Lifting Up the Serpent - Part 3
Numbers 21:7
05/08/2024
7 And the people came to Moses and said, ``We have
sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and
against you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away
the serpents from us.'' So Moses prayed for the
people. (ESV)
Discipline and punishment may look the same to the one being
trained. Were the serpents sent by God a punishment as the
children of Israel grumbled against Him, or were they a call to
trust in Him at all times? In the liturgy for God's help in time
of a local or national tragedy, the readings are as much a call
for repentance as they are for God to ease the burden of all
people.
It is fitting, as we know that we have sinned against God
and neighbor, that times of personal and national distress are
also a call to trust in God rather than our own abilities.
And the people came to Moses and said, ``We have
sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against
you. Pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents
from us.'' So Moses prayed for the people.
If the serpents were a punishment, then God's actions had
the desired result, show the people their sin. If the serpents
were a form of discipline, a form of teaching, they also had the
proper effect, trust in God and His goodness rather than trusting
our own desires. Look to the blessings God gives, knowing that
He willingly gives us that which we need to sustain this body and
life.
No matter if the serpents were punishment or discipline, the
result was the people calling on God, praying for forgiveness and
His almighty help in time of need.
May our Lord give to us the eyes of faith to trust in Him,
to call upon Him in the day of trouble, and to believe that He
desires to give us His eternal love and grace. Amen.Author: admin
Lifting Up the Serpent — Part 2: May 7, 2024
Lifting Up the Serpent - Part 2
Numbers 21:6
05/07/2024
6 Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the
people, and they bit the people, so that many
people of Israel died. (ESV)
The children of Israel were tired of their nomadic life in
the wilderness. When their travels took them once again away
from the land once promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they
began to grumble and complain about God and Moses. ``Then the
LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the
people, so that many people of Israel died.''
How does God call us to account for our sins? In this case,
the children of Israel saw a direct link between their discontent
and the venomous snakes. More often, however, the call to
repentance is not as readily apparent. Yes, when tragedy
strikes, we are swift to call upon the name of the Lord, to
implore the help and mercy of the almighty God. But even in
normal times, the law accuses us of sin.
Throughout the Bible we learn that we are to love the Lord
our God above all things, and our neighbors as ourselves. This
was written by Moses, and spoken again by Jesus, Himself. Yet we
turn our back on God, and we ignore the needs of our neighbors as
we focus on our own selfish desires.
That wake up call to repent may come in the form of a
personal tragedy, or through the proclamation of God's Word. No
matter, we confess that we deserve God's temporal and eternal
punishment, for we have sinned against God and neighbor by our
thoughts, words, and deeds. Jesus, in talking with Nicodemus as
recorded in the third chapter of John's Gospel, compares the
salvation of the world to the forgiveness offered to the children
of Israel as they endured the serpents. May our hearts ever be
turned to the love of God, that we repent of our sin and receive
the gift of forgiveness. Amen.Lifting Up the Serpent — Part 1: May 6, 2024
Lifting Up the Serpent - Part 1
Numbers 21:4-5
05/06/2024
4 From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red
Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people
became impatient on the way.
5 And the people spoke against God and against
Moses, ``Why have you brought us up out of Egypt
to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and
no water, and we loathe this worthless food.''
(ESV)
The story of the Exodus, of the children of Israel leaving
Egypt and wandering in the wilderness for forty years, is the
story of sin, repentance, restoration and service. Time and
again, they grumbled against God, received the punishment due for
their unbelief, repented, and returned to trusting in God to
sustain and deliver them.
Near the end of their forty year trek, when the children of
Israel turned once again from the promised land towards the
wilderness, they began to grumble against God and Moses. They
were tired of the miraculous manna which God provided, and
desired something different.
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea,
to go around the land of Edom. And the people became
impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God
and against Moses, ``Why have you brought us up out of
Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food
and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.''
God eventually disciplined the children of Israel for their
unbelief and their unfaithfulness. More importantly, this event
during the wilderness years pointed directly to the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ for the sins of all people. This week we will look
at the sin, discipline, and forgiveness given by God even to
those who lack trust in His promises.
May our Lord grant you the peace of knowing His love. Amen.O Sing Unto the Lord — Part 5: May 03, 2024
O Sing Unto the Lord - Part 5
Isaiah 12:1-6
05/03/2024
1 You will say in that day: ``I will give thanks to
you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and
will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my
strength and my song, and he has become my
salvation.''
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of
salvation.
4 And you will say in that day: ``Give thanks to the
LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds
among the peoples, proclaim that his name is
exalted.
5 Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done
gloriously; let this be made known in all the
earth.
6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for
great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.''
(ESV)
The Psalmist wrote: ``O sing to the LORD a new song, for He
has done marvelous things.'' This week we have looked the joy
expressed by the prophet Isaiah as he called for the faithful of
God to rejoice in His love.
You will say in that day: ``I will give thanks to you,
O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger
turned away, that you might comfort me. Behold, God is
my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for
the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has
become my salvation.''
With joy you will draw water from the wells of
salvation. And you will say in that day: ``Give thanks
to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds
among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and
sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your
midst is the Holy One of Israel.''
Please join us at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning
to learn more of God's rich love, grace, and mercy as found in
Jesus Christ. Amen.O Sing Unto the Lord — Part 4: May 02, 2024
O Sing Unto the Lord - Part 4
Isaiah 12:5-6
05/02/2024
5 ``Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done
gloriously; let this be made known in all the
earth.
6 Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for
great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.''
(ESV)
The Psalmist wrote: ``O sing to the LORD a new song, for He
has done marvelous things.'' This past Sunday we used this
ancient song as we entered into God's presence at His invitation
to receive the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. In his
first song of praise, Isaiah wrote of the songs which the
faithful children of God sing in response to His mercy.
``Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;
let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and
sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your
midst is the Holy One of Israel.''
Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven, His followers have
gone into all the world to proclaim the goodness and love of God.
By the end of the first century, the Gospel had spread through
the known world. Christians could not help but bring the good
news of salvation by grace through faith for the sake of Christ
to those oppressed by sin.
The need to tell of God's love, of our salvation from sin
and death for the sake of Jesus, is every bit as great today. As
the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh attack the goodness of
God, we bring to you the good news that Jesus has defeated death.
In Him you have the forgiveness of sins.
The ``Holy One of Israel,'' the Triune God, is not some
abstract thought who sits on a throne somewhere, ignoring His
creation. He is here with us in every joy and sorrow, in His
Word and Sacraments.
May you come to know the reason that Isaiah rejoiced in the
love of God, and knowing of that love, find the peace which
passes all understanding. Amen.O Sing Unto the Lord — Part 3: May 01, 2024
O Sing Unto the Lord - Part 3
Isaiah 12:3-4
05/01/2024
3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of
salvation.
4 And you will say in that day: ``Give thanks to the
LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds
among the peoples, proclaim that his name is
exalted.'' (ESV)
This last Sunday, which is known as ``Cantate Sunday,'' was
named for the first verse of Psalm 98, which we used to enter
into God's presence at His invitation. ``O sing to the LORD a
new song, for He has done marvelous things.'' The prophet Isaiah
told us of the reason for this song, the marvelous things the
LORD has done for His people.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of
salvation. And you will say in that day: ``Give thanks
to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds
among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.''
Directly after the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea,
God provided them fresh water in the wilderness. Later, as
recorded by Saint John, Jesus offers us the water of life.
Christians daily remember their baptism, where the Holy Spirit
joined us to Jesus' death and resurrection through the water of
baptism.
As ones redeemed from sin and condemnation by the life,
death, and resurrection of Jesus, we respond by joyfully sharing
the news of God's love to others. Knowing the free gift of
salvation, we tell of His grace and mercy.
What a comfort to know that our redemption from sin and
death does not depend on our own efforts, but is offered to us
because of God's love. What a comfort to know that the God who
created all things loves each of us so much as to send His Son to
take our punishment and give us His holiness.
May our Lord continue to give us this reason to sing, that
He is our salvation, that He is our hope and our comfort. Amen.O Sing Unto the Lord — Part 2: April 30, 2024
O Sing Unto the Lord - Part 2
Isaiah 12:2
04/30/2024
2 ``Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and
will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my
strength and my song, and he has become my
salvation.'' (ESV)
This last Sunday, which is known as ``Cantate Sunday,'' was
named for the first verse of Psalm 98, which we used to enter
into God's presence at His invitation. ``O sing to the LORD a
new song, for He has done marvelous things.'' The prophet Isaiah
told us of the reason for this song, the marvelous things the
LORD has done for His people.
``Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will
not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my
song, and he has become my salvation.''
Certainly for the children of Israel, part of the salvation
in which they would rejoice is the restoration of Jerusalem and
the Temple. After seventy years, they returned from Babylon and
rebuilt their homeland.
For the Christina, we rejoice in Jesus, whose name means
``God is my salvation.'' What greater song can we sing than of
the grace of God, than of the love of Jesus Christ who willingly
took upon Himself our sin? He indeed is our strength against the
assaults of the devil, the world, and our own sinful flesh. We
believe, teach, and confess that our redemption from sin and
death is a gift from God, freely given to us for the sake of the
bitter suffering and death of Jesus Christ. In this Easter
season, we rejoice and sing God's praise that Jesus burst forth
from the tomb, thus assuring us that we, too, shall rise again.
There is no better reason to sing, to give glory to God, that by
His undeserved love we are given the hope of the resurrection and
everlasting life.
May our Lord bless you with the comfort which comes from
knowing His love as found in Christ Jesus. Amen.O Sing Unto the Lord — Part 1: April 29, 2024
O Sing Unto the Lord - Part 1
Isaiah 12:1
04/29/2024
1 You will say in that day: I will give thanks to
you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away, that you might comfort me.
(ESV)
The Sundays following Easter are named for the first word of
the Introit, the Psalm sung by the faithful entering the church.
Last Sunday was named ``Cantate,'' ``Sing,'' from Psalm 98. ``O
sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things.''
What is this song of the faithful, the song of praise and
thanksgiving? What are the marvelous things accomplished by the
LORD our God? For the answer to these questions, we turn to the
prophet Isaiah and his first song of praise.
You will say in that day: I will give thanks to you, O
LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger
turned away, that you might comfort me.
As you remember, Isaiah was the prophet who called the
children of Israel to repent, showing them their sins. He also
told them of God's wrath, of the seventy years they would spend
as exiles in Babylon. Yet, in spite of being torn from their
land, removed from Jerusalem, God would restore them to this land
of promise.
This song of praise also is fitting for those who have
sinned against God and neighbor, but have received the comfort of
the forgiveness of their sins. This ultimate comfort comes not
from possessing a particular plot of ground, but from receiving
the redemption from sin and death earned for us by the suffering,
death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We give thanks to the LORD for His anger has turned to
comfort. This week we will rejoice with Isaiah, and all of God's
redeemed people for the freedom given to us for the sake of the
Son of God.
May our Lord richly bless and keep you as you give Him
thanks for all His blessings. Amen.
The Incomparable Lord — Part 5: April 26, 2024
The Incomparable Lord - Part 5
Isaiah 40:30-31
04/26/2024
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young
men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their
strength; they shall mount up with wings like
eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they
shall walk and not faint. (ESV)
This week we have been looking at the power of God versus
the power of the world. ``To whom then will you compare me, that
I should be like him? says the Holy One.''
The prophet Isaiah was writing to bring comfort to those in
exile, to those who thought they had been forgotten by God. They
had grown weary and discouraged. Yet, Isaiah brought them hope.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men
shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with
wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
God our heavenly Father gives us tangible proof of His love,
grace, and mercy. By sending Jesus to bear our sin, to redeem us
from our transgressions as well as from the power of the devil
and even death, we now have hope. Although in life we will grow
weary, and we will sleep for a while, yet we have the sure and
certain hope of life everlasting because we have been forgiven.
That forgiveness is not because of our strength, for ``even
youths shall faint and grow weary.'' That forgiveness is a gift
given to us for the sake of Christ Jesus.
Join us at Trinity Lutheran Church on Sunday morning at 9:00
a.m. to hear more of God's rich grace, love, and mercy. May our
Lord continue to bless you. Amen.The Incomparable Lord — Part 4: April 25, 2024
The Incomparable Lord - Part 4
Isaiah 40:28-29
04/25/2024
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD
is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of
the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his
understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no
might he increases strength. (ESV)
In times of trouble we often wonder if God can and will
overcome the evil in this world. Through the prophet Isaiah, God
gives us this comfort: ``To whom then will you compare me, that I
should be like him? says the Holy One.''
What does our Lord promise through His holy prophet, Isaiah?
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is
the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the
earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his
understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the
faint, and to him who has no might he increases
strength.
The power that created all things with just His Word has the
power to uphold and save His people. His plans unfold in ways we
cannot imagine, for His ways are not our ways. You and I cannot
see how our immediate situation fits into the overall path of
history.
Frequently we hear people say, long after the fact, that the
problems and tribulations they experienced became the greatest
blessing. The fire that leads to new adventures because all the
worldly goods which tie someone to a specific place are gone.
The health diagnosis which focuses our attention on that which is
truly important rather than the day-to-day trivia which seems to
take all our time and energy. The changed situation which causes
us to truly cling to God's promise that He will never leave us
nor forsake us.
Isaiah was bringing hope to the exiled children of Israel.
Isaiah brings us hope. He points us to our loving heavenly
Father who is revealed to us by the life, death, and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. May our Lord strengthen us at all times to
trust in Him. Amen.