David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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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.”

Waiting for God to show up

Read Exodus 14:10-14

What do you do when the enemy is pressing in on every side, the odds are completely against you, and God is no where to be found? If you’re Moses and the children of Israel, you do three things: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today” (Exodus 14:13).

Tulips
One of the nearly 500 tulips (maybe more) growing at a friend's house.

“Do not fear,” Moses says. Someone once said that self-serving fear is one of the most destructive forces in human relationships. I’m not certain that’s totally true, but I do know this: God so often says, “Fear not.” Check it out here – 34 times in the ESV. See here the thirty-three (33) times the ESV has “Do not be afraid.” Often these words come to people as they encounter God – even though it is “a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). God’s ultimate work for us is truly for us. He is good; not safe but good. As you wait for God, do not be afraid. God is faithful and good; he is able to deliver you from your gravest enemy.

“Stand firm,” Moses urges. This cousin to “fear not” has to do with confidence in the face of danger. James tell us to count it all joy when you face troubles of every kind (James 1:2). We can stand against any and every enemy when we are confident of the battle’s outcome. We have a champion who has won the victory for us. Moses was urging the Israelites to be brave in anticipation of God’s victory in their behalf. This is not bravado. This is confidence  and faith. It is vital that we stand firm if we are to do the third thing…

“See the salvation of the Lord.” God is the God of salvation. He won it for the people of Israel as they came up out of Egypt. He won it for all people when Jesus died in faith and rose from the grave in victory. There are also the every-day victories of faith: sins conquered, diseases healed, hope restored, life in abundance.

Where is God calling you to fear not and stand firm so that you can see his salvation?

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