David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

recent posts

about

In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Isaiah 40:31

Crosses on a Church
Crosses on a Church

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NIV)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Another translation of Isaiah 40:31 has, “They that wait upon the Lord…” Still another translation might well be, “They that hope in the Lord…” Waiting, trusting and hoping in the Lord are closely related.

If I trust God, I will wait for His answers and the help He promises rather than abandon His ways and find my own sinful and self-serving solutions. If I trust in Him, I will hope for His gifts and delight in them. If I hope for His deliverance and blessings I will wait for them in confidence and trust.

This is not easily done, however. Whether it is in a battle against illness or a struggle with temptation, or the daily challenge to live for Christ and His kingdom, such waiting, trusting, and hoping is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It comes by His grace as we meditate on His word. It is spurred on by the faithfulness of God as He provides for our needs and answers our prayers – big and small. It is sustained by a daily walk with Him and His word.

This is no single sprint. Though there are those eagle-winged moments of God’s favor and extraordinary grace; and the longer times of God’s goodness that send us running through the streets in delight and joy; more often this is a daily walk. More often life is lived in the daily activities as we walk humbly with our God. We carry on by His strength and favor.

But it is in the waiting, hoping and trusting that all the powers of the spiritual realm are aligned and readied. Jesus, on the cross, waited, hoped and trusted in God. And because He did that perfectly, two wonderful things happened. We were saved and He was exalted.

For most of us the tests will not be as challenging. Most of us will not face death for our faith. But we are called to crucify the flesh which is another way of thinking of waiting, hoping and trusting in God. In the times of extreme temptation, we trust in God. In the long-haul struggles of life, we hope in Him. In the daily walk of faith we wait for God’s salvation. And when we fail we thank God for our Champion and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who endured the cross and is now seated at the right hand of God; and we wait, hope and trust in Him.

Discover more from David Bahn – Reflections

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Posted in

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.