Jesus' Word that Sustains the Weary (Isaiah 50:4)

Today's Devotion from Pastor Merrill Saturday, March 21, 2020

[Jesus said,] “Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:4-5

I haven’t heard it said yet. I’m waiting. When an epidemic or disaster comes along some self-appointed prophet comes along and says, “This is God’s judgment upon ________.” For the AIDS epidemic, it was the gay community. For Hurricane Katrina it was the excesses of New Orleans street life. Never mind that there were others affected by the two events. Perhaps the reason nobody’s calling out a particular group for judgment is because the coronavirus is a worldwide pandemic.

Jesus heard it in His day, too. Luke 13 refers to an event that had taken place in Jesus’ time. A tower in Siloam had collapsed, killing 18 people. Some were thinking, “Those 18 people must have been great sinners.” Jesus said, no, they’re no worse than anybody else. “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”

That’s enough to stop you in your tracks. What Jesus is saying is, even though diseases and disasters aren’t a sign of God’s judgment on particular individuals or groups, they are cause for us all to take a look at ourselves. Diseases and disasters are in our fallen world because of sin. You and I are sinners in need of repentance. In particular, especially when things are going well, we do not pay as much attention to God as we should. We can become indifferent to His Word and what it has to say for our lives.

A pandemic or any time of trouble is a call to repentance. Repentance is God’s gift. It is the way back to God. We turn from our sin and our self-centered ways and return to God in faith through His Son Jesus Christ.

Martin Luther said the whole life of the Christian is one of repentance—daily dying to sin and rising with Jesus to new life through His forgiveness. Baptism pictures this nicely.

The coronavirus is not God’s punishment on any individual. The punishment for every person’s sin fell on Jesus when He was on the cross. Thanks to God’s gift of repentance and forgiveness through Jesus, there is no need for anyone to perish. In this time let us turn to Jesus in repentance and faith, and pray that many more in our world do the same.

Prayer: Merciful Father, we sometimes lose sight of You and how dependent we are on Your grace and protection. Forgive us for Jesus’ sake, and restore our faith in Your goodness and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus' Word that Sustains the Weary (Isaiah 50:4)

Today's Devotion from Pastor Merrill Friday, March 20, 2020

"And [Jesus] awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39 [ESV]

Sometimes, I have to admit, Jesus and I aren't on the same page.

I read this passage about Jesus calming the storm. I read how Jesus, with a word: "Peace! Be Still!" caused a violent wind to stop blowing and brought a great calm over the sea. And I think, "Boy, it sure would be nice, Jesus, if You would rebuke this COVID-19 virus and tell it to go away. You are Lord of creation. It would have to listen to You. You have the power to do it, and do it right now." That's what I'd like to see.

But I am not God. Who can look into the mind of God and discern why He allows a pandemic like this to come upon us? Sure, I can give textbook answers: sin, Adam's curse and all that. But when is enough enough, Lord? When are you going to call this off?

If you look at the text from Mark 4:35-41, you'll note that the wind and the sea listen to Jesus' words. Jesus' disciples did not! They hear Jesus rebuke the wind: "Peace! Be still!" They see the result. And they are afraid! "And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, 'Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" (Mark 4:41 [ESV]) They missed the message! "Peace! Be still!" was not only for the wind and the sea, but for their fearful hearts! And they missed it.

At any time during this pandemic, Jesus could rebuke the virus and it would go away. But now, at this time, every day, He speaks His Word to you and me who are His disciples. "Peace! Be still! You have peace because I am your Savior who loved you and gave Myself for you on the cross. You can be still because you know that I am God."

Jesus not only has power over all creation; He has mercy on us. Though we may not know the reason He allows this pandemic to continue, we can be certain of His love for us because of what He did for us at the cross. His death and resurrection not only give us peace with God and eternal life, but they allow us to live in hope, not fear. Don't miss His words for you: "Peace! Be still!"

Prayer: Lord Jesus, forgive us when we fail to listen to Your promises. When it seems like You are sleeping, remind us that You are still in the boat with us, and will not let us perish. Amen.

PASTOR'S DAILY DEVOTION

Jesus' Word that Sustains the Weary (Isaiah 50:4)

Today's Devotion from Pastor Merrill Thursday, March 19, 2020

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Matthew 6:26

Monday afternoon the word came that President Trump in a speech had recommended that Americans stay away from crowds having more than 10 people. "Great," I thought, "this is going to make it real difficult to do anything here at church." Sure enough, word came Tuesday morning from the Iowa Governor's office. A declaration of a Public Health Disaster Emergency. All gatherings of more than 10 people, including religious gatherings, were prohibited, at least through March 31.

So began a new detour on this strange journey you and I are on, and at this point we are unsure when it is going to end. This unfamiliar virus that so far has effected only a handful of Iowans has sure caused a lot of disruption in our lives.

Monday afternoon as I was discouraged from the rapidly changing social landscape, I looked out he glass doors of the church lobby and saw a robin hopping around, looking for worms, or maybe just out for a stroll. I thought, "That robin has no concern about coronavirus exposure or 'social distancing.' He's just going about his day-to-day life."

Then these words of Jesus came to mind. "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" Later on in Jesus' sermon He says, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear? For... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:31-33)

The coronavirus pandemic has certainly caused a lot of anxiety, even to the point of people buying and hoarding supplies and creating temporary shortages for those who may need them. Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no need for us to panic. Listen to what Jesus says, "You are worth more than birds!" The birds are living in this coronavirus world and they are fine. Don't you think your heavenly Father will take care of you?

Certainly we need to stay safe, take precautions like washing our hands and even avoiding close contact if it will help stop the spread of this virus. But above all we need to remember our heavenly Father and His love for us in Jesus Christ His Son. He tells us to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness--the righteousness God offers through the forgiveness of sins Jesus earned for us on the cross--and all these things will be ours as well. Food, clothing, health, community--God will provide. He does it for the birds. He'll do it for you. Next time you see a robin, remember, God will take care of you!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words and Your love are our comfort in trying times. Thank You for reminding us that You died to make us Your own, and that we can trust in our heavenly Father's care. Amen.