Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries by Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour "The Blind See" for Friday, August 4, 2017
Luke 6:39 - He (Jesus) also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?"A number of years ago I had the opportunity to work at a retreat for children who were blind.
The experience brought me into contact with some youngsters who were exceptional. That being said, there were a few students who were remarkably exceptional. I say they were remarkable because these children had an uncanny sense of direction and a memory that left the average person in the dust. It seemed once these kids had become acquainted with a place, they could remember it for a good long time.
On the street, they could remember stores and steps and breaks in the sidewalk. In a room, they could recall the placement of tables, chairs, wastebaskets, and microphone stands. Unbelievable!
A few years ago, I heard about a blind adult who possessed similar skills.
The man had lived in a small town his entire life and had developed a pretty good sense of where he was. With his cane touching sidewalk, fence, tree, and curb, he could navigate just about anywhere. One day, at the time this man normally was headed home, his pastor saw him walking in the other direction.
When the pastor asked the man where he was going, the blind man affirmed, "I'm headed home." It took some doing before the pastor was able to convince the man that each step he made was taking him farther from his destination. Eventually, the man who could not see believed the man who could. He got turned around and began to walk towards home.
That story, my friends, is a pretty good example of what Lutheran Hour Ministries and your Synod and your own congregation are trying to do.
You see, we're surrounded by people who are pretty spectacular. Many of these folk are good individuals. Some of them have brilliant minds, and a fair number of them are just plain and simple people, who are kind and caring. Most of them are confident, having shown an ability to deal competently with many of the problems that come their way.
Sadly, many of these folks, without knowing the Savior, are blind. They are spiritually blind, and they are headed the wrong way. Most of them don't know their headed the wrong direction, and the majority have convinced themselves they know exactly where they're going -- and how they're going to get there.
No, they don't know their headed the wrong direction, but we do. And just like that pastor in the story, it is our job to try and point them in the right direction and set their foot on the proper path, which leads to heaven. It is our duty to show them the Savior who is not just the Light of the world; He is theLight to those are spiritually in the dark.
Now these self-sufficient folks can be pretty proud, and it may take some serious commitment on our parts to reach them. Indeed, there may even be those times when we will fail to set them right. Even so, we have to try.
We have to try because when you can see that is what you do for those who are blind.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the hymn talks about how once I was blind, but now, by the Holy Spirit's direction, I can see. May I gladly share the Savior's blessing of salvation with those who are spiritually blind. Then, by Your grace, may they be turned and be headed to the home the Savior has prepared for them. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible in a Year Reading: Psalms 123-125; 2 Thessalonians 3
Psalms 123:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) I raise my eyes to you,
whose throne is in heaven.
2 As a servant looks to the hand of his master,
or a slave-girl to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes turn to Adonai our God,
until he has mercy on us.
3 Have mercy on us, Adonai, have mercy;
for we have had our fill of contempt,
4 more than our fill of scorn from the complacent
and contempt from the arrogant.
124:1 (0) A song of ascents. By David:
(1) If Adonai hadn’t been for us —
let Isra’el repeat it —
2 If Adonai hadn’t been for us
when people rose to attack us,
3 then, when their anger blazed against us,
they would have swallowed us alive!
4 Then the water would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us.
5 Yes, the raging water
would have swept right over us.
6 Blessed be Adonai, who did not leave us
to be a prey for their teeth!
7 We escaped like a bird from the hunter’s trap;
the trap is broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of Adonai,
the maker of heaven and earth.
125:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) Those who trust in Adonai
are like Mount Tziyon,
which cannot be moved
but remains forever.
2 Yerushalayim!
Mountains all around it!
Thus Adonai is around his people
henceforth and forever.
3 For the scepter of wickedness
will not rule the inheritance of the righteous,
so that the righteous will not themselves
turn their hands to evil.
4 Do good, Adonai, to the good,
to those upright in their hearts.
5 But as for those who turn aside
to their own crooked ways,
may Adonai turn them away,
along with those who do evil.
Shalom on Isra’el!
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and receive honor, just as it did with you; 2 and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has trust. 3 But the Lord is worthy of trust; he will make you firm and guard you from the Evil One. 4 Yes, united with the Lord we are confident about you, that you are doing the things we are telling you to do, and that you will keep on doing them. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and the perseverance which the Messiah gives.
6 Now, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we command you, brothers, to stay away from any brother who is leading a life of idleness, a life not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you must imitate us, that we were not idle when we were among you. 8 We did not accept anyone’s food without paying; on the contrary, we labored and toiled, day and night, working so as not to be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not that we hadn’t the right to be supported, but so that we could make ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if someone won’t work, he shouldn’t eat! 11 We hear that some of you are leading a life of idleness — not busy working, just busybodies! 12 We command such people — and in union with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we urge them — to settle down, get to work, and earn their own living. 13 And you brothers who are doing what is good, don’t slack off! 14 Furthermore, if anyone does not obey what we are saying in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed. 15 But don’t consider him an enemy; on the contrary, confront him as a brother and try to help him change.
16 Now may the Lord of shalom himself give you shalom always in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.
17 The greeting in my own handwriting: From Sha’ul. This is the mark of genuineness in every letter, this is what my handwriting looks like.
18 The grace of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah be with you all.
-------Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
CHANGE THEIR WORLD. CHANGE YOURS.
THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.
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