Standing Before God 17th Day in Lent (Monday) Read: Romans 5:1-11 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” Romans 5:1-2a (NIV) ‘Grace is the basis for our standing before God’. What does it mean to ‘stand before a King’? I enjoy reading the historical fiction books by Philippa Gregory. It is obvious in these books that there was a hierarchy in society in the Middle Ages. There was the upper class consisting of the kings/monarchs, nobles, knights, and clergy. Then the middle class tended to be the merchants, doctors, and those with important jobs; and then there was the lower class – the peasants and serfs who performed all the menial tasks and jobs. Firstly, to see the king you had to get through all the secretaries and make an appointment – only if you had an important issue. If it wasn’t important or considered necessary or beneficial to the kingship, there would be no way to stand in the king’s presence. Through the saving action of God in His Son Jesus Christ, God has allowed us to come directly into His presence and talk to Him freely. Back in the Old Testament times, the common people had to talk to God through the priests and offer sacrifices to make themselves worthy. Now we are reconciled with God. Reconciliation is talked about quite freely in society and between cultures and nations, but the essence of reconciliation is to bring people together with differences or conflicts and help them understand each other. Being reconciled with God means that He has come to us directly and made us clean through the act of Jesus on the cross. He opened Himself up for us to understand more of the nature of God. So, we can stand in His presence – the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We don’t have to ask for an audience from a priest or secretary. Through the grace of God, we can stand in His presence and ask Him for whatever is on our minds. We can understand and accept the grace and love that He offers us every day. Jesus’ act of suffering allowed us to stand before God. Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you for your reconciling love and act of grace toward me. Being able to stand in your presence is humbling, helps me always to be appreciative. Amen. 2
Seeking the Lord first
by Maria Rudolph
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
He [David] said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent’ (2 Samuel 7:2).
Read 2 Samuel 7:1–17
The reason David was such a great king of Israel and Judah was that he put God first. We all know that David also had some significant slip-ups, for which he would suffer the consequences.
However, today, we see a prime example of what makes David a great role model: David considers his future in consultation with the Lord. Instead of rushing on ahead and doing what he thinks is best, his first move is to bring his ideas before God. And Nathan the prophet confirms God’s green light: ‘Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you’ (2 Samuel 7:3).
This stands in stark contrast to King Saul, who grieved God by rushing ahead according to what he thought was best (1 Samuel 15:1–31). In the end, Saul paid a high price for ignoring God: it cost him his kingship and, eventually, his life.
We are not dissimilar to King David in that we strive to follow God, and we have some significant slip-ups at times, too. Let us be encouraged today by David’s conduct in seeking God first. This requires some patient waiting on our part, usually exactly when all we want to do is rush ahead and ‘get on with it’. Be intentional like David in presenting your plans to God or God’s people; be ready to listen to what God has to say. God will guide you well.
Guide me, O my great Redeemer. Be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Not my will, but your will be done. Let me follow your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
Jesus comes looking for you
by Maria Rudolph
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10).
Read Luke 19:1–10
A very particular song is playing in my head every time I read the story of Zacchaeus. Maybe it’s the same for you! Children’s Bible storybooks usually include the story of the short tax collector from Jericho who scrambles to see Jesus by climbing up a sycamore fig tree.
I’ve always thought of Zacchaeus putting in effort to be with Jesus. And he probably did. But do we realise that Jesus is actually the one seeking out Zacchaeus in this story? Jesus declares in conclusion of this story that he ‘came to seek and save what was lost’.
Zacchaeus was lost – a despised tax collector who had cheated people over the years – and called a ‘sinner’ by the muttering crowd. It must have left him in despair, because he was drawn to Jesus, so much so that he ran ahead of everyone else so he could find a spot to see him. He wanted to be free of his worries. Perhaps he had gotten word that Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33), ‘Seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ Zacchaeus was seeking God’s kingdom: Jesus.
But the amazing thing about Jesus is that while we are out looking for him, for an encounter with God, for spiritual enlightenment, or for some way to fill the inexplicable void inside of us, Jesus is already seeking us out! Jesus not only saves the lost, but he also seeks them first.
Jesus takes the first step and invites himself over for dinner before Zacchaeus can say anything to Jesus at all. ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last’ (John 15:16). Jesus seeking out Zacchaeus gives him a generous heart of compassion; it brings him salvation. (Luke 19:9). Jesus comes looking for you, too, bringing salvation. All you need to do is receive.
Loving God, we give thanks with a grateful heart. We give thanks for Jesus Christ. The weak can say ‘I am strong’, the poor can say ‘I am rich’, and the blind can say ‘I can see’ because of what you have done for us in Jesus. Thank you for looking for us and for finding us. Give us a receptive heart so that we can keep on coming to you, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Again and again
by Shane Altmann
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear (Isaiah 25:6).
Read Isaiah 25:6–9
I’m a teacher – and a talker. I’m a dominator of conversations: big voice, bad listener, always ready with a story or to over-explain something. Repeatedly.
One day, when presenting an earth-shattering truth on football, Honda cubs, the Penrith Panthers or something else for about the third time to my daughter, she cried out, ‘Dad, I got it the first time!’
‘Oh, okay. Well, why didn’t you say something?’ Eye roll.
It struck me then that I am also someone who needs feedback. ‘You have to slide the feeler gauge in until there is just a bit of friction, not too much – you don’t want it to be loose – but it also shouldn’t be hard to move.’ I offer. If I get silence, I go again. ‘Just a little bit of friction; it shouldn’t wobble …’
I need a response. ‘Oh, right, so just move it until you feel something, but not too much.’
And I’m a success – another amazing moment from the Altmannator.
Have you ever noticed that the psalms repeat themselves? That same idea, coupled again, slightly different, but repeated.
In today’s reading, God is going to make a rich feast, food filled with marrow, well-aged wines, wines strained clear. He is going to destroy the shroud that is cast, the covering that is spread. Have a look at it, read it through and notice the repetition. Then, go to your favourite psalm and look for the pattern. It is not universal, but it’s a thing.
I love that subtlety in Hebrew poetry. It’s a bit like ‘mansplaining’ but cooler.
It’s God-splaining.
Our Good Teacher, the Good Shepherd, the Lord of the Dance, the Master of the Feast, our Great Giving God of Love, he whose name is Love, reminding us again and again that he is for us, that he wants only good things for us, that he has saved us and called us by name.
And he loves it when we respond.
Lord of the Harvest, giver of our joy, thank you for preparing a table for us. Thank you for being the source of all that is good and wholesome in our lives. We remember today the faithful saints who have gone before us, and together, as your eternal church, your bride, we praise your holy name. Hallelujah! Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.