Dear Fellow Children of God,
What a year! Do
you even remember that we began 2020 with impeachment hearings? The arrival of coronavirus in March shocked
our nation and the world to a stop! We have seen “Black Lives Matter”
demonstrations, watched the take-over of an area in downtown Seattle, observed
conflict over a Supreme Court Nomination, and we are still in the middle of an
ugly election cycle. Yet, in the middle
of all these confusing and troubling events, the big story continues to be
COVID-19. People around the world had hoped
that the upheaval caused by this virus might pass in a couple of weeks, or
months. But, the infections and
interruption of our lives from the coronavirus continue and even seem to be
growing. And the confusion about what
the virus is and how to confront this pandemic causes different opinions and even
disagreements between friends, within families, and even in our Lord’s churches. What a
year!
My devotions for Wednesday, October 28, focused on
Hebrews 4, and spoke loudly to me about the turmoil we are facing. Would you personally like an end to the chaos
we are experiencing? Do you desire rest
from these troubles? Listen to these
words of God.
“9 So then, there remains a Sabbath
rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest
has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us
therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort
of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active,
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of
spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of
the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are
naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:9-13)
The church which
received the letter to the Hebrews was experiencing persecution, confusion, and
a tendency toward abandoning their faith.
In the midst of this turmoil the writer who was inspired to write this
book assures these children of God, “there
remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God,”
Yes there is relief! For
those who seek the rest and peace offered by God, the writer points them first
to God’s Word. In the midst of the uncertainty
caused by the trials of life, God’s word speaks truth which cuts through the
confusion and gets to the heart of the matter.
The heart of the matter is that we are all sinners. We should not be surprised when the world
turns crazy. We all need help.
In fact, this chapter
ultimately points to the deeper truth and deeper help which God offers weak people
wearied by the sin which is in our lives and in our world. 14 Since then we have a great high
priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold
fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is
unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been
tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we
may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
For people in the time of the book to the Hebrews, and
for people today, we have someone who speaks to God for us. We have a “great high priest . . . Jesus the Son of God.” For weak people who are wavering in their
hope and in their commitment, we are called to “hold fast to our confession” because Jesus has done what we could
not do. He has faced every temptation,
every attack, and Jesus has overcome them with His obedient, righteous, and
loving life. Jesus is the one “who in every respect has been tempted as
we are, yet without sin!” And, in grace, Jesus offers us the rest and
peace of His victory through faith in Him.
God calls us in times of chaos, not to our own efforts,
which always fall short. God calls us to
the truth of His Word, and to His gracious victory in Jesus. 16 Let us then with confidence draw
near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help
in time of need. The righteousness and grace of Jesus are exactly
what we need today.
As we face the natural
disaster of this pandemic, as we face the political unrest of our time, as we
face disruptions and losses in our lives, God calls us not to fall away from
our confession and faith. God calls us
to His divine help and rest found in Jesus.
This Scripture written to God’s troubled and weary people surely calls
us to re-commit to reading God’s Word, to prayer, and to regular worship. SO. . . What
efforts are you making to “draw near to the throne of grace?” How are you turning to Jesus for help and
rest?
A Child of God, Overwhelmed by the Turmoil of our World,
Finding Confidence from God’s Grace in Jesus,
Pastor Jonathan
P.S. Daylight
Savings Time happens this weekend. Clocks “fall” back 1 hour.
P.P.S. Sunday
evening, October 25, I participated in the installation of Pastor Andrew
Carlson as Senior Pastor at Zion Lutheran, Fairbanks. Here are some pictures. https://photos.app.goo.gl/q3ogXKXLoYBnwn2a9
P.P.P.S. I see
from my weather forecast that temperatures are now below freezing and not
forecast to rise above that mark in the next week. But, many, like myself, enjoy winter. The beauty of God is evident in our
land! In fact, I have a friend in
Chickaloon, Fred Deusing, who regularly takes pictures of God’s hand around
us. Here are pictures he took and sent
on October 28. (Fred and I went hiking
together a couple of weeks ago.) https://photos.app.goo.gl/KtRN86MoDTrTYkJQ8
P.P.P.P.S. Fishing? This Friday I hope to Fish in Homer in the
morning, before an evening celebration of the 50th anniversary of
Faith Lutheran Church in Homer.
*****
ABOUT THIS DEVOTION - I am now
retired from serving as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer,
AK. My weekly devotion was previously titled, "Thoughts from the
Pastor." However, with life's changes I now call the devotion
"Journeys Through Life as a Child of God." I am only sending
this message to those who have asked to receive it. If you know someone
else who desires to receive this message, have them e-mail me at
jonrock53@mtaonline.net. I will include them on my distribution list. You
can also view this message on my Facebook page.
HOWEVER, A NUMBER
OF PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME WHY THEY ARE NO LONGER RECEIVING MY DEVOTIONS. Since I’m only sending these e-mails to
people who ask for them, many are no longer receiving these messages. BUT, if you read this on Facebook and like to
receive these devotions by e-mail, or if you know someone who would like to
receive these devotions, send me an e-mail at jonrock53@mtaonline.net, and I will add
you to my distribution list.
Child of God
Husband, Father, Son, Grandfather
Pastor Emeritus, St. John Lutheran Church
907-841-4066 – cell
907-746-5131 – home
E-Mail: jonrock53@mtaonline.net
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