in him.

Today’s readings are Romans 11; Isaiah 50; Job 35; 41; Ecclesiastes 8. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 11:22

Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 

It’s been a wonderful experience these past 16 days. I never thought I’d sail around the southern tip of South America – to be precise, around Cape Horn and then through the Magellan Passage toward Valparaiso, Chile. But we’ve done it. A remarkable experience of God’s favor and grace: his kindness.

Paul’s words about the plight of the Jews here is in the context of how God used the Gentile converts to stir up the Jewish people toward the hope that they would believe and be saved. Sadly most seemed not to repent and believe. Hence the severity of God for those who have fallen from his favor because they did not receive Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Paul’s calling here is not to be arrogant about being saved. We have been brought into God’s family without any proper birthright. We’ve no claim on God for we are not of the nation of Israel (the spiritual family, not the modern day nation). But we claim God’s favor because of his kindness in calling us to repentance and faith.

We must never take this for granted. Nor must we ever presume upon God’s kindness. It’s a gift of his mercy and grace – his kindness. Shown in Jesus. Given to all who believe.

There is a word in the Old Testament: חֶסֶד (ḥesed) that means lovingkindness. It is rich in meaning. It describes God’s faithful, covenant-keeping love — not just affection, but steadfast, committed love expressed in mercy and faithfulness. Many scholars consider ḥesed one of the most important theological words in the Old Testament.

It is certainly important to all who believe. We must continue in God’s lovingkindness – such a joyous pathway to follow!

Today’s readings are Romans 10; Deuteronomy 30; Psalm 19; Ezekiel 20. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 10:5-13

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. ⁶ But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) ⁷ “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹ because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. ¹¹ For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. ¹³ For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

I had an interesting conversation with Keith, a fellow passenger on our cruise. He describes himself as an agnostic. His understanding of the Christian faith is fairly superficial, and he is quick to dismiss the Bible as factually untrue. Since his wife’s death two years ago, he has embraced a hedonistic lifestyle. He seeks as many casual relationships as possible, and he stopped attending worship the day after her funeral.

I pressed him on the resurrection of Jesus, because that is the event that changes everything. He isn’t sure what to make of it, but he has come back to talk with me more than once since our first conversation.

I think of him in light of this passage: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” What a promise! And what a clear witness to our need for salvation. Many people feel self-satisfied and see no need to be saved. Their lack of awareness, however, does not negate their need – nor does it weaken God’s promise.

The Christian faith is not ultimately about whether Noah’s Ark can be proven – though dismissing God’s account in favor of a godless, accidental origin of life is both foolish and dishonoring to him. I believe the account of Noah is true, but even more importantly, I believe that Jesus, the Son of God, lived and died for the sins of the world, rose for our justification, and will come again to bring our salvation to completion. I believe that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

What a promise. What a call to repentance and faith.

Today’s readings are Romans 9:1-21; Genesis 25; Exodus 9; 33; Joshua 11. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Exodus 33:18-23

Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” ¹⁹ And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. ²⁰ But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” ²¹ And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, ²² and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. ²³ Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.”

Today’s passages are a challenging read. But they all point out that God is utterly free in his purposes, unfailingly faithful in his promises, and abundantly gracious in his ways. These passages show that God works through both mercy and judgment, and that his saving purposes flow not from human effort or lineage but from his own gracious will.

Holiness

God’s holiness is seen in his absolute distinction from human plans and expectations (to be holy means to be unique – set apart). In Genesis 25, the choice of Jacob over Esau defies cultural norms; in Exodus 33, God reveals his glory to Moses on his own terms; and in Romans 9, Paul reminds us that God’s dealings are never arbitrary but rooted in his pure and perfect character.

Justice

In Exodus 9 and Joshua 11, God’s judgments on Pharaoh and the Canaanite nations arise from long-standing rebellion and violence. These passages show that divine justice is not capricious but the righteous response of a holy God who has been patient and slow to anger. Romans 9 frames God’s justice within the larger story of his redemptive purposes.

Reign and Rule

Each passage emphasizes that God’s purposes stand, regardless of human resistance. His reign and rule is absolute and will be fully revealed in Jesus. But until that time no one will be able to see God’s face.

• Genesis 25: God chooses Jacob before birth.
• Exodus 9: God raises Pharaoh to display his power.
• Exodus 33: God proclaims, “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.”
• Joshua 11: God gives Israel victory according to his promise.
  Romans 9 ties these threads into a theological whole: God’s ultimate reign does not negate responsibility but assures that his saving plan will be fulfilled.

Grace

Grace shines through in God’s compassionate choice to bless Jacob, to show mercy to Israel, and to call people to himself despite their unworthiness. Paul in Romans 9 shows that God’s grace is not earned or deserved—it is given. Even within narratives of judgment, God preserves a people and advances his promise of redemption.

Today’s readings are Romans 8; Psalm 44; Genesis 50; Job 16; Isaiah 38. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 8:28-39

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28 was our theme verse when Diane and I were dating. Before we had made any plans for our future together, we would say, “We can’t lose.” We met during her summer break from college while I was still in school in my hometown. We dated and quickly realized there was something special between us. Still, we didn’t know what the future would hold. Although I hoped my future would be with her, neither of us could be certain. What we did know was that something real was taking shape — fragile and undefined, yet unmistakably present.

During those days of uncertainty, the promise that God was working all things together for our good brought great comfort. We leaned heavily on it.

Later, we were married and set out to serve together — I to seminary, Diane in countless ways of support and service. As our life together unfolded and our family grew, that same promise continued to steady us.

In difficult seasons, Romans 8:28 has anchored our souls. But it is a promise meant not only for hard days, but for every day. God is always at work — for his glory and for our good. We are loved by him, and nothing can separate us from that love. Nothing is more important than living connected to it.

Often, we recognize God’s good purposes only in retrospect, as Joseph did (cf. Genesis 50:19–20). But the promise of God, and the conviction that, “We can’t lose,” does not stop with us. His providential care is not only for our benefit, but for the sake of all those we may serve, impact, and bless. As we live and serve our neighbor, we are drawn into God’s larger work of love — a blessing meant for many.

For the past 20 years I have offered a prayer at our photo club’s Christmas party. This year I was not able to be present for the gala, so I sent a video and written copies to be shared. They kindly shared the prayer at their Christmas party last night. So now I share it with you. Enjoy!

I Wish I Could Be There – A Christmas Prayer for My Photo Buddies

In Absentia

I wish I could be there
With my photo buds,
But the cruise ship called me,
So I’ll miss you and the spuds.

But that doesn’t stop me
From offer’ng this Christmas prayer:
May God bless and keep you
Whate’er your camera gear!

Some of you shoot Sony (like me!),
Others Nikon gear.
Canon, Pentax, and cell phones—
All are welcome here.

Celebrating our art,
Taking our best shot.
So much talent on display—
Whether you win or not!

So I’m praying for you,
Even though far away.
For Christ the Light came near to us
On that first Christmas Day.

The Light no darkness overcomes,
The hope no night can hide—
And that same Light still warms us,
Even when miles divide.

Thank you, God, for good friends,
Whatever the gear they shoot.
Bless this food and friendship
(And this rhyming substitute!)

I’ll miss this year’s party,
But_I_send this prayer with cheer—
Grateful for a club whose joy
Shines bright throughout the year.

You can join in ending
This year’s prayer again
By adding your_own short blessing
And singing your Amen.

Here’s the video if you wish to see and hear me sing it. Enjoy!

Today’s readings are Romans 7; Deuteronomy 5; Psalm 1; 1 Kings 21; 2 Kings 10. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 7:14-24

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.¹⁵ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. ¹⁷ So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

²¹ So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. ²² For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, ²³ but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! .

St. Augustine – the 5th Century reluctant convert to Christianity – is famously to have said, “Give me chastity, but not right now.” He was living a profligate life while his mother was praying fervently for his conversion. God answered that prayer and Augustine became a great figure in the Early Church, impacted deeply by Paul’s letter to the Romans. Augustine delighted in God’s grace but didn’t see it anymore after his conversion as an excuse for sin.

Many would identify themselves with Augustine in thanking God for his amazing grace. So how is it that we still struggle with sin? We who are no longer under God’s law and who live under God’s grace still battle with temptation and fall prey to the lure of sin and Satan. We read these words of Paul in Romans 7 and say, “That’s me!” The good we would do we do not do. The very evil we hate we do.

The surest sign that we are not fully awake to God’s holiness and our sinfulness is if we claim not to have to fight battles against temptation. The greatest evidence that we have been brought to faith and have the Holy Spirit within us is that we struggle with sin and temptation.

Still it is a battle. And we rightly wish we didn’t have to fight the war. But there is deliverance. And One Day we will be fully delivered – thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ! So, don’t give up the fight!