by Jonathan Krause
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Read Acts 27:9–26
I am no sailor.
I once got seasick on a houseboat on a lake while we were still attached to the wharf.
And I’ve never been on a cruise. Not only am I scared of going cabin-crazy from being confined, but I worry I will eat too much, exercise too little, and come home twice the man I was when I set sail.
So, I don’t know how I would go on a boat in a storm.
And if some smart fella stood up and told me to have courage, as Paul did in the Bible reading, I’m not sure I’d want to listen. Especially when he said in the next breath that we were going to be shipwrecked even if we did exactly as commanded!
What is courage anyway?
I’m not sure that it means you’re not scared. Your greatest courage is when you are scared – but you carry on anyway. (Those of us blessed to be Collingwood supporters know that feeling well – we are always scared we’ll lose, especially when it comes to finals, but we have the courage to keep hanging in there anyway!)
I don’t know what your life is like right now.
Maybe the cost-of-living crisis or high mortgage interest rates are causing you stress. Perhaps you’re worried about a loved one or have lost someone dear to you. Maybe the black dog of depression is barking at your ankles, or the chill of loneliness is wrapping icy fingers around your heart.
We shouldn’t be surprised. The storms will come. We may even run aground and suffer in ways that feel unfair or overwhelming.
That’s when we need the courage to hold on to our faith. Maybe it’s by our fingernails. Perhaps we feel too weary and worn to hold on a moment longer. That’s when we lift our eyes to Jesus, focus only on him, and – rather than holding on – let ourselves be held.
That takes true courage. I pray that for you.
Lord, you know me. You understand the life I lead, the challenges that confront me, the joys that delight. I know no life goes by without storms. Give me the courage to hold on to you. Amen.
Jonathan lives south of Adelaide with his wife Julie. Blessed by children and grandchildren, Jonathan enjoys reading and writing, walking by the beach and watching Collingwood win. Author of many devotion books, Jonathan is the Community Action Manager for the Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).
Our God searches for lost sheep
by Glenn Crouch
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In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish (Matthew 18:14).
Read Matthew 18:10–14
Do you recall what God did after our parents ate the fruit way back in Genesis? God came down, walked in the garden and asked, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:8,9). They deserved death (Genesis 2:16,17), but rather than obliterating them and starting over, God searched for them. God called out to them. Sadly, our first parents didn’t turn to God; rather, they gave excuses. So, God listened patiently, explained the consequences and then he clothed them before removing them from the garden.
Our God does not sit on his heavenly throne, waiting for us sinners to come to our senses. He is not waiting for us to earn his forgiveness. No, he comes down and enters into our messiness. He comes searching for us. This is the good news of the incarnation – God becomes one of us. The amazing love of our God is seen in how far he goes so that we don’t perish (verse 14).
We all know family and friends, many of whom have been baptised, who have had a church upbringing, but who now seem far away. I encourage you to continue praying for them. Be assured that not only does our God hear us, but he is the God who searches for the lost. He will do mighty things to prevent even one of us from perishing.
Oh Father, thank you that you are indeed a God who searches. Thank you for finding me, and keep finding me when I go astray. Lord, I lift before you those who are dear to me and ask you to break through. Please find them and bring them to the cross of your dear Son. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Bad shepherds do not escape justice
by Glenn Crouch
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For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them (Ezekiel 34:11).
Read Ezekiel 34:1–16
Have you ever been in a situation where your church has let you down? Perhaps a Christian leader or mentor has failed you. Christian leaders are supposed to be shepherds who follow the example of the Good Shepherd, but what happens when they are wolves? Where is God when that happens?
In our passage today, we see God’s response to the religious and political leaders’ failure as shepherds of his people. In verse 2, they are condemned for putting themselves first. They eat and dress well (verse 3), but they do not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick (verse 4). They think they have gotten away with their mistreatment of the Lord’s people, but he sees all, and his justice will come (verse 10)!
And the really good news? God himself will get his feet dirty and search for his people, and he will look after them (verse 11). He will rescue them (verse 12) and gather them from different countries (verse 13). Oh, how good it is for God’s people to have the Lord God as their Shepherd (verses 14 to 16).
Do you also see how our Lord Jesus fulfils this prophecy? He is indeed our Good Shepherd. Put your trust in him.
You can also be assured that the promise of justice in verse 16 still applies.
For those of us in leadership, we need to heed the warning given in this passage and protect and serve his people.
Gracious Father, heal the hurt that is within me. Open my eyes to where I have hurt others, forgive me and help me make amends. Lead me to the rest that you offer, through your dear Son. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.
Jesus is the way to salvation
by Glenn Crouch
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I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved (John 10:9a).
Read John 10:1–10
This week, we will take a journey through Scripture to explore the theme of shepherds. Given that today is celebrated as Good Shepherd Sunday, where better to begin than the Good Shepherd himself, our Lord Jesus.
When I lived in Kalgoorlie, there was really only one way to drive to Perth. You would hop onto the Great Eastern Highway and head west. Now that I live in Esperance, there are multiple ways (once you get past Ravensthorpe) to get to Perth – check Google Maps. Sometimes the choice made is one of preference; at other times, my wife and I want to see our grandson as quickly as possible, so every minute saved matters!
This is not how salvation works. We don’t open an app and choose the fastest or most scenic route. Jesus is not standing there, waving his arms and crying out, ‘Pick me! Pick me!’ There is only one gate, and that is Jesus. All other ways are used by thieves and robbers (verse 8).
Jesus says, ‘I am the gate’, not just in this verse but also in verse 7, with the double Amen (translated as ‘very truly’). Jesus is quite serious here. How do we get peace with God? Through Jesus. There is no other way. Keep following the Good Shepherd. Keep pointing others to his cross.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for how easily I become distracted and take my eyes off your dear Son. Through your Holy Spirit, make me an obedient sheep who delights in following the Good Shepherd. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying when they can get to Perth to spend time with their first grandchild.