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.”

What if you really do need to repent?

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— 2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.

3 Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. – Daniel 9:1-5

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Henry Leu Gardens | Orlando, FL | January 2018

Jesus’ disciples ask him about a man born blind, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:1-2). Based on that and a general desire not to have to deal with the consequences of our sins we easily dismiss the idea that troubles we face are a result of our sin. In fact some people go a long way to dismiss such an idea. “God doesn’t punish people like that,” they say.

That is decidedly not the response of Daniel in response to the situation Israel faced while they were exiled and Jerusalem lay desolated. Daniel sought God’s mercy and confessed his sin to God. His prayer is recorded in this chapter. It is extensive and lengthy in repentant ethos and short on excuses and self-justification.

Daniel begins by acknowledging the goodness, grace, mercy, glory, faithfulness and greatness of God. His whole prayer is predicated on these attributes of the One to whom he is praying. Daniel also identifies the One to whom he prays as the Lord his God. He also acknowledges his and his people’s sins.

There are times when our sins lead directly to severe consequences. Rob a bank at gunpoint and get shot by the police: a direct result of your sin. Drink yourself senseless, wreck your car and suffer severe injuries: a direct result of your sin. Clear and direct consequences such as these are easy to identify.

There are more subtle consequences we experience today. Neglect your spouse and children and suffer being estranged from your family. Ignore God’s word and neglect public worship and lose perspective on life, hope, and God himself.

What shall we do when we discover the reality of our sin? Stay strong on God’s glory and eschew excuses. Get real. Get honest. Confess your sin. Seek God’s mercy. Rely on his faithfulness. Pray for forgiveness.

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3 responses to “What if you really do need to repent?”

  1. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
    Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

    Your photo today caused me to think, “Mass of Confusion” (although I do like the curly fronds of whatever it really is). It is simply confused looking to me.

    That connects well to what occurs with the “less obvious” sin of neglect. Interestingly, stealing, murdering, even lying are blatantly obvious to the perpetrator but neglect can be sneaky leading to huge masses of confusion, hence the visual connection to your photo. When we are confused, we can breed confusion and to set it aright requires much of your closing statement, “Stay strong on God’s glory and eschew excuses. Get real. Get honest. Confess your sin. Seek God’s mercy. Rely on his faithfulness. Pray for forgiveness.” This sounds distinctively like returning to the first three commandments of our precious TEN! This is a refreshing reminder of the sneakiness of the devil our adversary who seeks to destroy us.

    And … thanks for making me work at understanding new words. Today, although I knew the root word, I had to look up “ethos.” Surprisingly though, “eschew” though not in my common vernacular was coupled with “obfuscation” (may not be proper spelling) on the wall of my sophomore in high school biology class (without definition). “Eschew Obfuscation” – we had to inquire of its meaning (Avoid Confusion). We spent the first week of school on Creation, God’s way, inasmuch as I understood it then and the rest of the school year dismantling it with evolution. For me, creating confusion!

    Thank you also for the HOPE in Jesus, you always offer : ) and this post today!

    Reply
    1. David Bahn Avatar
      David Bahn

      Glad I could send you to the dictionary and to Jesus!

      Reply
      1. Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope Avatar
        Quilting Crosses with Threads of Hope

        Anytime for BOTH! Jesus preferred!

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