Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri,United States "Taking the Blame" for Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri,United States "Taking the Blame" for Wednesday, 2 September 2015 

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri,United States "Taking the Blame" for Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.[Proverbs 28:13]
Although I can't remember what I had done wrong, I do remember I had messed up and my father was teaching me to be a man. He said, "Ken, you know and I know you've done something wrong here. For that you are going to be punished. The difference is this: I need you to 'fess up. If you do, you will still be punished, but if you don't, the punishment will be greater because you didn't take responsibility and act like a man."
Lesson learned. Apparently, it was not a lesson taught to a New York father, Michael Ware.
Ware tried to be a "cool" dad. For him that meant allowing his 15-year-old daughter to regularly drive the family SUV. In the eyes of his daughter's friends, Ware was the ultimate father. That changed the day his daughter drove some of her friends to breakfast.
On the way home there was an accident. Three of the daughter's friends were killed.
It was a terrible tragedy... one that rocked many families. It was also the moment when Ware should have stepped up and admitted, "I am the one behind this 'preventable, irresponsible, reckless, stupid and selfish' tragedy."
Sadly, it was Judge Roy Hamill, not Ware, who used those words. Ware acted differently.
Ware went to his daughter and said, "Don't tell anyone I gave you the keys to the SUV. Just say you took those keys, and I didn't know anything about what was going on. I need you to take the heat for the accident because they will go easier on a minor like you." The daughter did as her father asked. Eventually, the truth came out, and the judge made a ruling on the case.
Ware's lawyer had asked that he be sentenced to prison for 12 or 13 months. The judge did not accept that request. Prefacing his sentence, the judge asked, "What kind of father does (something like) this?" Then, partially because Ware had figuratively thrown his daughter under the bus, his honor sentenced Ware to 6 and a half to16 years in prison.
Scripture is filled with people who tried to pass the blame. After the first sin, Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the snake. Cain killed Abel and pretended he didn't know what had happened to his brother. And that's just the first four chapters of the Bible.
In contrast to our natural desire to pass the buck (and we've all done it), the Lord tells us that those who try to hide their sins are not going to do well. In Proverbs He tells us that we ought to confess our sins and thereby receive the mercy, which comes to us through the sacrifice and victory of our Redeemer.
When we admit our errors and fall on the mercy of the court, we will be amazed to see just how merciful the divine Judge can be.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that in the Redeemer we have obtained mercy for our manifold transgressions. May we come before You praying, "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner" and then rejoice that Your mercy and forgiveness is there. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Through the Bible in a Year
Today Read:
2 Chronicles 19:1 Then Y’hoshafat the king of Y’hudah returned home to Yerushalayim in peace. 2 Yehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Y’hoshafat, “Should you help the wicked and befriend those who hate Adonai? Because of this, Adonai’s anger is upon you. 3 Still, there is some good in you, in that you have removed the sacred poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.”

4 So Y’hoshafat lived in Yerushalayim and again circulated among the people from Be’er-Sheva to the hills of Efrayim, bringing them back to Adonai, the God of their ancestors.

5 He appointed judges throughout the land in all the fortified cities of Y’hudah, city by city, 6 and instructed the judges, “Think about what you are doing: you are not dispensing justice by merely human standards but on behalf of Adonai; he is with you when you deliver a verdict. 7 Therefore, let the fear of Adonai be upon you; be careful what you do; for Adonai our God does not allow dishonesty, partiality or bribe-taking.”

8 In Yerushalayim Y’hoshafat appointed some of the L’vi’im, cohanim and clan heads of Isra’el to judge in matters concerning Adonai and in civil cases. After they had returned to Yerushalayim, 9 he charged them, “Here is what you are to do faithfully and wholeheartedly, in fear of Adonai: 10 when an issue comes before you from your brothers who live in their cities, whether it’s a case involving bloodshed or a question as to which teaching, mitzvah, law or ruling applies, you must warn them; so that they won’t incur guilt toward Adonai and thereby bring anger on both you and your kinsmen. Do this, and you won’t incur guilt. 11 Amaryahu the chief cohen is over you in all matters concerning Adonai, and Z’vadyahu the son of Yishma‘el, chief of the house of Y’hudah, in all the king’s matters. The officers of the L’vi’im are at your service. Be strong, and act, and may Adonai be with the good.”

20:1 Some time later, the people of Mo’av and the people of ‘Amon with other ‘Amonim came up to fight Y’hoshafat. 2 Y’hoshafat was told, “A huge army from beyond the [Dead] Sea, from Aram, is on its way to fight you; right now they are in Hatzatzon-Tamar” (that is, ‘Ein-Gedi). 3 Y’hoshafat was frightened, so he determined to seek Adonai. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Y’hudah, 4 and Y’hudah assembled to seek help from Adonai; they came from all the cities of Y’hudah to seek Adonai.

5 Standing in front of the new courtyard in the house of Adonai, among those assembled from Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, 6 he said: “Adonai, God of our ancestors, you alone are God in heaven. You rule all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and strength, so that no one can withstand you. 7 You, our God, drove out those living in the land ahead of your people Isra’el and gave it forever to the descendants of Avraham your friend. 8 They lived in it, built you a sanctuary in it for your name, and said, 9 ‘If calamity strikes us, such as war, judgment, disease or famine, we will stand before this house — that is, before you, since your name is in this house — and cry to you in our distress; and you will hear us and rescue us.’

10 “So now, see: the people of ‘Amon, Mo’av and Mount Se‘ir, whom you would not let Isra’el invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, so that they turned away from them and did not destroy them, 11 are now repaying us [evil]; they have come to throw us out of your possession, which you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God! Won’t you execute judgment against them? For we haven’t strength enough to defeat this huge horde coming against us, and we don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

13 All Y’hudah stood before Adonai with their little ones, their wives and their children. 14 Then, in the middle of the assembly, the Spirit of Adonai came upon Yachzi’el the son of Z’kharyahu, the son of B’nayah, the son of Ye‘i’el, the son of Matanyah the Levi, from the descendants of Asaf. 15 He said, “Listen, all Y’hudah, you who live in Yerushalayim and King Y’hoshafat: here is what Adonai is saying to you: ‘Don’t be afraid or distressed by this great horde; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow, go down against them. They will be coming up by the ascent of Tzitz, and you will find them at the end of the vadi, before the Yeru’el Desert. 17 You won’t even need to fight this battle! Just take your positions, Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, stand still, and watch how Adonai will deliver you! Don’t be afraid or distressed; tomorrow, go out against them; for Adonai is with you.’”

18 Y’hoshafat bowed his head with his face to the ground; while all Y’hudah and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim fell down before Adonai, worshipping Adonai; 19 and the L’vi’im from the descendants of the K’hati and the descendants of the Korchi, stood up and praised Adonai the God of Isra’el at the top of their voices.

20 The next morning, they rose early and went out into the T’koa Desert. As they left, Y’hoshafat stood and said, “Listen to me, Y’hudah and you inhabitants of Yerushalayim!

“Trust in Adonai your God,

and you will be safe.

Trust in his prophets,

and you will succeed.”

21 After consulting with the people, he appointed those who would sing to Adonai and praise the splendor of his holiness as they went out ahead of the army, saying, “Give thanks to Adonai, for his grace continues forever.” 22 Then, during the time when they were singing and praising, Adonai brought a surprise attack against the people of ‘Amon, Mo’av and Mount Se‘ir who had come to fight Y’hudah; and they were defeated. 23 What happened was that the people of ‘Amon and Mo’av began attacking those people who lived by Mount Se‘ir, to kill and destroy them completely; and when they had finished off the people from Se‘ir, they set to work slaughtering one another. 24 So when Y’hudah reached the watchtower overlooking the desert, they looked toward the horde; and there in front of them were corpses fallen to the ground; none had escaped. 25 Y’hoshafat and his army came to take the spoil from them and found among them personal property in abundance and corpses with precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves until they couldn’t carry any more. They took three days just to collect the spoil, there was so much. 26 On the fourth day, they assembled in the Valley of B’rakhah [blessing], where they blessed Adonai; hence that place is called the Valley of B’rakhah to this day.

27 Then they returned, everyone from Y’hudah and Yerushalayim, with Y’hoshafat leading them joyfully back to Yerushalayim; for Adonai had caused them to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They came to Yerushalayim with lyres, lutes and trumpets and went to the house of Adonai. 29 A panic from God was on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that Adonai had fought against the enemies of Isra’el. 30 So Y’hoshafat’s rule was a quiet one, because his God gave him rest all around.

31 Y’hoshafat ruled over Y’hudah; he was thirty-five years old when he began his reign, and he ruled twenty-five years in Yerushalayim. His mother’s name was ‘Azuvah the daughter of Shilchi. 32 He lived in the manner of Asa his father and did not turn away from it, doing what was right from Adonai’s perspective; 33 although the high places were not taken away, and the people had not yet set their hearts toward the God of their ancestors. 34 Other activities of Y’hoshafat, from beginning to end, are written in the records of Yehu the son of Hanani, which have been inserted in the Annals of the Kings of Isra’el.

35 It was after this that Y’hoshafat joined up with Achazyah king of Isra’el, who was acting very wickedly. 36 He joined together with him to build large ships capable of going to Tarshish; they made the ships in ‘Etzyon-Gever. 37 Then Eli‘ezer the son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Y’hoshafat: “Because you joined yourself with Achazyah, Adonai is wrecking your project.” And the ships were wrecked, so that they couldn’t go to Tarshish.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves from everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, out of reverence for God.

2 Make room for us in your hearts — we haven’t wronged anyone, we haven’t corrupted anyone, we haven’t exploited anyone. 3 I am not saying this to put blame on you, for I have already said that you have a place in our hearts, whether we live together or die together; 4 that I am very confident in you; that I am very proud of you; that you have filled me with encouragement; and that in spite of all our troubles, I am overflowing with joy.

5 For indeed when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest. On the contrary, we faced all kinds of troubles — altercations without, apprehensions within. 6 But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us with the arrival of Titus! 7 However, it was not only his arrival which encouraged us, but also how encouraged he was about you, as he told us how you long to see me, how distressed you are over my situation, how zealous you are in my defense — this news made me even happier!

8 If I caused you pain by my letter, I do not regret it. Even if I did regret it before — for I do see that that letter did distress you, though only for a short time — 9 now I rejoice not because you were pained, but because the pain led you to turn back to God. For you handled the pain in God’s way, so that you were not harmed by us at all. 10 Pain handled in God’s way produces a turning from sin to God which leads to salvation, and there is nothing to regret in that! But pain handled in the world’s way produces only death. 11 For just look at what handling the pain God’s way produced in you! What earnest diligence, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what readiness to put things right! In everything you have proved yourselves blameless in the matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of either the one who did the wrong or the one wronged, but so that before God you could see for yourselves how deep is your devotion to us. 13 This is the reason we have been encouraged.

Besides our own encouragement, we had the even greater joy of seeing how happy Titus was, because all of you set his mind at rest. 14 For I had boasted somewhat about you to him, and now I have not been made to look foolish. On the contrary, just as everything we have said to you is true, so too our boasting in front of Titus has proved true. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater as he remembers how ready you were to obey and how you received him with reverence and respect. 16 I am glad that I can have such complete confidence in you.

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