Hand of the Lord

I will open rivers on the bare heights,
    and fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
    and the dry land springs of water.
I will put in the wilderness the cedar,
    the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive;
I will set in the desert the cypress,
    the plane and the pine together,
so that all may see and know,
    all may consider and understand,
that the hand of the Lord has done this,
    the Holy One of Israel has created it.
Isaiah 41:18-20 NRSV




The promises of the Lord are as numerous as the stars in the sky that He created. He created all things. He created even the wilderness which we find ourselves wandering through. The hand of the Lord has done this. Give thanks to the Lord for all His promises; his gifts, to humankind.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A New Year; A New Path?

"Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:16, 18-19

Today is the eve of the new year. It is a time when we typically take stock of the previous year and plan for a new and better year ahead. It can be a good thing to remember where we have been and what we have done. We can give thanks for the good things and resolve not to repeat the bad things. Remembering the past can help us with the future. But, it is not always such a wise thing to cling to the past. Forget it. Forgive yourself and others. It is time to move forward. The Lord has a new life in store for all who may have lost their way this past year.

May God help us to follow in His way in this new year that we might celebrate life in Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Continue The Journey In The Way

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in
heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love
with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in
your way." 2 Chron 6:14 

I began this blog with the book of Genesis four years ago at the request of a couple of members at Zion Lutheran, Skanee. We have journeyed together daily through the whole of the Holy Scriptures and the Small Catechism.

I have contemplated ending this journey and sleeping in instead as I am not really sure in which direction I should go. Attempting to come up with a new devotion, without guidelines, every day, seems to me to be a very daunting wilderness.

However, there have been a few who have asked me to continue this daily as it appears to help them to keep focused on the Word. I also probably need to continue so that I will not get lazy and sleep in. So, I will be continuing; but, in a different manner. I will no longer be directed by the next reading, the next chapter, or verses. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me daily to pray and meditate on and in the way that the Spirit leads.

We will see where our journey in "His Way" leads us. There is only one way. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life! (John 14:6)

Have a very blessed day!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Hebrews 11 - Faith Is Confidence In What We Do Not See

Hebrews 11 NIV
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for." (vs 1-2)
 
Read all of Hebrews 11! And, remember the courageous the acts of these ancients who lived by faith in the promises of God. Much was accomplished by them as they followed the will of God rather than what the world would expect of them. They were not striving after things that they could see. They were reaching out to serve a God whom they could not see. In Moses' case, as well as others, they were reaching for a promised land. They sought the kingdom which God had promised. By faith they set forth into a barren wilderness so that they might, at the end of their journey, receive the promise of God.

"These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (vs 39-40)

We, too, search for the promised Kingdom. We know it is there because we have God's promise. We have not seen it with our eyes; but, we have seen glimpses of it with the eyes of our hearts by faith. We push forward through a sometimes very barren and hostile wilderness so at the last our faith will be most fully realized (even more fully than our faith can fathom) in the Kingdom that has been promised us through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Hebrews 3 - He Leads Us

Hebrews 3 NIV

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. ^'Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house,' bearing witness to what would be spoken by God in the future. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are his house, if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory." (vs 4-6)

We are his house. He is faithful to us. May God help us to be faithful to him. God saved His people from the Egyptians. He delivered them from bondage. They followed him into the wilderness. But, once there, they began to rebel. They complained against God. They were not happy following in the way that He lead them. Those who rebelled perished in the wilderness. They never got to see the promised land.

God has delivered us from our own sinful nature by the blood of His Son, Jesus. He leads us through the wilderness. What shall we do there? Shall we rebel? Shall we complain against Him because the way is not always to our liking?

"Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house." We are his house. We are his children. Will we be faithful to him and follow through whichever wilderness he would lead us to the promised land?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ephesians 4:17-31 Walk In the Woods

Ephesians 4:17-32

Arvon Township near Big Eric's Bridge
over Huron River

I have been missing my walks in the woods. It is just too cold for me to be trudging through the snow. I am anxiously waiting for spring so that I can take some nice long walks again. My husband walks on the road. I prefer long walks in the woods where the ground is a bit softer and easier on my bones. We both have a destination. Once one chooses their destination one normally keeps going until they reach it unless something intercedes and shows us a better path. Sadly, some don't like to acknowledge, though, that there may be a better path.

If our destination, our goal, is the Kingdom of God then we must follow that path. However, if we choose to focus on the darkness then we will live in the darkness. This is not a temporary condition. It is permanent unless someone or something intercedes before we reach the end of our journey and shows us the path to the light, who is Jesus the Christ.

Paul is attempting, in today's reading, to intercede by reminding us that if our path is directed by the darkness of understanding and we are following in the ways of the world rather than as Christ would have us live, we ought to change the way in which we live. We ought to turn around and get on the path that leads to eternal life. As Christians we have been taught to put off our old self, with all of its deceitful desires and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness.

Life is in many ways like a journey through the wilderness, a walk in the woods. Please, do not be deceived. Keep your heart and mind focused on your destination; the destination that can only be reached through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Stay on the path that he has prepared for you.

God's Peace - Pr. J

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Through The Wilderness

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 NIV
The Israelites wandered through the wilderness for many years. God led them in a pillar of fire. According to St. Paul, the rock who is Jesus the Christ was with them. But, not all of them made it through to the promised land. There were those who were idolaters; those who indulged in revelry. Some testes Christ and were killed by snakes. Others grumbled and were killed by the destroying angel. Not all of them made it through. Although, they followed that pillar of fire through the wilderness; there were those who turned their back on Christ and lived according to their own desires.

St. Paul tells us this to remind us that these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as we journey through our own wilderness. There will be temptations; but, God does not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear.

The wilderness can be a rough place; but, Christ is with us. May God grant us the wisdom, the strength, and the courage to follow in His Way to the promised land, the Heavenly Kingdom.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 4:1-13 In The Wilderness

Luke 4:1-13 NIV
There are times in our lives when life gets a little tough. In times like that we might wonder where God is. Has He turned His back on us? Have we turned our back on Him and maybe quit listening or paying attention to Him? It is times like these when we remember that when Jesus went into the wilderness; he was actually led there by the Spirit.

Thus, you have the basis for the name of this blog "In The Wilderness." We are not alone in the wilderness. God is with us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 1:57-80 - Thanks Be To God!

Luke 1:57-80 NIV
God's will has been and will be done.

The elderly Elizabeth gives birth to her long awaited son. Thanks be to God!

Zechariah's mouth is stopped until the day of the circumcision and the naming of their child. Thanks be to God!

Zechariah is filled with he Holy Spirit and prophesied regarding the future of his child. Thanks be to God!

"....the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel" (vs 80) proclaiming the coming of the Savior of the world; proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Thanks be to God!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 1:9-13 The Wilderness Follows Baptism

 "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him." (Mark 1:9-13 NIV)

Immediately following his baptism; immediately after being anointed by the Holy Spirit; Jesus is sent by that same Spirit to the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He is there for forty days.

During my seventeen years of public ministry this is what I have observed most often: Following baptism or affirmation of baptism by people of consenting age; they disappear into the wilderness, often never to return. When and if they do return, it is usually only for a special holy day once or twice a year or even every other year. Sometimes they will come for someone else's baptism or maybe for a wedding or funeral. I have tried to warn them in these latter years that with the anointing of the Holy Spirit in baptism, they, too, will be tested by Satan. The devil will not be happy that they have received this sacred gift from God. But, my warnings usually fall on deaf ears - ears that do not hear. They simply do not get that becoming a child of God is about more than getting to heaven when they die. The devil gets it; but, we do not.

We are anointed at our baptisms with the Holy Spirit for very good reasons. One being; that we will need the Spirit with us as we journey through the wilderness. We also cannot forget that it was the Spirit that sent Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted in the first place. The journey through the wilderness; the temptations that will come; are the Spirit's way of preparing us for our entire life's journey as children of God; for our ministry as followers of Jesus. Remember, that Jesus' ministry did not begin until after he was baptized and after he was tempted in the wilderness.

Baptism is not just a mere ritual by which we gain entrance into the church. Do not take it lightly. As we become children of God, we are called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. That will include journeying through the wilderness; being tempted by Satan; ministering to others; actually worshipping, loving, and serving our Father in heaven; doing His will. But, do not fear, for you have been anointed by the Holy Spirit. God will be with you on your journey.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jonah 4 - Jonah Is An Angry Man

God calls some of the most unlikely people to do His will. Jonah is an angry man. He's upset because after going through the ordeal with the fish; then relenting and doing God's will by going to the people of Nineveh to warn them to repent; they repent and God saves them! And... Jonah is angry. After all of his trouble, God saves the people, anyway. Jonah is angry because God did not destroy the people.

Jonah goes out to the wilderness to pout under the shade of the tree that God provides for him. God sends a worm to destroy the tree and Jonah is angry because God destroyed the tree.

"But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:10 NIV)

Jonah is an angry man. Are you an angry person, as well? Have you ever considered the trivialness of those things that upset you; that make you angry? Think about some of those little things that you allow to take away your peace. Is it really worth it? Should we rather not take pity and pray for those who can't figure out their right hand from their left rather than lose our peace by being angry with them?

Trust in the LORD. Trust that all that He does is for the good of those whom He loves and He loves you.

May the peace of the LORD be with you always.  Pr. J

Hosea 7 - Hunting Season - Yooper Holy Days

I spent Monday evening at my husband's hunting camp. He is preparing for the Yoopers' (a person who lives in or is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) grand holy days - that is deer hunting -firearm season. People come from all over to celebrate those last two weeks of November. I find the whole season quite confounding. Men, women and children miss worship services as they are sitting in their blinds and you cannot even begin to imagine how full our taverns get after the sun sets! Lots of drinking and carousing going on... Just a warning: Drinking or drugging and hunting do not make good companions. Stuff happens - bad stuff happens - when sites are not set on the Kingdom of God.

Right now, it is bow season. Not so many participate in this sport.

"They do not turn to the Most High;    they are like a faulty bow." (Hosea 7:16 NIV)

Like a faulty bow that cannot hit a target, so too are all those who refuse to keep their eyes on the goal of the Kingdom. A warped bow is almost impossible to use and one whose faith is skewed will struggle mightily in their journey through the wilderness. Like a bent arrow, we might be aiming for the target, but the slightest wind will cause us to stray.

May God help us all to keep our eyes the Most High and on the target He has given us, which is His Kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

P.S. Just a note to thank God for all of the hunter's who are from out of our area (seasonal residents)somehow manage to make it to Zion to worship during firearm season even while sometimes local members cannot manage it.

Hosea 2 - God Leads You To The Wilderness

His beloved turn their backs to Him seeking other lovers; but, they will not be satisfied. Seeking one after another that will satisfy their longing, they will come up empty, returning to the One who loves them.

The sinful natures leads us away from the beautiful promise; but, the LORD will turn the hearts of the people to Him.

The LORD, Himself, will help us to return to Him. We do not go alone. We are like the wife who strays, whose heart is empty of genuine love, always searching for that which will fill her. But, we seek in all the wrong places. Out of love and mercy, the LORD, Himself, will come to us. He will lead us into the wilderness to make us His own.

“Therefore I am now going to allure her;
    I will lead her into the wilderness
    and speak tenderly to her.
There I will give her back her vineyards,
    and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.
There she will respond as in the days of her youth,
    as in the day she came up out of Egypt.

“In that day,” declares the Lord,
    “you will call me ‘my husband’;    you will no longer call me ‘my master." (Hosea 2:14-16 NIV)

 

"I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;    and they will say, ‘You are my God.'" (Hos 2:23)

 

Finding yourself in the wilderness is not a time to be seeking after comfort and protection from those who do know and you do not know. It is not a time to seek other love. It is a time to rejoice for the LORD, who is your husband, is with you. He led you there that you might know Him!

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Daniel 4 - Babylonian King Glorifies God; Will We?

"At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
    his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
    are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
    with the powers of heaven
    and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
    or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (Dan 4:34-36 NIV)

King Nebuchadnezzar, mighty and powerful, had been brought to his knees and when he looked toward heaven, acknowledging that no one was before God, no one was more mighty or powerful than God, he was restored to his sanity.

Nebuchadnezzar had another one of those fantastic dreams which Daniel interpreted for him. Nebuchadnezzar, this powerful king, would be brought down to his knees. He would wander around in the wilderness, completely mad. It was as was predicted. He went through a horrible time of trial; but, in the end this great Babylonian king did not shake his fist at God. He thanked God. He praised Him!

What about us? Do we, who profess Jesus Christ, give thanks and praise to God for all things? Do we praise Him when we go through trying times? Think about it; King Nebuchadnezzar had gone totally mad; driven by God from the people to wander about in the wilderness with the wild animals, even eating the grass of the fields with the oxen.

When we are driven to wander aimlessly in the wilderness, what will we do? Will we turn quickly and give praise and thanksgiving to God?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezeiel 20 - Just a Parable or Fairy Tale?

"Then I said, “Sovereign Lord, they are saying of me, ‘Isn’t he just telling parables?" (Ezekiel 20:49 NIV)

Do you want to be like your forefathers? Do you really have to worship false idols? You want to rebel against me and follow in the ways of the world? This, says the LORD, He will not allow to happen. They will be sent into the wilderness. They will be purged of their unrighteousness.

The word of God comes through Ezekiel, the prophet, for the LORD will not allow these rebellious children to speak to Him. Yet, they mock Ezekiel. They ignore the word of God. Saying to Ezekiel, "Isn’t he just telling parables?" (vs 49) Isn't he just telling us nice stories? Very few things frustrate me more than to know that someone claims to be a Christian; yet, thinks that the Holy Bible is nothing more than a good or nice book. We can take out of it those things that will help us live better lives according to the world's standards. But, those things that don't fit the modern world we live in today, can be thrown out. It has, for some, become a book of law with good teaching or laws that we are to follow or not. All it takes is a vote of the church to get rid of what doesn't suit us. I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. The Holy Bible is not just a book which presents a nice outline on how to get along with our neighbor or not depending on the individual or even the generation. It is a book of grace. It brings us the good news of life in the promised land - His Kingdom. And... it is definitely the word of God. We don't get to pick and choose which words are merely cute stories and which ones we might choose to take to heart.  Quit writing God's word off as fairy tales. If we expect God to listen to us, then let us listen to Him.

"Then the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Have you come to inquire of me? As surely as I live, I will not let you inquire of me, declares the Sovereign LORD." (Ezekiel 20:2-3)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 52 - In and Out of Exile and Captivity

We have come to the end of the Book of Jeremiah with Chapter 52. Chapter 52 is basically an encapsulated history of the Babylonian Captivity to ensure that we and all who read or hear Jeremiah understand that the Word of the LORD prophesied through Jeremiah was fulfilled. It is a remembering of their history.

It is good to remember the history of the children of Abraham, so that we do not repeat it. Sadly, I think we do continue to repeat it. We follow in the footsteps of Abraham's children, into the wilderness of sin. As we are  strengthened by the hardships, we return to the LORD and to the promised land. And... once, safe in the land, we take for granted the LORD, our God, and back to the wilderness, in exile, we go.

"When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath." (Deut 4:30-31 NIV)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 35 - Faithful As A Rekabite?

Jeremiah is still trying to get the people to change their ways. He is still trying to get them to listen to the LORD and follow in the way that He would have them go.

The Rekabites are used as an example of obedience and faithfulness. This family had been instructed, by their forefather, Jehonadab son of Rekab, never to drink wine, never to build homes for themselves; never to farm; rather, they were to live as nomads in tents and they would continue to live in the land for generations to come serving the LORD. These Rekabites actually listened. Even when Jeremiah tempted them with wine, they refused to drink. They did everything that they had been instructed to do by their forefather and the LORD promised that "Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.” (Jer 35:19)

On the other hand, the rest of the people remained hard-hearted and chose to do what they wanted to do and rejected the way of the LORD, their God, who had delivered them from the hands of Egypt. They rejected Him and would return to captivity.

I'm thinking that Jeremiah's attempts at changing the hearts and minds of these people with threats are going to end up pretty fruitless. Only the LORD can soften their hearts and it will be that they will not be softened until they spend some more time in the wilderness, in exile, in captivity.

I hope that we can all learn from the history of our forefathers... We shouldn't have to be threatened to get us to have faithful hearts. After all, look what the LORD has done for us... delivered us from the bondage of sin, by the precious blood of His own Son.

So why is it that some will be faithful to the way in which they should go and others will not? May God help us to be more like the Rekabites: faithful in the way that we should go.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 43 - I Am With You.

The LORD tells Israel, He tells us: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you..." (Isa 43:5 NIV) He promises release from bondage. He promises redemption. He promises salvation.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you..." How often we need to hear those words! Do not be afraid. God is with you. We often find ourselves in bondage to a variety of issues we are struggling to figure and work out for ourselves or someone we love. Maybe it's financial difficulties or an illness that may not have a known remedy or one that can't even be diagnosed that makes us feel like we are bearing a yoke too heavy to bear.

It sometimes feels as though we are lost in a thick forest with no signs of a path to lead us out. We find ourselves journeying through the wilderness and feeling like we are making that journey quite alone.  Be not afraid. You are not alone. The LORD, who created and redeemed you has not deserted you. He is with you. The word of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, promises this.

God is with you and may He help you to know and recognize the peace that is with His presence (that is His presence). God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 99 - Speak To Him And Listen!

The misdeeds of Israel did not go unpunished.  But, they continued to call on and exalt His name and the LORD continued to speak to them.  He led them through the wilderness.  They called on His name and He led them through the wilderness to the promised land.

We are all guilty of misdeeds.  That does not mean the LORD has turned His back on us.  Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide us on our way.  Pray to Him and He will answer. Bow down and worship the one true God.  God will forgive us our sins against Him.  He will lead us on our journey through every wilderness, every dark valley.

Take a lesson from the Israelites who wandered in the desert for so many years because they were afraid to take the land the LORD had promised them.  Do not fear to follow in the way He would have you go.  Listen to Him.  For He is just and merciful.  Do not turn away from Him, but follow wherever He may lead. 

How many times have we found ourselves in an anxious place, a dark place where we cannot seem to find our way out?  There is a way.  Speak to the LORD, ask Him to show you the way out. The LORD our God will lead you out of bondage.  It may take a little time in the wilderness, but you will enter the promised land. God will do what He has promised and He has promised justice and equity.  In Jesus Christ, He has promised you peace that surpasses all understanding.  Speak to Him and listen, for He will guide you on your way. 

"Great is the LORD our God. He is exalted over all the nations. Worship Him and only Him for the Lord our God is holy."

God's Peace - Pr. J 

Psalm 95 - God Was Angry

I wonder how many "Christians" know the story of the Israelites escape from Egypt.  If they have heard it, did they really listen?  I think we like to forget the part that the Israelites wandered through the desert for forty years because God was angry with them for not trusting Him. They were not wandering around just because they were lost.  Well, I guess they were lost in a sense because they did not trust nor listen to God. 

God was angry!  How many of you, does that surprise?  Isn't God suppose to be an all loving, all giving, just an even-tempered, all gracious God.  Indeed, He is all loving.  But, scripture also tells us that God can be angry when His children refuse to listen to Him, refuse to trust Him, refuse to follow in the way He has led them.  Indeed, He is quick to forgive all who turn to Him in the name of His Son, Jesus the Christ.  But, he is not overjoyed knowing that there are those who would forsake Him or His Son who was willing to die so that all people might be reconciled to Him in the promised land, the Kingdom.  Make no mistake, when you sin and willfully follow in the ways that would lead you away from the kingdom of God, you are separating yourself from God and the promised land.  God wants you to be reconciled to Him in His Kingdom.  Why would He be happy if you chose another way and rejected the promised gift?

The Israelites feared entering into the promised land in the way that God would have them go.  They feared and chose another way.  They rejected God's full promise to them, at least in the way that He would give it to them.  And... God was angry. The consequence was to wander around outside the promised land for forty more years. For sure God was with them as they continued their journey through the wilderness.  And... God is with you.  You have no need to fear following in the way that God has prepared for you through Jesus Christ, our LORD.

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. If you're having problems remembering the story, read again the story of how the Israelites decided, out of fear, that they would not enter the promised land as God directed them. It can be found in Numbers 13 and 14.