David Bahn – Reflections

For your personal meditation and edification on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 8:1-4
O LORD, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens.
You have taught children and infants
to tell of your strength,
silencing your enemies
and all who oppose you.
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you set in place—
what are mere mortals that you should think about them,
human beings that you should care for them?

Psalm 38:1-9, 21-22
O LORD, don’t rebuke me in your anger
or discipline me in your rage!
Your arrows have struck deep,
and your blows are crushing me.
Because of your anger, my whole body is sick;
my health is broken because of my sins.
My guilt overwhelms me—
it is a burden too heavy to bear.
My wounds fester and stink
because of my foolish sins.
I am bent over and racked with pain.
All day long I walk around filled with grief.
A raging fever burns within me,
and my health is broken.
I am exhausted and completely crushed.
My groans come from an anguished heart.
You know what I long for, Lord;
you hear my every sigh.
Do not abandon me, O LORD.
Do not stand at a distance, my God.
Come quickly to help me,
O Lord my savior.

Psalm 68:4-6
Sing praises to God and to his name!
Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.
His name is the LORD—
rejoice in his presence!
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—
this is God, whose dwelling is holy.
God places the lonely in families;
he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.

Psalm 98:4-9
Shout to the LORD, all the earth;
break out in praise and sing for joy!
Sing your praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song,
with trumpets and the sound of the ram’s horn.
Make a joyful symphony before the LORD, the King!
Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!
Let the earth and all living things join in.
Let the rivers clap their hands in glee!
Let the hills sing out their songs of joy
before the LORD,
for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with justice,
and the nations with fairness.

Psalm 128
How joyful are those who fear the LORD—
all who follow his ways!
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be!
Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
as they sit around your table.
That is the LORD’s blessing
for those who fear him.
May the LORD continually bless you from Zion.
May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live.
May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
May Israel have peace!

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This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. ¹¹ You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. ¹² He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, ¹³ both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. ¹⁴ Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” – Genesis 17:10-14

I don’t like to say no. It’s most likely because I want everyone to like me. I want people to think well of me, and I figure if I say no, I’ll disappoint people. I know I should be more willing to say no when necessary. I also know that having everyone like you is neither possible nor healthy. So I work on it. But I still would rather say yes, find a way to make things happen, open doors, and allow access than say no. 

Not long ago I learned the trick of the positive no. It goes like this: “I think your idea is quite interesting, and in another setting it might really work well. But since we’re dedicated to ______, and this would undercut that, we’ll not be able to agree to it.” It’s a long way of saying no. Sometimes you just have to say no. 

There are sticking points of Scripture that I would rather not deal with. Issues around truth and salvation, condemnation, and judgment. Truth around issues of the day like sexuality, marriage, and the exclusive nature of salvation only through Jesus. I would rather that everyone simply believed what the Bible says, and was willing to accept the authority of Scripture and of God. 

Sadly, however, that’s not the case. Plenty of people – even those who claim to follow Jesus – trot out their personal spin on items of faith and life. As a colleague once said, “People like to use the Bible to justify whatever they want to do.” Ugh. 

But in the case of the covenant of God’s grace, there is a very simple line: You’re in or you’re out. In the case of Abraham and the people of the Old Testament, it’s all about circumcision. In the case of you and me, it’s all about our baptismal faith. Do you believe, trust, hope in, and wait for the eternal blessings of Jesus? Do you believe he is your righteousness? Are you baptized into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Do you repent daily and daily drown the old nature? Do you rely on God’s grace in Jesus? It’s that simple. 

But sadly there are those who do not believe. They dismiss the idea that they are sinners in need of redemption. They refuse to acknowledge that they must give an account to God. They reject the idea that there will be a judgment day. They deny the grace of God because they don’t believe they need it. They remove themselves from the Covenant of God’s grace. 

I’d rather that was not true. But I don’t have the last say here. God does. And thankfully his last word is centered in the forgiveness of sins, the hope of the resurrection, and the promise of the life of the world to come. These come through faith in Jesus Christ. That’s the part I really like!

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 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, ¹³ both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. ¹⁴ Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” – Genesis 17:12-14

It used to be on the side of the large five-drawer file cabinet. The file cabinet was in my office at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Arlington. It was obvious to anyone who came in. “I KNOW THE FUTURE…GOD WINS!” Black with white letters. The text grew from left to right. Beyond that it was fairly plain. And as much as it says, the message is pretty good.

But there is much more to say. For if God is gracious, this is good news. If God is merciful, this is good news. If God is angry with the whole world, this is not good news. If God is waiting to trounce on any who sin, this is very bad news. If God is just, well… This is the catch. For justice demands balanced scales. Justice demands sins be paid for. Justice demands that evil be requited.

God is just. His judgment of the world during the days of Noah show that. His banishment of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden demonstrate it. The whole Bible testifies to this: “The soul that sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:20). If God is going to punish sins, and see that righteousness prevails, Houston has a problem. And so does St. Louis, Rome, Moscow, New York City, Berlin, Beijing, Nairobi, and every other city in the world. And so does Cypress, Texas…and every other name place in the world. And so does 123 Main Street, and every other address in the world. And so do I, and every other person in the world. 

Thankfully, however, God is not only just. He is also gracious and good, merciful and forgiving. All that will come into full view years later when God’s Son is born. Jesus will be all that every man, woman, and child was designed to be. Perfect righteousness, unwavering love, consistent faithfulness, and godly priorities will shape all he thinks, says, and does.

Sacrificial love will send Jesus to the cross for you and for me. He will be raised from the dead. He will come again at the end of time. This is God’s ultimate plan. Though it is not yet known to Abraham, it will come to pass. Abraham is looking forward to the birth of a son, Isaac. This was God’s promise to him. But the Son to be born – who himself will be a descendant of Abraham – is not to come for many centuries.

In the mean time, Isaac will be born. Abraham and Sarah will carry on with their lives. And people yet to be part of Abraham’s household will be brought into the covenant of God’s grace. Marked in those days with circumcision, even slaves yet to be bought, and children yet to be born will be welcomed into God’s Covenant of Grace. This is the plan of God. This is the future of God’s people.

My trite but true bumper sticker hints at something. There is a future hope. There is a plan. And it’s hinted at in the words, “Every male throughout your generations.” The New Testament gives witness to our place in God’s plan. We have been chosen before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) to be part of God’s Covenant of Grace. Satan will do all he can to thwart that plan. Men and women will color outside all the lines of that plan. Temptation will seek to lure people from the path of faith and make shipwreck of their faith.

But God wins! No matter what. And those who long for his redemption can be certain that come Satan or shipwreck, stumble or sin, repentance puts us back into that covenant of grace. That’s a future hope for which I am deeply thankful. I hope you are too.

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He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Genesis 17:12-14

These are the days of intense political correctness, and critical theories. Some wonder how we’ve gotten here. Everyone from Civil War heroes to Founding Fathers and Televangelists to Hollywood stars are being scrutinized. He owned slaves. He Abused women. He embezzled funds. Everyone has a past subject to the worst possible conclusions. No one is free from accusation.

It’s obvious that those who abused their power or position need forgiveness. And what of those who were abused? What of the slaves? What of those who were cheated? It should be no less obvious that those who have been mistreated need redemption. The grace and goodness of God is a treasure for all people.

I read a book once about adult survivors of sexual abuse. The major premise of the book was that these survivors had one need above all others. It was a stunning proposition. Victims need forgiveness more than anything else. You may wonder how anyone could arrive at that conclusion. But certainly you would agree that victims need rescuing.

That makes these words of God to Abraham about circumcision so very precious. This covenant of God’s grace is not reserved for powerful and successful. This covenant is for all people. It includes slaves. It includes the son of a woman who was used and discarded by Abraham and Sarah. God will rescue us all from the just deserts and grave consequences of sin.

Perhaps you have been abused by the powerful people in your live. Maybe those more worldly-wise have taken advantage of your naïveté. You may have walked into a trap that you should have seen coming and been ambushed in front of colleagues or friends. You might have done one of those things to someone else.

We all fit into at least one of these categories. Either by means of Satan’s deceptions and accusations, whiles and schemes, or the subterfuge of our own sinful flesh. We are all in a world of broken relationships and fallen people.

God’s covenant of grace will restore all things to their rightful places. Scales will be rebalanced. Sin will be atoned for, and sinners will be forgiven. Victims will be restored. The high and mighty will be brought low and the lowly will be exalted.

This is shown here in the inclusion of slaves and masters, aliens and Abraham’s own household. We may suffer the consequences of our own failures or others’ sins against us. But we are not removed from God’s reign and reign. Those who embrace that by faith will discover how sweet is the redemption of God.

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And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.”

Genesis 17:9-10

We recently got a new-to-us car. It’s a white SUV. Just like the one it replaced. But something curious: we’ve noticed more white SUVs on the roads these days than we had before. Perhaps it’s simply that awareness of them is enhanced by the new vehicle we are driving. I don’t think it’s because there are actually more of them on the road than ever before. It might also be that we’ve been on a road trip, and with more miles come more hours and more opportunities to spot white SUVs.

When I first began delving into a more dedicated study of the Bible, I made a similar discovery about baptism. As I read the New Testament – especially the letters to the various churches – I began to see references to baptism all over the place. There’s the reference to the cloak of righteousness that we have through baptism (Galatians 3:27). Paul reminds us that the one who does the baptizing is not as important as Jesus, the One into whom we have been baptized (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). And there’s the connection between baptism and circumcision (Colossians 2:11).

No one questions the idea that women should be baptized. That’s not really curious, but it is notable. For baptism is the New Testament replacement for circumcision. The boys were to be circumcised at 8 days of age. But baptism applies to all people. There is no age or sex limitation on baptism. Jesus commands his disciples to make disciples of all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Women, men, girls, boys, infants and children: all are to be baptized.

The choice in regard to both circumcision and baptism is that of the parents. They did ask their boys if they wanted to be circumcised. They simply were to have them circumcised. So too with baptism. Just like circumcision, we need not ask our children whether they wish to be baptized. They are not even aware that they need it!

Which leads me to think about how we live out all this. In the case of Christian families, we are to have our children baptized. It’s the command of Jesus. But it’s not the whole command of Jesus. He also commands that we teach those we baptize to obey all things he has commanded. Living it out means that we teach our children to live in the ways of Jesus.

If we have been baptized, we are to live like those who belong to Jesus. God has put his name on us. We are his children. We have been washed and set aside to live a different kind of life as we reflect our true identity as children of God.

As such, perhaps we will have a greater awareness of others who live a new and different life. Certainly we can look for others who are living a new life – especially if we are living a new life of faithful obedience. That’s not quite the same as noticing other white SUVs, nor even remotely as important. It’s far more important. And a deepening awareness of our status and identity as people of God through baptism and faith will serve us well as we look for peple along the same path, and encourage others to join us along that path as well.

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And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Genesis 17:9-14

I’ll admit, I wondered how to handle this particular part of the Abraham narrative. I know we’re all mature people. We don’t need to snicker in the corner when we talk about circumcision. But circumcision is no longer a requirement for God’s people – any more than observances of Old Testament rituals and laws (cf. Acts 15:28-29). Furthermore, this practice has been replaced – or better yet, subsumed – by baptism (Colossians 2:11-12).

Two words from Matthew Henry’s Commentary on this passage do strike me, however: “The covenant of grace is from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the consequences of it.” In other words, the idea of God’s grace is no new idea, originating even in the times of Abraham. It springs from eternity, from the heart and character of God. And this covenant of grace is eternal in its consequences: God’s grace impacts every aspect of our lives throughout all eternity.

The idea that God somehow had to start over when Adam and Eve sinned springs from a very short-sighted vision and human-limited understanding of God’s nature. God knows all things. There are no surprises with him. He saw it all coming. That means he knew Adam and Eve would sin. He knew he would call Abraham. He knew Isaac would be born. He also knew Jesus would be born. And live. And suffer. And die. And rise. And come again.

God has no Plan B when it comes to the eternal glory of his grace. It was part of his plan from before the beginning. And our eternity will be filled with praises to his glorious grace (cf. Ephesians 1:3-6). God is all about grace. It’s part of his character. And it’s what brings us to him and sustains us along the way.

It is so very encouraging to me also that this covenant extends not only to Abraham and his son Isaac who will be born to fulfill God’s initial promise to Abraham and Sarah. It also extends to Ishmael and all who are brought into Abraham’s family are part of it. This grace is broad. That might mean there is room in the grace of God for me! And if there is room for me, might there also be room for you?

For your personal meditation and reflection on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 1
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 31:23-24
Love the LORD, all you his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the LORD!

Psalm 61:1-3
Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

Psalm 91:1-6
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

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When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Genesis 17:1-2

I walk by faith. Each step by faith. To live by faith I put my trust in you. So goes the children’s song. So was the command of God to Abraham: “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” So went the life of Abraham. So goes life for one who believes in Jesus. After all, Jesus’ inaugeral sermon was “The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.”

So what does it mean to walk by faith? If we take seriously the life of Abraham we will learn much. First of all, it involves a lot of waiting. Abraham and Sarah have waited for a long time for the birth of a son God had promised. They will wait 13 more years. Walking faithfully involves waiting. Waiting, hoping, and trusting are braided together in a life of walking with God in faithfulness.

If we are waiting we are anticipating something. Something specific. In this case it is the fulfillment of the specific promise of God to Abraham: “You will have a son.” He is not waiting for merely a good feeling. He is not waiting for a spiritual sense of peace. He is waiting for a son. A promised son. And he will continue to wait.

Faith also looks beyond human obstacles to God’s plans. Abraham and Sarah are both well past the age of child bearing. It may or may not qualify for Sarah to become pregnant. You might even wonder how they would even manage to conceive. Abraham and Sarah do not let these stand in the way of God’s promises taking flesh in the birth of the son who will be born to them. Faith looks for real fulfillments of real promises no matter what path that takes. No matter how difficult the fulfillment of the promise appears.

Faith also follows where God leads. Here the words of God may confuse us. God tells Abraham to walk before him faithfully and be blameless. That doesn’t sound like following God. But to walk before God is to be aware of his presence as we go from day to day. That will surely shape the decisions we make, and the way we live.

Abraham will wait a long time. But the son will be born. He will also face a grave challenge to his faith when he takes Isaac to the mountain God would show him. Such is the walk of faith.

We have been given a promise by God. It is centered in Jesus who fulfilled all the promises of God about the coming Savior. God calls us to wait, hope, and trust in him. He calls us to walk faithfully before him. That will take time. But he is faithful and true. And he will be with you the whole way.

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When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

Genesis 17:1-7

“This distinction between Law and Gospel is one of the very unique contributions of us Lutherans. I mean it, no one else has it so clearly expressed as we do.” My seminary professor instilled that on us early in our studies. Another professor, when speaking of C.F.W. Walther’s Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel said, “I think he knew his students pretty well. I took that as a word of grace. The book convicted me deeply. I wasn’t sure I could ever be faithful enough to preach or serve as a pastor. He told us, in effect, that no one is qualified by himself. The pursuit of that proper distinction is a lifelong effort.

It’s simple, really. The Law always condemns. It gives no quarter. It kills. It shows us our sins. Abram must realize this on some level. For when he encounters God almighty, he falls on his face. Some would say this is showing respect for a superior. But Abraham does not do this before Pharaoh. This is deep humility, and must be on some level an admission of his deficency.

But God has good news. This is the gospel: God loves us first and unconditionally. He showed that love by sending Jesus who is in no way deficient. And through faith in Jesus we are declared to be righteous. He is our sufficiency.

But what of this command here: Abraham is to walk in obedience with God. This is not merely an exercise in humility for Abraham. This is how he lives out his identity under God’s grace and within the covenant God is making.

Covenant and Kingdom helps us express our relationship with God. In a sense you could say that Law/Gospel is the center of God’s covenant with us. Living that out is in the realm of God’s rule and reign (kingdom).

Abraham is to live in such a way that he will represent God and express God’s reign and rule for all to see. How will he do that? That is what will continue to unfold in this saga of faith.

Whatever else we may learn here, we must recognize that God has a claim on us because of his love. He calls us to a life of faithful obedience. The more we learn about God’s character, the better we will be able to express that in our daily lives.

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When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, ² that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” ³ Then Abram fell on his face. – Genesis 17:1-2

You’ve been given a precious gift. What is the proper response? You’ve been highly honored before your peers. What is the appropriate posture? You’ve encountered something gravely fearful, but utterly good. What do you do? Abraham, Isaiah, Peter, and even the crowd who came to arrest Jesus all did the same thing. They showed utter humility. Either falling to the ground, or in the case of Peter, saying, “Depart from me. I am a sinful man.” Would that we would learn that attitude.

I believe it’s true: We have forgotten what it means to fear, love, and trust in God. We have a friend in Jesus. He is kind and compassionate. He is merciful and full of lovingkindness. These all make possible loving and trusting God. But Abraham falls on his face when God speaks a word of promise to him again. Isaiah says, “Woe is me. I am ruined” (Isaiah 6:6). Job finally has to repent in sackcloth and ashes when he encounters God fully. 

Perhaps we have not encountered God in quite that way. Maybe we read words on the pages of scripture and learn truth apart from actually encountering God. In fact, however, not every revelation of God is identical for each person. I didn’t see Jesus walk on water. I haven’t had a vision of God with the train of his robe filling a smoke-filled throne room. God has not fluffed up a cloud for a God to man talk with me. 

But I have looked over the chasm of sin and death, and realized that were it not for God’s grace, I would have no hope at all. I have had to repent in tears for things I’ve done that I would never want others to know of. I have had to speak the words of the confession, “I a poor miserable sinner confess unto you all my sins and iniquities…” Not because they’re in the order of worship. But because I felt it deeply. 

There will come a time when Abraham bargains with God over the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. There has already come a time when Abram reminded God that he had no son, even though God had promised that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars of the heavens. Peter will leave his own sin at the cross and go on to a bold witness for the crucified and risen Savior. Isaiah says, “Here am I, send me!” Job had his fortunes restored. 

The place of utter humility on our face before God is not meant to be a permanent place. We need to go there to the extent that God convicts us of our sins. But we need, also to hear God’s call to walk with him faithfully, and live to his honor. And trust his promises. He will not fail you. Or me. Or anyone who puts her faith in him. 

In the end, our posture will be hands raised in joy and praise to God for his glorious grace. That will be quite a day!