David Bahn – Reflections

The previously published edition of this blogpost had incorrect links to the podcast. AND the podcast itself had not posted until 7:45 this morning. So now the links work, and the podcast is active. Blessings! – dlb

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Isaiah 6-8, Psalm 19.

Isaiah 6:1-7

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁵ And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

I’m sitting in the chapel on the first day of classes. The room is filled with men singing “Hark the voice of Jesus crying, who will go and work today?” It ends with those resounding words, straight out of Isaiah 6, “Here and I, send me! Send me!” The men were my classmates – all studying to become pastors. The rousing refrain etched its way into my heart. I was following the call of God to go, sent by his grace, and by the power of his Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus.

But who can serve such a high and holy God? The image Isaiah puts forth for us is strikingly awesome [better word or phrase]. His vision is not just of the LORD, but the LORD high and lifted up. There is smoke filling the temple – the prayers of the saints? Seraphim are flying back and forth, crying out in praise the the thrice-holy God. The train of God’s robe fills the temple. This is a glorious sight! And Isaiah is undone.

I am not a fan of minimizing the idea of the fear of the LORD – making it only respectful reverence. I like to think of the fear of the LORD as what Isaiah experiences here. He is suddenly and painfully aware of both God’s holiness and his own sinfulness. He cannot imagine a way to escape God’s presence, nor can he imagine how he can remain in it. He is a sinner living in a world stained, broken, and infected by sin. Standing before the Holy One, he is undone.

But he is not undone for long. For God has a means by which he will be cleansed. When the question is raised, “Whom will I send? Who will go for me?” he will be emboldened to say, “Here am I, send me.”

I’m a big fan of Martin Luther’s Sacristy Prayer—especially the part in which he prays concerning the ministry entrusted to him: “If it were up to me, I would have ruined it long ago.”

Some people believe they cannot be God’s servant if they don’t have all of life and faith figured out. Some believe no one should not talk to others about Jesus without a seminary education. I challenge that way of thinking. God’s grace has always reached cross the chasm of our unworthiness, for he has called many a broken person – from Moses who said he couldn’t speak well, to Jeremiah, who said he was too young, to Ananias who was afraid to go to Saul of Tarsus, to Isaiah who knows all too well his sin.

God may be calling you, asking, who will go? Whom shall I send? To your neighbor. Your husband. Your daughter. Your mom. Your coworker. Your best friend. They all need to know – or even be reminded of – God’s grace and truth in Jesus.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Isaiah 6-8, Psalm 19.

Isaiah 6:1-7

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. ² Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called to another and said:

“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”

⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. ⁵ And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

⁶ Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. ⁷ And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

I’m sitting in the chapel on the first day of classes. The room is filled with men singing “Hark the voice of Jesus crying, who will go and work today?” It ends with those resounding words, straight out of Isaiah 6, “Here and I, send me! Send me!” The men were my classmates – all studying to become pastors. The rousing refrain etched its way into my heart. I was following the call of God to go, sent by his grace, and by the power of his Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus.

But who can serve such a high and holy God? The image Isaiah puts forth for us is strikingly awesome [better word or phrase]. His vision is not just of the LORD, but the LORD high and lifted up. There is smoke filling the temple – the prayers of the saints? Seraphim are flying back and forth, crying out in praise the the thrice-holy God. The train of God’s robe fills the temple. This is a glorious sight! And Isaiah is undone.

I am not a fan of minimizing the idea of the fear of the LORD – making it only respectful reverence. I like to think of the fear of the LORD as what Isaiah experiences here. He is suddenly and painfully aware of both God’s holiness and his own sinfulness. He cannot imagine a way to escape God’s presence, nor can he imagine how he can remain in it. He is a sinner living in a world stained, broken, and infected by sin. Standing before the Holy One, he is undone.

But he is not undone for long. For God has a means by which he will be cleansed. When the question is raised, “Whom will I send? Who will go for me?” he will be emboldened to say, “Here am I, send me.”

I’m a big fan of Martin Luther’s Sacristy Prayer—especially the part in which he prays concerning the ministry entrusted to him: “If it were up to me, I would have ruined it long ago.”

Some people believe they cannot be God’s servant if they don’t have all of life and faith figured out. Some believe no one should not talk to others about Jesus without a seminary education. I challenge that way of thinking. God’s grace has always reached cross the chasm of our unworthiness, for he has called many a broken person – from Moses who said he couldn’t speak well, to Jeremiah, who said he was too young, to Ananias who was afraid to go to Saul of Tarsus, to Isaiah who knows all too well his sin.

God may be calling you, asking, who will go? Whom shall I send? To your neighbor. Your husband. Your daughter. Your mom. Your coworker. Your best friend. They all need to know – or even be reminded of – God’s grace and truth in Jesus.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Isaiah 3-5, Psalm 18.

Isaiah 7:1-7

Let me sing for my beloved
    my love song concerning his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
    on a very fertile hill.
² He dug it and cleared it of stones,
    and planted it with choice vines;
he built a watchtower in the midst of it,
    and hewed out a wine vat in it;
and he looked for it to yield grapes,
    but it yielded wild grapes.

³ And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem
    and men of Judah,
judge between me and my vineyard.
⁴ What more was there to do for my vineyard,
    that I have not done in it?
When I looked for it to yield grapes,
    why did it yield wild grapes?

⁵ And now I will tell you
    what I will do to my vineyard.
I will remove its hedge,
    and it shall be devoured;
I will break down its wall,
    and it shall be trampled down.
⁶ I will make it a waste;
    it shall not be pruned or hoed,
    and briers and thorns shall grow up;
I will also command the clouds
    that they rain no rain upon it.

⁷ For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts
    is the house of Israel,
and the men of Judah
    are his pleasant planting;
and he looked for justice,
    but behold, bloodshed;
for righteousness,
    but behold, an outcry!

Well that didn’t last long. Yesterday we read about the grace and kindness of God, his rescue of those in distress, and the message of his righteousness going out to all nations. But that was yesterday. Today is today. And today we read of God’s great disappointment in Israel – his vineyard.

God had done everything for his people. He had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. He had brought them into the Promised Land. He had led them by Moses, Joshua, Judges, and Kings. But the nation had abandoned God’s ways, wandered from true worship, and righteous living. God cares about those things.

God cares about true worship because of his love for us – not because of his love for himself, or a need for his ego to be bolstered. Think of it: his name is “I AM.” He is the one who is and who needs no permission or acknowledgement of his being. Our worship of him is a matter of acknowledging the truth of this. But it is more, for the Bible also says, “God is love.” Jesus speaks of worship with the woman at the well in John 4. “God is Spirit,” he says, “And those who worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth.” Worship is not some contrived exercise of religious fanaticism. It is the expression of praise to God for all he is and has done for us.

And because God loves us all, he cares about how we treat one another. Righteous living flows from faith — from the righteousness that comes from him. We express our love for one another by obeying God’s commandments and by living together in peace and grace. God does not need our good works; they could never avail before him. But our neighbor does. Having received God’s mercy, we are freed to show mercy. Having been loved, we are free to love. Righteous living is a matter of serving our neighbors with kindness, respect, and care.

But there is yet more to Israel’s fruit-bearing as God’s vineyard. The fruit God desires is that the whole world would know his majesty, glory, and grace. It is not enough that we are kind to one another within the fellowship of the redeemed. God’s love for us is to be reflected toward those outside the vineyard as well. Israel had lost sight of that calling. So God would remove the hedge, break down the wall, and scatter his people among the nations. Yet even in judgment, God’s purpose was not only to punish, but to proclaim. Scattered far and wide, his people would carry the knowledge of the true God to the nations.

We who are reading this today are among the fruit of that vineyard. The message has gone out into all the world. God’s Son has come and redeemed us so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. And now the Lord seeks fruit from us as well—not fruit that earns his favor, but fruit that grows from his grace: faith in Christ, love for our neighbor, and witness to the world. The vineyard still belongs to him, and his desire remains the same—that all people would know his saving love.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Chronicles 26, Isaiah 1-2, Psalm 17.

Isaiah 2:1-5

The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

² It shall come to pass in the latter days
    that the mountain of the house of the LORD
shall be established as the highest of the mountains,
    and shall be lifted up above the hills;
and all the nations shall flow to it,
³     and many peoples shall come, and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
    to the house of the God of Jacob,
that he may teach us his ways
    and that we may walk in his paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
    and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
⁴ He shall judge between the nations,
    and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
    and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
    neither shall they learn war anymore.

⁵ O house of Jacob,
    come, let us walk
    in the light of the LORD.

What a breath of fresh air Isaiah is! There will be hard words that need to be spoken. The very next verse is one example:

For you have rejected your people,
the house of Jacob,
because they are full of things from the east
and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,
and they strike hands with the children of foreigners. – Isaiah 2:6

But how sweet are these opening words, especially in light of the sorry track record of Israel’s kings. Judah’s kings fared somewhat better. Yet even under the better kings, God’s people needed a word of hope and grace. The kingdom was divided. The northern kingdom would fall to Assyria during Isaiah’s lifetime. Even Judah will go into exile following Isaiah’s days (and he prophecies this in Isaiah 39). Troubled days lay ahead.

But Isaiah holds out hope. God’s law would go forth. His ways would be known. His truth would be acknowledged. God himself would act. He would raise up Zion as a light to the nations and establish his ways among the peoples. It would become so evident that people would say to one another, “Come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.”

This is a good word for us as well. In these times of war and unrest – Israel and Hezbollah, Russia and Ukraine, Iran, ISIS, Sudan, Boko Haram, Nigeria, and countless other places – we need a promise that one day swords will be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks.

That promise finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ and will reach its completion in the new heaven and the new earth. Jesus himself said there would be wars and rumors of wars until the end. Yet the Gospel will be preached to all nations, and then the end will come. That is the hope Isaiah places before us.

So when you see trouble, turmoil, war, violence, injustice, and corruption, do not despair. Do what you can to uphold truth and righteousness. But above all, remember the promise of God. The light of the LORD has already dawned in Jesus Christ. Therefore, let us walk in his light while we await the day when peace reigns forever.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Kings 13, 2 Chronicles 24-25, Psalm 14.

2 Chronicles 24:4-14

After this Joash decided to restore the house of the Lord. ⁵ And he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you act quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly. ⁶ So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the congregation of Israel for the tent of testimony?” ⁷ For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God, and had also used all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord for the Baals.

⁸ So the king commanded, and they made a chest and set it outside the gate of the house of the Lord. ⁹ And proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring in for the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness. ¹⁰ And all the princes and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished. ¹¹ And whenever the chest was brought to the king’s officers by the Levites, when they saw that there was much money in it, the king’s secretary and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty the chest and take it and return it to its place. Thus they did day after day, and collected money in abundance. ¹² And the king and Jehoiada gave it to those who had charge of the work of the house of the Lord, and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the Lord, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the Lord. ¹³ So those who were engaged in the work labored, and the repairing went forward in their hands, and they restored the house of God to its proper condition and strengthened it. ¹⁴ And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made utensils for the house of the Lord, both for the service and for the burnt offerings, and dishes for incense and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord regularly all the days of Jehoiada.

Years ago we had a faithful member of the church who counted the offerings after our midweek services. The problem was that he did it alone. No one else was in the room. Nothing was ever missing. There was never a hint of wrongdoing.

Still, we told him that someone needed to be with him whenever the offerings were counted.

He was a bit offended. “What! Don’t you trust me?”

I explained that trust was not the issue. I had complete confidence in him. The issue was accountability. What if someone else questioned what happened? What if an accusation were made? Having two people count the offerings protected not only the church’s funds, but also his reputation. He soon saw the wisdom of the policy.

The situation in Judah was more serious. Athaliah’s sons had broken into the temple and carried off the dedicated things of the house of the LORD for use in the worship of Baal. Worse still, the money collected for repairs was apparently not accomplishing its purpose. The temple remained in disrepair.

So Jehoiada the priest established a simple system. A chest was placed at the gate of the temple. The people brought their offerings. The money was counted and accounted for, and then distributed to those doing the work. As a result, the temple was repaired and restored.

Good stewardship is not only a matter of giving our first and best to the Lord. It is also a matter of faithfully using those gifts for the purposes for which they were given.

This is not about second-guessing every decision the church makes, nor is it an excuse to withhold support when we disagree with a pastor, leader, or ministry priority. Rather, it is a reminder that both givers and leaders are stewards of what ultimately belongs to God.

Our offerings are a response to his generosity toward us. Daily bread, health, family, friends, opportunities, and every other blessing come from his hand. We honor him by giving generously, thankfully, and faithfully; and the church honors him by handling those gifts with integrity, transparency, and faithfulness.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Kings 10-12, Psalm 13.

2 Kings 11:17-20

And Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people, that they should be the Lord’s people, and also between the king and the people. ¹⁸ Then all the people of the land went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest posted watchmen over the house of the Lord. ¹⁹ And he took the captains, the Carites, the guards, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, marching through the gate of the guards to the king’s house. And he took his seat on the throne of the kings. ²⁰ So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword at the king’s house.

These chapters are filled with kings, reforms, violence, intrigue, and unfinished business. Jehu carries out God’s judgment against the house of Ahab with ruthless efficiency, destroying Baal worship in Israel. Yet even Jehu’s zeal has limits. He removes one form of idolatry while clinging to another, refusing to depart from the sins of Jeroboam.

Joash, who had been hidden away and preserved by God, is later crowned king. Athaliah is removed, the covenant is renewed, and under the guidance of Jehoiada the priest the people once again tear down the house of Baal and restore the worship of the LORD.

As these chapters unfold, one theme emerges repeatedly: God continues to preserve his promises through deeply flawed leaders and troubled times. Some kings begin well and end poorly. Others bring temporary reform but fail to address the deeper problem of the human heart. Yet God’s purposes move forward.

The route, however, is long and often frustrating. Reforms begin with tearing down Baal’s pillars and temples, killing the prophets of Baal, and restoring the priests to their proper duties. But the golden calves and high places remain, and the people still worship false gods.

Even the priests struggle to carry out their responsibilities faithfully. Temple repairs and offerings must be monitored and accounted for so the workers can be paid. Even then, there is not enough money to replace the sacred vessels of the LORD’s house.

And yet, somehow, the worship of the LORD continues. God’s faithfulness proves greater than the failures of kings, priests, and people.

It should not surprise us, then, that the Christian faith is often sullied by controversy or that God’s mission is undercut by schism, heresy, and human weakness. That has been the story of God’s people from the beginning.

That is why we never place our faith in earthly kings, denominations, pastors, or church leaders. We are all flawed, and even the best intentions do not always produce the results we desire.

Instead, we place our faith in Jesus, the perfect Prophet, our great High Priest, and the faithful King. Through him we have become a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (cf. 1 Peter 2:9). Therefore, while we honor and support our earthly leaders, our ultimate trust belongs to Christ alone. And by his grace, we seek to remain faithful to him until the day his kingdom comes in all its fullness.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Kings 7-9, Psalm 12.

2 Kings 7:1-15 (selected verses)

But Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.” But the captain on whose hand the king leaned said, “If the Lord himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Elisha answered, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

Now there were four lepers at the entrance to the gate. They said to one another, “Why are we sitting here until we die? If we stay here, we die. Let us go over to the camp of the Syrians. If they spare our lives we shall live, and if they kill us, we shall but die.”

So they arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians. But when they came to the edge of the camp, behold, there was no one there. For the Lord had made the army of the Syrians hear the sound of chariots and horses, the sound of a great army, so that they fled in haste, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and supplies.

When the lepers came to the camp, they ate and drank and carried off silver, gold, and clothing. Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news [emphasis added]. If we are silent, punishment will overtake us. Let us go and tell the king’s household.”

The king at first suspected a trap, but messengers went as far as the Jordan and found the way littered with garments and equipment the Syrians had thrown away in their haste. And the messengers returned and told the king.

There is an old joke that is sadly funny. That is often true of humor. But in this case it’s truly sad because it reveals a mentality that is all too subtly real in many church members’ minds.

A small church unexpectedly received a huge financial gift. It was enough money to pay off the mortgage, renovate the building, fund ministry for years, and still leave plenty in reserve.

The church council gathered to discuss what to do with the money.

One member wanted to build a fellowship hall. Another proposed new carpet, padded pews, and upgraded technology. Someone else argued that a large portion should go to missions. One practical soul suggested investing it for long-term stability. And, of course, someone wisely suggested the pastor deserved a raise.

The discussion went on and on until one frustrated member finally stood up and said, “You people don’t understand anything at all.”

The room grew quiet.

He continued, “Let’s lock the doors and throw a party!”

How I wish none of us harbored that mental idea. And before you say, “Not me!” think…if you received a large inheritance what would be your first move? I’ll leave that to you to answer. But be truthful. Do not deceive yourself!

The lepers found a great trove in the Syrian army’s camp. At first they hid it, but later realized, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news [emphasis added]. If we are silent, punishment will overtake us. Let us go and tell the king’s household.”

It may not seem as dramatic as a sudden inheritance, but we too have been given a great inheritance: God’s grace. Keeping it to ourselves might look like refusing to forgive someone who has hurt us, holding back from helping someone in need, or remaining silent when we have an opportunity to share hope with someone who is hurting.

What’s more, we may have the opportunity to give the greatest blessing of all by sharing the gospel itself.

Jesus died for the sins of the world. That includes your grumpy neighbor and your favorite uncle, your best friend at school, your boss, your business partner…and you. We do not need to force these conversations. And when the opportunity comes – a death, a layoff, a frightening diagnosis, a moment of deep discouragement – you do have Good News to share.

Jesus died for the sins of the world. Jesus rose to give us life. Jesus will come again to make all things right and bring us into his glorious presence forever.

That is Good News we must never refuse to share!

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Kings 4-6, Psalm 11.

2 Kings 5:9-14

Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha’s house. ¹⁰ And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” ¹¹ But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. ¹² Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. ¹³ But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” ¹⁴ So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

I am struck by these chapters. Miracle after miracle unfolds through Elisha’s ministry. A widow’s desperate need is met through a miraculous provision of oil. What appeared to be a tiny reserve becomes enough to fill vessel after vessel, providing for her family’s needs. Then Elisha raises the Shunammite woman’s son, purifies deadly stew, heals Naaman of leprosy, causes a lost axehead to float, opens his servant’s eyes to see the fiery chariots protecting them, and blinds the eyes of their enemies.

But you have to love Naaman.

He first goes to the king of Israel for healing – the wrong place to seek God’s help – despite being directed there by his own king. Redirected to Elisha, he arrives with gifts in hand, ready to pay for what cannot be bought. Then comes disappointment. Elisha does not even come out to greet him. No dramatic gesture. No waving of hands. No incantation. No impressive display of power. Just a simple instruction: wash seven times in the Jordan River.

Naaman is furious. He turns toward home angry and offended.

Thankfully, his servants speak wisdom. If the prophet had asked you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? Why not simply do what he says? Reason prevails. Naaman washes. And Naaman is cleansed.

Sadly, however, greed soon intrudes. After Elisha refuses payment, his servant Gehazi secretly pursues Naaman and deceitfully asks for the gifts after all, grasping for reward for what God had freely given.

Several false hopes are exposed in this account. Help is not found in halls of power. God’s grace does not come through spectacle, dramatic displays, or mystical performance. Money cannot purchase the favor of God. Yet the king of Syria, Naaman himself, and even Gehazi are tempted to believe otherwise.

Instead, wisdom comes through humble servants. Truth comes through the word spoken by God’s prophet. Healing comes through obedient faith. Even the unnamed Israelite servant girl displays remarkable courage, compassion, and conviction. There is a prophet in Israel, she says. She knows where true help is found.

Naaman is changed in more ways than one.

And this account inevitably makes me think of baptism. God joins his word to ordinary water and does something extraordinary. We might prefer dramatic signs, spectacular experiences, or visible demonstrations of power. We often look for something impressive – something we can see, measure, or understand. But God works through simple means.

Plain water is connected with the powerful words and promises of God – that’s how God works..

In baptism, forgiveness is given, life is renewed, and salvation is offered. Like Naaman, we are cleansed not by spectacle, but by simple means of God’s grace, and faith which trusts God’s word of promise.

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These devotions are part of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are 2 Kings 1-3, Psalm 10.

2 Kings 2:1-12 (selected verses)

Now when the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven by a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. ² And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel. ³ And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet.”

⁴ Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to Jericho.” But he said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho.

[This pattern repeats as Elijah and Elisha head from Jericho to the Jordan.]

⁹ When they had crossed [the Jordan River], Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” And Elisha said, “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me.” ¹⁰ And he said, “You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so.” ¹¹ And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. ¹² And Elisha saw it and he cried, “My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” And he saw him no more.

Every Fourth of July I watch the movie Independence Day. It’s a fun film about an alien invasion that threatens the continued existence of human life on earth. Fun spaceships, exciting computer generated graphics, likable characters, and memorable lines make this a favorite.

One of my favorite lines comes from Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith), who says with a confident swagger, “You know how I like to make an entrance.”

Some people know how to make an entrance. Elijah knew how to make an exit. He’s taken up into heaven on a fiery chariot. No quiet retirement. No slipping quietly into old age. No peaceful farewell surrounded by family. Instead: a whirlwind, horses and chariots of fire, and all this while Elisha, his stunned protégé and successor watches.

Now that is an exit.

But as dramatic as Elijah’s departure was, perhaps even more important is what came next. The fact that Elisha saw this confirmed that his request had been granted: he would receive a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Ahead would come mockery (“Go up, baldhead!”), difficult kings, impossible situations, and the burden of speaking God’s truth in troubled times. Yet Elisha remained faithful. The work of God would continue, even after Elijah’s dramatic exit.

And so it still does.

When Jesus was taken up into heaven, it was not the end of God’s gracious work among men and women. He sent the Holy Spirit, who attends the proclamation of the gospel, creates and sustains faith, and empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things in Jesus’ name.

Rescued by Christ’s redeeming love and strengthened by his Spirit, we carry on confident that God is still at work – in us and through us.