The Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour in Saint Louis, Missouri, United States [Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).] "A Friend Searches until You're Found" for Monday, September 12, 2016
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law muttered, "This Man welcomes sinners and He eats with them." Luke 15:1 (Jesus said) "The Son of Man comes to seek and to save the lost!"[Luke 19:10]Have you ever been really lost and then experienced the love of someone who did everything in their power to find you? I have. Well, I wasn't really lost, but I was misplaced for a while. You see, when I was younger, I would say, 12 years old or so, my parents took us to this place in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was where the Black River meets the shores of Lake Superior. It is a beautiful place. Once you arrive, in order to get to the beach, you have to park your car in the parking lot, then make your way from the lot to a rickety bridge over the Black River. Once over the bridge there's a fork in the path. One goes to the beach on Lake Superior; the other goes up this hill along this cliff to this beautiful place called Rainbow Falls. Now, I can't remember all the details of that day, but let's just say this. My mom and dad were a bit slow getting out of the car -- at least to me. I guess it was because we had a new baby brother named Andrew. So, while they were fussing over him, I lead my brothers, Eric and Matthew, over the bridge because -- you know how boys are -- we were excited to get to the beach. After crossing the bridge, looking at that fork in the road, and realizing my parents were taking a lot of time, I got the bright idea to take my younger brothers to the falls first. I thought, we'd go there, take a quick look at the falls and be back to the beach in no time.
So off we went. I'm not sure how long we were gone, but I guess it was a while. All the time we were gone, my dad was feverishly looking for us. My mom was continually calling out our names. As a parent now, I can't even imagine what they were going through, but one thing I do understand now: I know they would have looked for us until we were found, no matter what. How do I know? I can still see their faces when they ran to hold us as we got back from the falls. I can see my mom's tears to this day. I can still see the stern relief on my dad's face and still hear him scold me to never run off like that again. Why, because they loved me, they loved my brothers, and they wanted what was best for us.
It's hard to imagine today, but there are children whose parents couldn't care less about them. There are people who not only don't feel loved -- they really aren't loved by the people around them or by the families in which they were born. It's unimaginable, but that crisis of uncaring is something we've unleashed in our society in the name of "freedom to do as we please." Amidst all that pain, God's people can be those who at least demonstrate that's there's another way to live, another way to love, to care for those no one else cares about.
And the very best way we can do that is to tell people of the love of God, the kind of love that doesn't wait for us to come and find it, to find Him. Jesus clearly tells us, He doesn't wait for us to come home to Him; He seeks us to save us even when we've lost our way. Why?
Because that's the way of God's love.
His love is the kind of love that seeks us out, that finds what was lost, that adopts what was orphaned, that covers what is exposed, that won't stop until we are found in His saving, loving arms. I felt that kind of love one day, when, as a sinner, I was still loved home. I'm thankful I had that kind of love growing up. It really does make a difference in your life. But I'm even more thankful that my parents made sure that I saw the kind of love that God has for me in Jesus Christ. It's the kind of love that is there for you even when everyone and everything else might be against you. Know this today: that love can be yours today, and you too can see what that kind of love can do in and through your life!
THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, when we look to You in the Bible, help us to see that everything You say and do in and through Your Word is coming from the heart of One who desperately desires for all who are lost to be found -- and that includes us today! Amen!
In Christ,Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible in a Year Readings: 2 Chronicles 31-32; Acts 20:1-16
2 Chronicles 31:1 After all this was over, all Isra’el who were there went out to the cities of Y’hudah and smashed the standing-stones, chopped down the sacred poles, and broke down the high places and altars throughout Y’hudah, Binyamin, Efrayim and M’nasheh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Isra’el returned to their own cities, each to his own possession.
2 Hizkiyahu re-established the divisions of the cohanim and L’vi’im in accordance with the way the divisions had been before, with each man assigned his task, both the cohanim and the L’vi’im, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to serve, to give thanks and to praise at the gates of Adonai’s camp. 3 He determined a portion of the king’s property to be given for the burnt offerings, that is, for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for burnt offerings on Shabbats, Rosh-Hodesh and the designated times, as prescribed by the Torah of Adonai. 4 He also ordered the people living in Yerushalayim to contribute the portion meant for the cohanim and L’vi’im, so that they would be submitting themselves to the Torah of Adonai. 5 As soon as the order was issued, the people of Isra’el gave in abundance from the firstfruits of the grain, wine, olive oil, honey and other agricultural produce; they brought the required tenth and more. 6 The people of Isra’el and Y’hudah living in the cities of Y’hudah also brought the required tenth of oxen and sheep and the required tenth of consecrated gifts that had been dedicated to Adonai their God, and piled them in heaps. 7 They began accumulating these heaps in the third month and completed them in the seventh month. 8 When Hizkiyahu and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed Adonai and his people Isra’el. 9 When Hizkiyahu asked the cohanim and L’vi’im about the heaps, 10 ‘Azaryahu the chief cohen, from the house of Tzadok, answered him, “Ever since the people began bringing offerings into the house of Adonai, we have had enough to eat and plenty left over; for Adonai has blessed his people, and what is left over is this massive supply.”
11 Then Hizkiyahu ordered storerooms prepared in the house of Adonai. After preparing them, 12 they faithfully brought in the offerings, the required tenths and the consecrated things. Konanyahu the Levi was put in charge of them, with Shim‘i his brother as his assistant. 13 Hizkiyahu the king and ‘Azaryahu the ruler of the house of God appointed Yechi’el, ‘Azazyahu, Nachat, ‘Asah’el, Yerimot, Yozavad, Eli’el, Yismachyah, Machat and B’nayahu as supervisors to serve under Konanyah and Shim‘i his brother. 14 Kore the son of Yimnah the Levi, gatekeeper at the East Gate, was responsible for the voluntary offerings to God; he had to distribute the offerings made to Adonai and the especially holy gifts. 15 Under him were ‘Eden, Minyamin, Yeshua, Sh’ma‘yahu, Amaryahu and Sh’khanyahu, in the cities of the cohanim, faithfully making the distributions to their kinsmen by divisions, to great and small alike. 16 Every male three years and older entitled to enter the house of Adonai was given his daily share for performing his duties according to his division, regardless of how he was recorded in the genealogies. 17 Likewise, those recorded in the genealogies of the cohanim by clans received shares, as did the L’vi’im twenty years and older who were performing their duties in their assigned divisions. 18 When shares were assigned, all their little ones, wives, sons and daughters were also recorded in the genealogies, throughout the entire community; for in their faithfulness to this task they consecrated themselves. 19 Finally, shares were assigned to the descendants of Aharon, the cohanim, who lived in the pasture-lands surrounding their cities — in each city they were mentioned by name. Thus portions were distributed to all the males among the cohanim and to all whose genealogies showed that they belonged to the L’vi’im.
20 This is what Hizkiyahu did throughout all Y’hudah. He accomplished things that were good, right and faithful before Adonai his God. 21 Every project that he undertook in order to seek his God, whether in the service of the house of God or in connection with the Torah and the mitzvot, he did with all his heart; and so he succeeded.
32:1 After these events and this faithfulness of [Hizkiyahu’s], Sancheriv king of Ashur came, invaded Y’hudah and besieged the fortified cities, thinking that he would break in [and capture] them. 2 When Hizkiyahu saw that Sancheriv had come and intended to attack Yerushalayim, 3 he consulted his leading men and military advisers about sealing off the water in the springs outside the city. After gaining their support, 4 a large crowd was gathered to block all the springs and the stream flowing through the countryside. They reasoned, “Why should the kings of Ashur come and find an ample supply of water?” 5 Then, taking courage, he rebuilt all the broken sections of the wall, raised towers on it, built another wall outside that, strengthened the Millo in the City of David, and made a large quantity of spears and shields. 6 He appointed military commanders over the people, then gathered them before him in the open space at the city gate and spoke these words of encouragement to them: 7 “Be strong! Take courage! Don’t be afraid or distressed on account of the king of Ashur or all the horde he brings with him. For the One with us is greater than the one with him — 8 he has human strength, but we have Adonai our God to help us and fight our battles!” The people took heart at the words of Hizkiyahu king of Y’hudah.
9 After this, while Sancheriv and all his army were besieging Lakhish, he sent his envoys to Yerushalayim, to Hizkiyahu king of Y’hudah and to all Y’hudah who were there in Yerushalayim, with this message: 10 “This is what Sancheriv king of Ashur says: ‘What gives you the confidence that you can endure a siege against Yerushalayim? 11 Hasn’t Hizkiyahu deluded you? Isn’t he condemning you to death by starvation and thirst when he says, “Adonai our God will save us from the king of Ashur”? 12 Isn’t this the same Hizkiyahu who removed [your God’s] high places and altars and ordered Y’hudah and Yerushalayim to worship before one altar and offer sacrifices only on it? 13 Don’t you realize what I and my ancestors have done to all the peoples of the other countries? Were the gods of these nations able to do a thing to rescue their country from me? 14 Who of all the gods of those nations that my ancestors completely destroyed was able to rescue his people from me? How then will your God rescue you from me? 15 Don’t let Hizkiyahu mislead you or delude you this way, don’t believe him. For no god of any nation or kingdom has ever been able to rescue his people from me or my ancestors; how much less will your God rescue you from me!’”
16 His envoys kept on speaking against Adonai, God; and against his servant Hizkiyahu. 17 He also wrote a letter insulting Adonai the God of Isra’el and speaking against him; it said, “Just as the gods of the nations of the other countries could not rescue their people from me, likewise Hizkiyahu’s God will not rescue his people from me.”
18 They were shouting loudly in the language of the Judeans to the people of Yerushalayim who were on the wall in order to terrify them and make them fearful, so that they could capture the city. 19 They spoke about the God of Yerushalayim in the same way as about the gods of the other peoples of the earth, which are merely human artifacts. 20 Because of this, Hizkiyahu the king and Yesha‘yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz, prayed and cried out to heaven. 21 Then Adonai sent an angel, who cut down the valiant warriors, the leaders and the officers in the king of Ashur’s camp, so that he had to return shamefaced to his own country. When he entered the house of his god, his own sons, whom he himself had fathered, put him to death with the sword there.
22 In this way Adonai rescued Hizkiyahu and those living in Yerushalayim from Sancheriv the king of Ashur and from everyone, caring for them in every respect. 23 Many people brought gifts to Adonai in Yerushalayim and items of value to Hizkiyahu king of Y’hudah, so that from then on he was regarded highly by all the nations.
24 Around this time, Hizkiyahu became ill to the point of death. But he prayed to Adonai, who answered him, even giving him a sign. 25 However, Hizkiyahu did not respond commensurately with the benefit done for him, because he had grown proud; thus he brought anger on himself and on Y’hudah and Yerushalayim as well. 26 But Hizkiyahu then humbled himself for his pride, both he and the people living in Yerushalayim, so that Adonai’s anger did not strike them during Hizkiyahu’s lifetime.
27 Hizkiyahu had vast riches and great honor. He provided himself with storage places for silver, gold, precious stones, spices, shields and all kinds of valuable articles; 28 also storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine and olive oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock and pens for the flocks. 29 He provided cities for himself and purchased flocks and herds in abundance, for God had made him extremely wealthy.
30 It was this same Hizkiyahu who blocked the upper outlet of the Gichon Spring and diverted the water straight down on the west side of the City of David.
Hizkiyahu succeeded in all that he did. 31 However, in the matter of the ambassadors from the princes of Bavel, who sent to him to learn of the marvel that had taken place in the land, God left him by himself, in order to test him, so that he might know everything that was in his heart.
32 Other activities of Hizkiyahu and his good deeds are recorded in the vision of Yesha‘yahu the prophet, the son of Amotz, and in the Annals of the Kings of Y’hudah and Isra’el. 33 Then Hizkiyahu slept with his ancestors, and they buried him by the path leading up to the tombs of the descendants of David. All Y’hudah and the people living in Yerushalayim honored him when he died, after which M’nasheh his son took his place as king.
Acts 20:1 After the furor died down, Sha’ul sent for the talmidim and encouraged them, then took his leave and set out on his way to Macedonia. 2 He went through that area, and, after saying much to encourage them, passed on to Greece, 3 where he spent three months. As he was preparing to set sail for Syria, he discovered a plot against him by the unbelieving Jews; so he changed his mind and decided to return by way of Macedonia. 4 Sopater from Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; as did Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. 5 These men went on and waited for us in Troas, 6 while we sailed from Philippi after the Days of Matzah. Five days later, we met them in Troas, where we spent a week.
7 On Motza’ei-Shabbat, when we were gathered to break bread, Sha’ul addressed them. Since he was going to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 Now there were many oil lamps burning in the upstairs room where we were meeting, 9 and there was a young fellow named Eutychus sitting on the window-sill. As Sha’ul’s drash went on and on, Eutychus grew sleepier and sleepier; until finally he went sound asleep and fell from the third story to the ground. When they picked him up, he was dead. 10 But Sha’ul went down, threw himself onto him, put his arms around him and said, “Don’t be upset, he’s alive!” 11 Then he went back upstairs, broke the bread and ate. He continued talking with them till daylight, then left. 12 So, greatly relieved, they brought the boy home alive.
13 We went on ahead to the ship and set sail for Assos, where we were planning to take Sha’ul aboard — he had arranged this because he wanted to go there by land. 14 After he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day, we sailed from there and arrived off Chios; the following day, we crossed over to Samos; and the day after that, we reached Miletus. 16 For Sha’ul had decided to bypass Ephesus on his voyage, in order to avoid losing time in the province of Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Yerushalayim, if possible in time to celebrate Shavu‘ot.
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