David Bahn – Reflections

The Lord filled Zion with justice and righteousness; he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. – Isaiah 33:5–6

Jesus said, “As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’” – Matthew 10:7

These are not “God-is-in-his-heaven-and-all’s-right-with-the-world” times. Iranian nuclear fears, Russia election meddling, North Korean saber-rattling conspire against an “all’s-right-in-the-world, peaceful-easy-feeling.” Add to those global issues any personal angst, and the words of Jesus ring true in our ears: ” In the world you will have tribulation…” (John 16:33).

Isaiah offers a ray of hope for people in challenging times: The Lord will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. What a refreshing assurance this is. No peace treaty; no global coalition; no miracle cure will ever deliver us completely from the turmoil of this life. But what we cannot provide for ourselves God gives by his grace.

Jesus tells his people to proclaim Good News as we go. The rule and reign of God has come. Jesus is on his throne. And he – to complete the quote above from John 16) has “overcome the world.”

God is in his heaven, but that does not mean he is not involved in the affairs of man. When we make our way through the world, and encounter people in turmoil, situations of upheaval, and evidence of Satan’s ploys, God’s people are to proclaim Good News. God rules and he is writing a story that has more chapters than the current state of affairs is revealing.

Remember when things looked their very darkest it was actually Jesus’ finest hour. His perfect faith, his unconditional love, and his unwavering obedience was earning our salvation. He was winning when it looked like all was lost.

When those “all’s right with the world” times come, thank God. But be sure of this that reality is not tied to any outward peace. It is tied to the rule and reign of God in the hearts of his people – a rule of grace, mercy, love, and peace.

You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ – Lamentations 3:57

When Jesus saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning. – Mark 6:48

The pastor at the church we attended while visiting our family in Germany made a very insightful point. He said, “The issue with most people is not one of belief in God. It is an issue of submission to God’s authority.” I believe he is correct. But what appears as willfulness and a stubborn refusal to repent is actually fear at its core. Fear can be a very inscrutable thing.

When people refuse to believe, or who make their belief in God something that is far off and not touching their everyday life, it is in the end a fear of losing control over their own destiny. I don’t want to give over control of my body, my decisions, my pursuits, or my goals to anyone who does not have my best interest at heart. In fact, I don’t even want to give control to someone who does have my best interests at heart. Otherwise we would obey God perfectly, trust those who love us completely, and follow Jesus perfectly.

Jeremiah speaks of God coming near and telling him not to be afraid. This is a refrain of God, Jesus, and the angels: “Don’t be afraid…”

• I bring you good news of great joy. (Luke 2:10)
• for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:8)
• go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)
• for your prayer has been heard (Luke 1:13)
• only believe, and she will be well. (Luke 8:50)

When Jesus came to the apostles walking on the water they were terrified. Once they realized it was Jesus they also had to realize how awesome, mighty, majestic, holy, glorious, and dangerous he really is. I’m reminded of the song that says that God’s love is like a hurricane. Yes: in its power and might. But even the hurricanes are directed by a hand we cannot see. God is behind it all.

In C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia one of the characters speaks of Aslan – the Christ figure. “Safe! Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Our God is dangerous to all who would refuse to repent and believe, all who would for this time fail to submit to him. But he is eternally good, merciful, gracious and loving to all who believe and – even with fear – welcome his presence.

Happy are those who consider the poor; the Lord delivers them in the day of trouble. – Psalm 41:1

Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

At one time in our lives, Diane and I were nearly destitute. We counted our money, and we had a total of $4.17 to our name. We counted every penny. We had food in the refrigerator and cabinets, and anticipated a paycheck at the end of the week. But we had no other funds. By today’s standards we were poor. Thankfully, however, our poverty was soon alleviated, and we were blessed by some people who were very generous toward us. Someone considered us and helped us bear the burdens of studying to be a pastor and dealing with a very menial job that Diane had to support me.

We’ve tried never to forget those days. It set the scene for our approach to giving and caring for people in need. We feel guilty today if we don’t respond to people in dire straits. We’ve received so much. We truly want to be generous.

Our motive for doing this is not to insure that we will be delivered in the day of trouble. It is in part be to fulfill the law of Christ. But most of all, it is out of deeply thankful hearts that we are moved to be generous when we are able. That and an awareness of the incredible blessings we have received from God in the financial realm alone – not to mention the blessings of family, friends, opportunities to travel, and open doors of life and ministry that God sets before us so often.

When I think of poor people, I think of people far worse off than we ever were. People in refuge camps like Aleppo, or the down-and-out people who are truly destitute. Then comes the inevitable question: How about the panhandler on the street corner? I see him there day after day, week after week, for years! He’s going home at night having made a nice haul. He’s on the dole. I consider such people more lost and poor than they know. Either they have sold their soul for the money they are collecting, or they are in such desperate need that they will subject themselves to ridicule, abuse, and inhuman treatment to get their needs met.

If I help out someone who doesn’t really need the help; shame on him. If I fail to help someone who really does need help, shame on me. The answer for me, therefore, is simple: Consider the poor. Help them as I am able, to bear the burdens which they carry.

My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. – Isaiah 56:7

Jesus said, “The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.” – John 4:23

After a round of golf many years ago, I was enjoying a cold drink with a member of the country club where we played. He asked of someone else, “Is he a MOT?” MOT stands for member of the tribe, and for him it was important to know that. In his mind if you were not a MOT you weren’t as important or worthy as one who was.

Not so with God. He desires that all people come to him. He opens his heart to all who would seek him in spirit and truth. He wants his house to be a house of prayer for all peoples, nations, people groups, tribes, and ethnicities.

The cornerstone of St. John has the Isaiah passage engraved on it: “My house shall be a house of prayer for all peoples.” We  desire that people will find our church to be a prayerful church, living and breathing with the grace and truth of God in Jesus Christ, and offering people the opportunity to call on God in prayer, seeking his mercy, help, and guidance.

That means we give attention to prayer not just as a formal activity during the worship service, but as a living reality that shapes our meetings, fellowship, ministry efforts and mission activities. We spend time praying at the beginning of the elders meetings, and will regularly offer to pray for those who express a concern our reveal a trouble in their life.

We do so because we believe that prayer honors God, is the essence of worship, and a treasure of the church for which we thank God. I am struck by the desire of God for all people to come to him and find their life and salvation in him. I am delighted that he is seeking me out and desires that I worship him. I pray that more and more people will discover with us the blessings of God’s goodness, and join us in his house of prayer called St. John Lutheran Church.

O Lord, you are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living. Psalm 142:5

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

When we left our family in Germany our daughter-in-law told her children that she had a surprise for them that afternoon. The surprise, albeit a delayed one, was that their dad would be arriving back home that day – a couple of days earlier than they had planned. They two young girls cried, again and again, “Tell me what is the surprise!” They desperately wanted to know. They would have to wait; she would not tell them.

I some manner or another such is the plight of we who hold faith in Jesus Christ. We want to know what the future will bring, but it is not ours to know. With one major exception: There will be a Great Last Day, and Jesus will return, and those who are his will be forever with him in eternal gladness, praise, and joy. The remainder of the details are strongly hinted at in the New Testament by parable and teaching, but those details are sketchy and many mysteries remain.

In the mean time, we live in eternal hope. In the mean time our living faith sustains us. In the mean time, even when we face death we can hold to a hope for life, victory, and salvation.

This is, for me, the on-going life-long challenge: keeping heaven in mind while living in the here and now. The hope we have for and on the Great Last Day is real and truly good beyond our wildest dreams. In the mean time we have a living hope for each day.

Whether facing uncertain financial challenges, dealing with family relationship difficulties, navigating complex work-related dynamics, or battling a potentially terminal disease, we have a living hope in God’s goodness, faithfulness, love, grace, salvation, and mercy. Jesus’ resurrection establishes that hope and holds it secure for us.

Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6

Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

I’m reading a spy novel – some summer pleasure reading – in which the protagonists are hard at each other. Subterfuge, deceit, elaborate plans, and technology versus human assets are all aligned against each other. Although I’m 80% finished with the book, I’m not certain how it will turn out. This author is not wedded to happily-ever-after denouements. I am sufficiently drawn in to the story to hope that the good guy wins, but that remains to be seen. The forces of evil are strong, and willing to unleash the vilest of weapons for their purposes.

With God, however, there is no doubt as to the outcome of his help and purposes for our good. Jonathan makes this claim in the midst of a most significant context. He has hatched a plan to defeat the Philistines. As he is explaining his plan to his armor bearer, he makes the startling statement which actually proceeds this quote above:

“Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” – 1 Samuel 14:6

Jonathan’s comment, “It may be,” echoes a reality we all face whenever we call on God in prayer. There is no doubt of God’s ability to help us. The question most of us face is not “Can God save us?” but rather, “Will God save us?”

Faith makes all the difference. But faith is not something we gin up in a flurry of religious fervor. Such faith is a gift of God – as is all faith. Whether it is heroic faith or saving faith, without God’s Holy Spirit any belief in God’s help and intervention is wishful thinking. That is not the stuff of true confidence in God’s saving help. This is the faith of the woman with the issue of blood who touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. It’s the essence of the four men who let their friend down through the hole in the roof so that Jesus would heal him. It is the faith of Martha who said to Jesus, “But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you” (John 11:22).

This is a mystery. I’ve experienced such faith very few times in my life. I wasn’t trying to manipulate God, or put him in a corner. In one particular instance, I was simply completely confident that he was going to answer my prayer in behalf of a couple who were struggling in their marriage.

Such a faith starts with a complete confidence in God’s ability to answer prayer, and a belief that God cannot be thwarted in his saving work. It is bolstered in the confidence of God’s goodness, grace and good will toward us – shown most fully in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Precious are those moments when we are given the faith to believe that he will help in our time of need.

O Lord of hosts, you are God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:16

Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles. Revelation 19:11 (GNT)

We were visiting family in another part of the world recently, and I was very proud of myself when I could navigate home from the restaurant successfully. I required only the assurance as I approached an intersection that I was about to take the correct turn – and that without GPS! There are, moreover, many ways to get to and our destinations: take your pick! Some, however, are better than others.

The same is claimed of God. Some will say, “All roads lead to heaven.” Those who make that claim dismiss the “you alone” part of Isaiah’s message. They will readily accept the idea of a multiple choice pantheon of gods: take your pick. Some are better than others, but any one of them will suffice. Achieve a higher level of consciousness. Make peace with your inner self. Learn to live out the five pillars. These are but some the options available. Of all the gods – and Hinduism has 1000’s of them – there are only two basic theological alternatives. Either you find your way to God, inner peace, true enlightenment, or a full life, or God finds his way to you and brings salvation to you.

The latter is the confession of the Christian faith. We believe that there is but one God, and that we have no power or means by which we are able to come to him, find our way into his graces, or be saved. But what we cannot do, God has done for us in Jesus Christ his Son. The Creator of the Universe alone is God, and he has come to us, and will come to us again on the Great Last Day with justice in faithfulness and truth.

In these days of optional or relative truth, when true faithfulness is not expected even of those who govern us, it is good to be reminded of the One True God. He alone is the creator and preserver of the world and everything in it. He alone is faithful, just and true. We dare not look to any other.

Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain. – Psalm 119:36

The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. – 1 Timothy 6:10-11

A recent trip to the Apple Store at a local mall proved to be an experience like few others. The store was packed with people. You signed in at the entrance and took a high-tech number, waiting for your turn. That’s true even if you have an appointment! The store creates a target-rich environment for Apple to sell their hardware and services. On the other side of that coin, it is a target-rich environment for those who want to have the latest and coolest tech gear around. Whether you go to the Apple Store, Amazon.com, or a real brick and mortar retail store, you are in a target-rich environment. Everywhere you turn there are opportunities to buy stuff and spend money.

It was certainly not the same in the Psalmist’s or Paul’s days when they wrote these words. Opportunities to buy stuff and spend money were present, but not like they are in the modern emporiums of capitalism that surround us today. If, therefore, these warnings were appropriate for people of their days, how much more so are they for us (read: “me”)!

The issues of concern, however, aren’t just stuff and money – although they are convenient application points for my own reflection. The issues are selfishness and false gods, and ultimately the one false-god we all must dethrone: the false god of self.

If a god is that to which we look for the highest good in life, then money, and stuff are gods for many of us. For most Christians, moreover, money is the chief rival god. But money and stuff serve an even more sinister false god: SELF.

My dad used to tell me that money could serve me, or I could serve my money. I had a real struggle with that growing up. But even if we tame the money monster turning it into a servant rather than a master, we still need to deal with our prideful attempts to enthrone ourselves above all others.

This is why it is so important to teach, study, meditate on, and memorize God’s word. For we all contend constantly with selfish desires and become our own little gods with stuff and the money necessary to buy it as our chief goal in life. Rather we should all strive to become little Christs: imitators of the one who loved God first and loved the world enough to sacrifice himself for our redemption, forgiveness, and salvation. The only way we can stay true to that calling is to turn our hearts to God’s decrees, and reject all temptation to selfish gain. That truly is our highest good.

Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. Isaiah 45:15

No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. John 1:18

I’ve spoken before of the Horse Whisperer, Monty Roberts. His ability to take a wild stallion and have it follow him around an enclosed horse pen within 20 minutes is remarkable. To watch it is almost a spiritual experience for me. You can watch the video below if you are interested.

Jesus himself demonstrated this invitation/challenge approach to people in his conversations with various people. To the woman at the well, he told her she should ask him for a drink if she realized who he was – just a bit of challenge there. But with the Canaanite woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter, Jesus said, “It’s not good to give the children’s bread to the dogs.” (Cf. Matthew 15:21-28). His desire was not to drive her away in the end; he wanted her to embrace a real substantive faith – not a faith of convenience.

When we encounter moments of the hiddenness of God we tend not to think of God whispering us closer, but wonder whether God has abandoned us, and can even despair of his goodness. If all we have about God is his hiddenness, we can all too easily despair of God’s love toward us. But we are not left only with God’s hiddenness. We are given the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. For God desires to be known by us, not remaining hidden from us. God has made himself known by taking on human flesh – still hiding his complete and unmitigated glory in favor of our ability to know and love him. For if we saw the fullness of his glory we would die. Remember Isaiah’s response to that revelation (Isaiah 6:1-7)!

God does, I’m convinced, hide himself so that we seek him more earnestly. He hides himself because he is not just another religious alternative – a “take your pick of whatever religion seems best to you” deity. God is the King eternal, the LORD Almighty, the Holy God. He is awesome and mighty, past finding out apart from his seeking and revealing himself to us through nature, conscience – and most important – through Scripture. We may not have seen God, but we can believe in him through the power of the Holy Spirit, and his grace in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son.

PS: If you want to see the Horse Whisperer in action, click here.

The mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

Majestic Mountain | Northern California | July 2018

I remember being very excited as a young man as we headed out on a family vacation to Colorado. I had never seen mountains before, and I was anxiously looking forward to the experience. I truly had no idea what to expect – which became crystal clear to me the moment I actually saw the Rocky Mountains! It was an awesome sight, and once I saw them I was certain that I had seen real mountains.

The prophet Isaiah speaks for God declaring that mountains and hills don’t last forever. Whether that’s true because of a cataclysmic earthquake, volcano eruption, or by the realities of 5000 years of erosion, mountains and hills are not eternal.

Perhaps we need to take that to heart. Whether it’s catastrophic flooding, the ravages of a tornado, or the epic power of a hurricane, our hold on life is tenuous. Investing only in worldly things fails to account for their fleeting nature.

God’s word, his steadfast love, and God’s covenant of peace are eternal. They offer a security that surpasses the worst natural disasters, the gravest personal calamities, and the most horrifying dangers of this life.

God’s steadfast love will never waver from us. It is the steady in every stormy gale. His promise of peace is more certain than the highest mountain or the most beautiful hills. His compassion and the gift of his Son is eternal.

Next time you see a beautiful mountain range or a grand mountain, remember the even more grand and beautiful promise of God for eternal life and salvation through faith in his Son.