“I am Yahweh, your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people didn’t listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.” (Psalm 81:10-11)

The One through whom all things have their being gave goodness to the people, but they turned their backs and went their own way. He who rescued them and kept them from becoming nothing, showed them miracles, but many mixed in the crowd would not listen. Listen now and hear the word of the Lord. He speaks that all who listen would not be absorbed into the crowd of unbelievers and become as nothing. Come to Him and learn truth.

Lord, You lift up those who turn to You, but many reject You and go their own way. Help me see that I can make the difference for my life by faithfully listening to You and humbly following in the way You have established. Guide me in the salvation You have prepared in the sight of all people that I may come into Your presence and dwell with You my God. Guide me in wisdom and truth.

Lord Jesus, You have come as the final rescue for all who believe. As many as believe will not perish, but come into everlasting life. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You have prepared that I may learn from You how to live the life You have given. Lift me up out of the mess of this world to see in You the only hope for us all. Help me share with others what You have shared with me that I may abide in You always. Amen.

A MODEL FATHER

Devotional for Fathers’ Day 2018 based upon Genesis 21: 8-21

I am writing the devotional for this week for a particular group of people, though everyone else is welcome to read it. I am writing to those whose fathers were not ideal fathers. They were not everything they should have been as fathers. Some of these fathers are still alive, so there still might be a chance for their children to work on that all important relationship. Some fathers are gone, so their children can no longer make that relationship better, but they can still work on making their own lives better if they can find peace in their pain and a healing of their memories.

The hard, cold fact is that many fathers are not ideal, model fathers. For example, Abraham was not an ideal, model father.

Now that may kind of surprise you because we think of Abraham as a great man of faith. As the great father of both the Hebrew nation and the Arab people. But Abraham, in his relationship with his older son Ishmael, was far from being a model father.

What great joy Abraham must have felt when he finally was able to have a son by his wife, Sarah. It was a miracle – a gift from God. Both Abraham and Sarah were in their nineties. They named their son Isaac, which means “laughter,” because, by giving them a son, God had given them their laughter back.

When Isaac was three years old, Abraham threw a big party. But in the midst of all the celebrating, Abraham’s wife, Sarah, saw something that made her very upset. She saw Isaac playing with his half-brother, Ishmael.

Now Ishmael also was Abraham’s son. But Ishmael’s mother was a slave woman by the name of Hagar. When God seemed slow to act – at least slow according to Abraham’s timetable – in fulfilling His promise to make Abraham the father of a great nation, Abraham decided that he needed to help God out, so he took matters into his own hands and had a son by the slave woman, Hagar. After the birth of Ishmael, Sarah and Hagar did not get along at all. There was deep resentment and bitterness on Sarah’s part, so at the family celebration, when she saw Ishmael playing with Isaac, she flew into a rage. She told her husband, Abraham, to get rid of that woman and her son. She did not even call them by name. She was so eaten up with jealousy that she wanted Hagar and Ishmael out of her life forever.

Abraham must have lacked either the guts or the know-how to intervene and solve the problem between the mothers of his two children. I’ve seen it happen many times. Some of the worst of tensions erupt at what should be the happiest of family gatherings. In the midst of what should have been a joyous occasion, Sarah became so upset just because she saw Ishmael playing with her young son, Isaac. There is no indication that Ishmael was in any way being mean or abusive towards his younger half-brother. It just says that they were playing together at a family celebration.

Sarah wanted action, and she wanted it now. How sad. How sad for Sarah – for allowing herself to become so consumed with jealousy and anger. How sad for Hagar – to be cast out and now not have someone to provide for her. How sad for Isaac – to no longer be able to have a relationship with his half-brother. But especially how sad for Ishmael. To have a father who rejected him, cast him out, cut him off, sent him away.

I am sure that Abraham loved Ishmael deeply. I am certain that he was greatly distressed over the thought of having to send him away. It was during this time of great confusion and pain that God spoke once again to Abraham. (Thank you, Lord, for speaking to us in our times of greatest confusion and pain.) God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the boy and because of the slave woman. I will make a nation of him also, because he is your son.” And so, in what is one of the saddest scenes in the entire Bible, Abraham gives in to Sarah and sends Hagar and Ishmael away. He casts them out into the desert with only a skin filled with water and a little bit of bread. How long did Abraham think that they would be able to survive with so little food and water?

I live in the Phoenix area. Day time temperatures are now consistently over 100 degrees. Every summer we hear and read stories of people who go hiking in the desert with not enough water. They do not survive. How long did Abraham think Hagar and Ishmael were going to be able to survive?

When their scanty provisions were gone, Hagar did the best thing she could. She found some shade and left her son there. Then she sat down quite a ways away, looking in the opposite direction. She cried out to anyone who might hear her, “Do not let me look on the death of my child.” Then she sat down and wept.

God heard the cry of the child, so an angel of God called to Hagar and said, “Do not be afraid. Lift up your son and hold him fast, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God showed her a well where she and her son could draw water. They were not going to die in the desert. God would be with them. Ishmael would grow to become “an expert with the bow.” His mother would find a wife for him. God gave great promises to a homeless woman, and God always keeps His promises. They would not be alone. Even though they had been cast out by a very non-ideal earthly father, they still had a perfect, loving, model Heavenly Father who would look out for them.

And that is good news for all of us. That no matter how well or how badly our own earthly fathers may have fulfilled the role of father, and whether or not we still have a chance to make that all important relationship better, still each one of us – like Ishmael – has a perfect, ideal, loving, model Heavenly Father.

And so, you see, the model, ideal father in our Bible story is not Abraham. In some ways Abraham was a very bad father. No, in this story, the model, ideal Father is God. And God wants to be your model, ideal Father. Earthly fathers may let us down, as Abraham let Ishmael down. But our Heavenly Father will never let us down.

And so, on this upcoming Fathers’ Day, let us give thanks for our earthly fathers, who did for us the very best they could in loving us and nurturing us, but who also had their own very real life issues, hurts, and needs to deal with.

But even more, let us give thanks that we, like Ishmael, have a loving, ideal, model Heavenly Father, who will always love us. Who will always take care of us. Even when we are in the desert times of our lives, He will never forsake us, but will always be there for us.

Dennis D. Nelson
President of the Board and Director of Lutheran CORE

“Hear, my people, and I will testify to you, Israel, if you would listen to me! There shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you worship any foreign god.” (Psalm 81:8-9)

The Lord calls to us to come to the One who is true that we may be in Him and He in us. The world goes where it will and believes as it will. The truth speaks and we have the opportunity to listen. Come, worship the One who created you and know His goodness. Come and listen to the Lord, for He will grant you wisdom and understanding. Come and know the Lord, for He is good.

Lord, I do wander off into the realm of the world where they hate You and pretend You are not there. Let not the gods of this world infect my heart. Instead, grow deep within me wisdom and knowledge of the truth that I may abide in You and You in me all the days of my life. Help me to see clearly in this messy world the truth You have revealed for the ages and to abide there.

Lord Jesus, truth in the flesh, guide me now and always to walk humbly in Your example. You have come that all who believe would be set free from the curse of this world and the false gods that occupy it. Lift me up into the light of truth which You have reveled that I may walk in truth. Guide my footsteps to see what is before me and take those steps which are pleasing in the Father’s sight. Amen.

“I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket. You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.” (Psalm 81:6-7)

We may not know it at the time, but the Lord is always there preparing the way for those who love Him. It may seem difficult and even impossible, but with the Lord all things are possible. He will weave together for His purpose all things and bring those who love Him to be with Him forever. Walk in the way of the Lord and know that He will bring about all things for His purpose.

In the twists and turns of life, O Lord, I often do not understand. Help me see that I do not need to fully understand, for You are the Sovereign One and all things are in Your hands. Guide me in the goodness of Your presence that I may walk humbly wherever You lead. Help me to trust You above all things knowing that all things are in Your hands. Guide me to live by the faith You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You came with purpose and fulfilled that purpose that all who believe might be forever united with You. Lead me this day in the truth You have revealed that I would humbly walk in the provision of the Father giving thanks for everything. Lead me by Your example to go where You lead and do what You would have me do. In You I have all the grace I need to walk by faith. Amen.

“For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know.” (Psalm 81:4-5)

In this world, we will experience things that are foreign. Our lives will takes twists and turns that are unanticipated, but the Lord knows all of our days. You have been appointed to give a testimony of the faith you have received amidst those who do not understand what you are talking about. The Lord sends you as His witness to speak the truth and reality of His salvation.

Lord, I often see myself as a foreigner in this world, for many do not receive the word I speak. Yet, it is You who has called me to live humbly in this faith You have given me. Lead me no matter the circumstances to sit at Your feet knowing that You alone hold all things in Your hands. Guide me according to Your mercy to walk with You wherever this life may lead, knowing that all things are in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, You spoke several times about the hostility of this world. It was a hostility that eventually put You to death. Help me know that I should expect no less. Guide me in the goodness You came into this world to bring that I may now and always live according to that goodness and simply be a witness in this world of the truth that You came to reveal. Amen.

“Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob! Raise a song, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant lyre with the harp. Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.” (Psalm 81:1-3)

God is good and provides for all the people. The harvest seasons come and those in need are satisfied. Come and see that the Lord is good; so rejoice and give thanks. Have a thankful heart and join with others to celebrate. We were created to rejoice, praise and give thanks. It comes naturally and we love being together in celebration. Come then and praise the Lord for all things.

Lord, I do love to celebrate. Teach me to rejoice each day in the goodness You provide. Help me now and always to be one who is thankful for the many gifts You provide knowing that all things are made available through Your hand of goodness. Bring me to the place where my celebrations always include You, that I may learn to be truly thankful for all things.

I am thankful, Lord Jesus, that You have led the way. You often joined with others in celebration and have taught us to delight in each other. Guide me, Lord, to walk with You in thankfulness each day knowing that You more than provide for all that is needed. Your love is showered upon us through grace upon grace. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all the good gifts You bestow upon us. Amen.

“Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. So we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name. Turn us again, Yahweh God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.” (Psalm 80:17-19)

We were created to be in fellowship. In union with one another, we can and do prosper. God demonstrates this with Trinity and shows us definitively with His Son who is our Savior. When the people wander off, they flounder, but when they come together to Him, they see the Lord is with them. Come then into the presence of the Lord and walk in His light.

Lord, the wisdom You give seems so simple, but often it is hard to do. Turn my heart to receive You and then do what it is You say. Help me now and always to hear and heed Your Word of wisdom and walk in Your counsel, not as an expectation of results, but as a way of life. In You alone is there hope for any and all people and apart from You comes the guarantee of failure.

Lord Jesus, You are the right hand of the Father Who has come and freed us from the recompense of sin. There is still the battle against sin, death and the forces of darkness. Help me now and always to live into the hope You give knowing that only in You is there life. As You have modeled for us, so help me live in my daily life to be an example for others of fellowship and faithfulness. Amen.

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.   So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28)

People often think that Christian morality rests on blind commitment to a list of rules.  They think so because Christians will sometimes make moral arguments by quoting one or two commands from the Bible.  In this passage, our Lord Jesus Christ shows us a better way.

Someone throws a law at Him—“You can’t work on the Sabbath!”—and He responds by going back to creation: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”  The Redeemer of creation, Jesus unpacks the divine will at work in time and nature alike.  God’s purpose in hallowing the Sabbath was for people to rest in His good work, not to live in the fear of doing work.

So it always goes for Christians.  Morality is not about checking off rules to keep ourselves pure; it’s about living as God has given us to live in His Son, who leads us faithfully into creation as God intends it: pure gift, pure rest, and pure joy.  Forgiven in the blood of Christ, we are free to take up the work He gives us without fear.

LET US PRAY:  O Lord of the Sabbath, You are the rest of the weary and the crown of creation.  Fill the earth with the joy of Your salvation, and write Your law upon our hearts; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God forever.  Amen

Pr. Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau

“The stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself. It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at your rebuke.” (Psalm 80:15-16)

The great nations fall and their power is forever gone. The wicked who maim and destroy are themselves destroyed. It does come to pass as You have said. There is nothing secret that will not be revealed. Lead me, O Lord, to see in You the hope of glory and the truth that all things are always in Your hands. You are bringing all things together for good for those who love You.

Lord, I am often impatient and I want to see it come to pass before my eyes. You have given Your Word that all of us may see the truth that the nations rise and fall before You. Help me see things through Your word and simply trust, no matter the circumstance, in Your good provision. Guide me away from thinking of things from my own viewpoint to thinking on these things through the worldview of Your Word.

Lord Jesus, all things have always been in Your hands. You who have come to lead those who know You into eternal life, guide me now and always in the way that has been established from the beginning. Lift me up to see things as You would have me see them. Give me a heart that looks with love on all and desires the peace You have granted me to be given to others for the Father’s glory. Amen.

“The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it. Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,” (Psalm 80:13-14)

There are those who ravage the lands and feed off others, wrapped in legitimate garb or the outright thief, who come and take what they did not work for. Yet the Lord does amply supply. The Lord provides in spite of the wicked who devour. Yet even if it is devoured by the wicked, still lift your eyes up to the Lord that You may know His goodness and mercy.

Lord, I want revenge against those who have harmed me. Yet it is not what I desire, but the truth that vengeance is Yours and that all things are judged in their time. Lead me to simply look to You, O Lord, and know that You are the One who freely gives that we all may have what is needed. Do hold the wicked at bay if it be Thy will and remind the faithful of Your perfect justice.

Lord Jesus, while yet we were all sinners, You came that we might have liberty from sin by Your grace. Guide me, O Lord, in the way You have established, knowing that You Who will judge all things, hold all things in Your hands. Help me today and every day to simply trust in Your provision of grace and walk by faith in the goodness I have already received from You. Amen.