Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour
Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of the Lutheran Hour - "Watchers
and Witnesses" - Saturday, 30 November 2013
O God, from my youth You have taught me,
and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O
God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your
power to all those to come. Psalm 71:17-18
If ministers see people at their best,
lawyers see them at their worst, and doctors see them as they really are. Then
television reporters see them at their most tragic.
That's the way it was for a TV crew in
Alabama. They were on the scene when a despondent, drunken, unemployed man set
himself on fire. They were there because he had called them to let them know
his intentions. It wasn't a false alarm because the fearful man did exactly as
he had promised.
That was when the TV people had to decide
what their roles would be. As newsmen, their job was to record the incident as
impassive and disinterested observers. At the same time, they also felt they
should be caring human beings and help the man by putting out the fire.
The TV camera recorded that these men
remained newsmen for some 37 seconds. That was how long they taped this burning
man. That is how long they did nothing to save him. Then after more than half a
minute, one of the men decided to change his role and began to battle the
flames.
By then it was nearly too late.
Fortunately, a volunteer fireman arrived, and he extinguished the flames.
The world is filled with people who, like
these newsmen, decide it's not their job to help a neighbor in distress. Truly
the world is filled with spectators. Sadly, there is more than one follower of
the Savior who can watch starvation, disease, pain, murder, and all of the
other world's ills on the news while calmly eating supper.
Somewhere along the line, these hearts
have become hardened and immune to the tragedies of the world. Somewhere along
the line, they convinced themselves that caring wasn't their job or
responsibility.
Thankfully, the Lord didn't become a
disinterested observer to the plight of sinful humanity. No one could have
criticized Him if He had stayed in His role as Judge and sent all of us to
hell. Most certainly that was His right. But we are saved because, in spite of
our sin, the Lord continued to care.
He cared enough to get involved.
He cared enough to send His Son into the
world to be born in a Bethlehem stable and die on a Jerusalem cross. He cared
enough to send His Son to take our place under the Law and offer forgiveness,
salvation and eternal life to an entire world.
The wonderful truth that God still cares
gives us an example that encourages us to do what we can to help those around
us who are hurting. That's because the Lord would have all who have been helped
by the Savior, share His love with others who also need that help.
That's because more than just being our
Savior, the Lord wants to be their Savior, too.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, this sinful world
has produced so much suffering that it is easy to be convinced we can make no
impact or difference. As Your saved children, grant us the grace to do what we
can to help. This I ask in the Name of the risen Redeemer who has done all to
help and save me. Amen
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In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-876-9880
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