by Pastor Peter Bean
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What to make of these verses? Not the most wonderful reading in the Bible. It started off well with hospitality shown by Lot. But it quickly degenerated into all sorts of terrible things: sexual immorality, betrayal of family, disbelief, tardiness, warnings ignored, ingratitude. And, as we read on, there is more.
What do we do with all of this? Of course, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and become judgemental of actions and inactions, groups and individuals. And don’t we do that? Sorry, I’ll let you answer that for yourself. For myself, yes, I do jump to conclusions. I do make judgements. I do look down on people. Lord, have mercy.
And the Lord does. Even when we think we have more time to prepare. Even when we joke about what God might do. Even when we are inhospitable. Even when we condemn!
I guess, here, in these verses, we have a good description of human nature. Thoughts and actions are described that can lead us away from God. Even when God is present – in our face, if you like – even when God is clear, and we can hear the voice of the Spirit guiding us. (Did you know that, in the Hebrew Scriptures, to hear is the same as to obey?)
But we also have a good description of God’s nature: to be merciful, to restore those who lack trust or think they can make it on their own. Can each of us examine our lives? Look for those times when you didn’t trust God’s promises and thought you could make it alone. Look for those times when God’s mercy re-appeared: in a word of forgiveness, in a restoration of relationships, in a comforting hug, in the quiet breath of the Spirit breathing new life into you.
And give thanks for the Lord’s mercy.
Lord God, Heavenly Dad, gracious Saviour, life-giving Spirit, thank you for your mercy, shown to me in so many ways. Thank you. Amen.
In early October, Peter enjoyed a family camp with his children and grandchildren at Lake Bonney, South Australia. Then, he returned to weeding, planting, riding, reading and relaxing.
Unfailing love
by Jim Strelan
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My unfailing love for you will not be shaken (Isaiah 54:10b).
Read Isaiah 54:10–17
How much can you love someone? We sometimes hear parents say to their children, ‘I love you to the moon and back.’ I’ve always thought that an astronaut who has travelled to the moon could say that to their child with more meaning than anyone else. In other words, ‘The love I have for you is immeasurable.’
When God says he loves his people, it is irrefutable. It is not dependent on anything. We know the history of the people of Israel in biblical times: turning away, coming back, turning away, coming back. But God loves with an unfailing love.
Earlier, in Isaiah 49, we have these words: ‘Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?’ Hard as it is to imagine, that is possible. Children have been abandoned by their mothers. But God says, ‘Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands’ (Isaiah 49:15,16). Etched in. Irremovable. Permanent. Unfailing.
Not only does God promise to love his people unfailingly, but he also shows this by showering his people with gifts, signs of his love. A rebuilt city with stones of turquoise, foundations with sapphires, battlements of rubies and gates of sparkling jewels (verses 11 and 12).
This almost reminds me of the Prodigal Son story in Luke 15, where the returning son, who comes back with his tail between his legs, ashamed of how completely he had rejected all his father had to offer, is received by that father with the best robe and a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. That’s the way God loves.
Sometimes events in your life might leave you feeling as though the mountains have shaken and the hills have subsided. Sometimes you might feel alone, and the weight of what burdens you is yours alone to carry. Sometimes you might feel that you give and give and get very little back. Hear God’s promise to his people – that same God makes that promise to you. His love for you is unfailing. Whatever has happened, whatever your situation. Always. You can count on it.
What can I say, my God, when I contemplate your kind of loving? Nothing but thank you. I am overwhelmed and forever grateful. Thank you. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor living with his wife Ruth in Deception Bay, Queensland. He spends his retirement making space to add more Lions’ premiership posters to the six (3+3) he already has on his garage wall.
Live ready
by Jim Strelan
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The virgins who were ready went in with him … (Matthew 25:10b).
Read Matthew 25:1–13
Over the years, someone or another has proclaimed certainty about the day Christ will return. And faithful followers have sold their possessions (no need for them) and gathered on a hilltop, singing hymns and praying as they waited. They wanted to be ready.
Is that what being ready means? The bridesmaids in this parable wanted to be ready, and some prepared themselves, while others didn’t. They knew the bridegroom was coming, but they didn’t know exactly when. When he did come – at a most unexpected time, midnight – they were surprised. Some had their lamps lit and brought extra oil. Some didn’t. Some ready, some not.
In the following verses of Matthew 25, we first have the parable of the man who entrusts his property to his servants. When he returns, he wants to know what they did with what they were given. And then we have the account of the final judgement when some are directed to the right and some to the left. And the criteria? How did you respond to the one in need: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the one short of clothes, the sick, the prisoner? Those who responded with love and care weren’t aware that, by doing so, they were serving Jesus. They just did it. It was their lifestyle and pattern of behaving.
A line attributed to Martin Luther (although the attribution is unproven) goes something like this: ‘Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.’ In other words, he would go about his day-to-day activities because he knew that he and the world were in God’s hands.
So maybe being ready means ‘living ready’. Not like those gathered on the hilltop with particular actions on a particular day, but living ready, trusting in God’s ongoing goodness. Wisely using the gifts given to us. Meeting the needs of those around us as best we can because that’s just what God’s people do. Living ready.
Lord, help me live each day so that, no matter when you return, I am ready, trusting in your goodness, aware of your presence, focused outward rather than inward. And so, I pray with great calmness: come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor living with his wife Ruth in Deception Bay, Queensland. He spends his retirement making space to add more Lions’ premiership posters to the six (3+3) he already has on his garage wall.
God’s timely aid
by Faye Schmidt
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But as for me, I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay (Psalm 70:5).
Read Psalm 70
Psalm 70 is one of those psalms that express longing for God to act. It’s an urgent prayer for help. It expresses a feeling of being short on time and long on need. In a few short words, it describes a plethora of feelings.
There are many moments in every Christian’s life when this psalm sums up our deepest need. We want God to act, and we want it now! Yet we are asked to wait. We feel the need to be vindicated. We want those who have hurt us to be exposed and justice done. In those moments, Psalm 70 provides a scriptural basis for lament, airing our grievances, asking for help and acknowledging that life isn’t always warm and fuzzy.
However, there are moments when our days are easy. We may hear Psalm 70 but not really feel connected to it in our daily routine. We may be more interested in ‘What’s for lunch?’ or the news of the day. Our days may simply not have room for lament.
Yet it is perhaps on those days we might benefit most from hearing Psalm 70. After all, the psalmist’s urgent cry (‘O Lord, make haste to help me!’) is someone’s cry, if not our own. The psalm can serve as a powerful reminder that even when our lives are rolling along as usual, that is not necessarily the case for everyone. Others might be hurting, calling out for help or awaiting deliverance. Others might be crying out but hearing no response.
This psalm calls us to stop and listen. Who around us is living in this psalm’s reality? Who is desperate for help but waiting for God to intervene? Who might be crying, even though there are no visible tears? Who needs our love and reassurance while they wait upon the Lord?
Dear God, our creator and sustainer, help us to turn away from our self-reliance and instead rely on you for everything we need each day. Remind us especially of our need for your forgiveness and grace, and help us to be thankful that you offer this freely in the death and resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations in Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.