David Bahn – Reflections

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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.”

Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So

Psalm 107:1

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!

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There are times when it is easy to praise God. You get a raise at work. You receive the good news that a child has done well in school. The report comes back from the doctor: nothing to worry about. Then there are those times when it’s not so easy to praise God. The pink slip arrives on your desk. Your child is in trouble at school. The report says “cancer.” Ugh.

Most days life falls somewhere in between. No great raises. No troubling test results. Certainly there are good days and bad days. Certainly challenges never go totally away. But most days we live and move and have our being quite apart from a deep awareness of our need for God or in celebration of his glorious redemption.

That’s why I love this psalm so much. We thank God for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever. That never changes. That cause for thanksgiving doesn’t ebb and flow. So what remains is for us to apply that truth to our hearts and give thanks to God.

Psalm 107 continues…

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
whom he has redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
from the east and from the west,
from the north and from the south.

No matter where you are from, or what your story is, you are part of a greater and more grand story of God’s redemption and salvation. To whom might you say today that God has redeemed you? Will you be part of the gathered throng of worshipers who come from the north, south, east, and west to give honor and glory to God? That would be a good thing – a reflection of God’s goodness and steadfast love, his redemption and our love for him.

Some wandered in desert wastes,
finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty,
their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way
till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
For he satisfies the longing soul,
and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

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One response to “Let the Redeemed of the Lord Say So”

  1. joshuamuchiri Avatar
    joshuamuchiri

    His love endures forever!

    Reply

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