by Rachael Stelzer
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Read Luke 5:1–11
Peter and his brother and friends had been fishing all night. And they had caught nothing all night. These simple men had not even caught enough fish to feed their families, much less enough to sell to make a profit.
And now this stranger, this itinerant preacher, was telling them to try again on the other side of the boat. It beggared all common sense. What did he know about fishing?
And yet, something about the way he spoke drew Peter in. There was something about him. And Peter figured he had nothing to lose. So, he talked the others into trying again.
And suddenly, they reeled in a catch like they had never seen before. So many fish that they were nearly swamped! They called for reinforcements from the other boat, and both almost sank under the weight of the fish!
And Peter knew without a doubt that something more than an abundant catch was being provided here. Peter recognised the power at work in this man. And his own imperfection. And the fear of God moved him to speak.
‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!’
But the stranger did not turn away. Instead, he calmly said, with a twinkle in his eye, ‘Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be catching people.’
And Peter was hooked from that moment.
Dear Lord, when we recognise the abundance you bring into our lives and communities, we are hooked. May our lives tell the story of your welcome, your leading and your rich love so that others will also be attracted to the abundant life you offer. Amen.
Rachael Stelzer is Primary Head of Faith and Spirituality at Coomera Anglican College near Brisbane. She is a member of Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Rochedale.
A monument to me!
by Tim Klein
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During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, ‘I have no son to carry on the memory of my name.’ He named the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to this day (2 Samuel 18:18).
Read 2 Samuel 18:1–18
Have you ever reflected on these questions: ‘What is my legacy?’ or ‘Who will remember me when I am gone?’
I have a beautiful wife, three children and 10 grandchildren. Will they be my everlasting legacy? I also have several ‘daffodil children’ – seedlings that I hybridised while living in New Zealand. Some are listed in the international daffodil registry. Will that be enough as an everlasting legacy? Or should I perhaps do an ‘Absalom’ and erect a pillar, a statue of myself to be seen by everyone who follows after me?
And then I remember the words of the funeral rite: ashes to ashes, dust to dust. From dust you came and to dust you shall return.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 tells us:
‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher.
‘Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.’
How ironic that Absalom was buried in a stone-covered pit, despite his enduring pillar, his plotting, and his efforts to go to war with his father to take over the kingdom and the thousands of soldiers who died in that war.
Let’s not hand over our lives to anger and war. Instead, let’s seek peace and pursue it, using all we have to serve the Lord and each other. Our lasting monument is to be in Christ. Christ is the beginning and the end. In Christ we remain. His love, his mercy and his grace are the heartland of eternity at work in us now.
They will remember us for a while – but then we will be gone from this place, and they will remember us no more. When we live and move and have all our being in Christ, we are not ‘meaningless’. The best legacy we can leave is to be the living, loving, serving, gracious presence of Christ.
Father God, thank you for gathering us up into Jesus. Let our serving in his name, as his living presence, be our eternal legacy. We ask this in his name. Amen.
Tim is a recently retired LCANZ pastor. He enjoys spending time with family, connecting with neighbours and gardening. This is the season of flowers: beautiful irises, anemones, proteas, leucodendrons and leucospermums – and roses! They all give witness to God’s glory and grace.
Conspiracy!
by Tim Klein
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… Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel (2 Samuel 15:5b,6).
Read 2 Samuel 15:1–16
A person once came to me and said they appreciated that I did not plot or connive for things – in other words, I played it straight. I was genuine. I received it as a compliment, for this person lived in a corporate world where ‘the game’ was played. That person’s world was about selectively placed influence and cultivated partnerships – saying the ‘right’ thing to the person who wanted to hear it. A far cry from Jesus’ ‘Let your yes be yes, and your no be no’ (Matthew 5:37a). Sadly, this also happens in the church.
In this story, Absalom has mastered the art of conspiracy and is gathering supporters against the king. Seemingly simple things, such as taking an interest in a person’s home location, taking a person’s hand warmly, giving a welcome kiss and promising assistance. Absolom painted himself as one who would do justice for those who perceived they had suffered injustice. He did this consistently over four years, cultivating favour.
Surely Absalom could not do this without his father knowing what was happening – even allowing it to continue. This shows David’s tolerance and love for his son. Perhaps he believed – even hoped – that Absalom had honourable intentions. However, we learn this is not the case as the story of conspiracy and betrayal unfolds.
Perhaps you have been in David’s position. What would you do? How would you act? Would you give such people the benefit of the doubt? Would you be prepared to continue loving them, forgiving them and caring for them?
We have every reason to thank the Lord for continuing to love and care for us despite our conspiracies of sin: when lip service belies our true feelings, when a smile disguises anger, and lies or even silence betray his truth.
Father God, we are so thankful that you continue to love us despite our consistent betrayal of you. Please renew and restore us to true and constant faith in you. Amen.
Tim is a recently retired LCANZ pastor. He enjoys spending time with family, connecting with neighbours and gardening. This is the season of flowers: beautiful irises, anemones, proteas, leucodendrons and leucospermums – and roses! They all give witness to God’s glory and grace.
God knows what’s inside us
by Tim Klein
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom (2 Samuel 14:25a).
Read 2 Samuel 14:25–33
Here’s a song that had some sort of resonance with my younger self – or perhaps not, maybe?
Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble
When you’re perfect in every way
I can’t wait to look in the mirror
I get better looking each day
Did you read about Absalom’s hair? Lustrous, luxurious locks. He cut it once a year, weighed it and valued it greatly. He was the golden boy of the kingdom with visions of the throne in mind. ‘From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him’ (verse 25b).
I suspect when we look in the mirror, we are hoping to see something like that – rather than our lost and wrinkled dreams.
The blemish we can’t see is the mess inside – sin’s blemish, and it can’t be hidden. It will emerge.
Under the physical beauty, Absalom seethed against his half-brother, who had raped his sister, ultimately having him killed. Absalom’s rage against his father, David, led him to plot David’s downfall so that he could seize the Kingdom of Israel. (More to come in the following devotions.)
While at war with David, Absalom suffered a tragic death. Ironically, it was his beautiful hair that tangled in the branches of a tree, suspending him where he died at the hands of Joab, a general of David’s army.
Despite all that Absalom had done, David mourned his death. He was heartbroken for the son who tried to kill him and steal his throne. You can read more of Absalom’s story in chapters 13 to 18 of 2 Samuel.
How amazing that David could still love this son of his, whose anger had led him to war against his father. Finally, it was Solomon (Jedidiah), another of David’s sons, who became king of Israel.
We are children of the King – our King Jesus! Give thanks that he looks beneath our surface, recognises the blemishes of sin in our lives and still loves us.
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good – his love is everlasting.
Father God, we are humbled by your love. Thank you for your mercy and grace that forgives sin’s stain in our lives and keeps us in your kingdom. Amen.
Tim is a recently retired LCANZ pastor. He enjoys spending time with family, connecting with neighbours and gardening. This is the season of flowers: beautiful irises, anemones, proteas, leucodendrons and leucospermums – and roses! They all give witness to God’s glory and grace.