“Therefore, get your minds ready for action by being fully sober, and set your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Like obedient children, do not comply with the evil urges you used to follow in your ignorance, but, like the Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, for it is written, “You shall be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13 – 16

“The core of the analysis of Jesus is that man is a child of God, the God of life that sustains all of nature and guarantees all the intricacies of the life-process itself. Jesus suggests that it is quite unreasonable to assume that God, whose creative activity is expressed even in such details as the hairs of a man’s head, would exclude from his concern the life, the vital spirit, of the man himself. This idea—that God is mindful of the individual—is of tremendous import in dealing with fear as a disease. In this world the socially disadvantaged man is constantly given a negative answer to the most important personal questions upon which mental health depends: “Who am I? What am I?” The first question has to do with a basic self-estimate, a profound sense of belonging, of counting. If a man feels that he does not belong in the way in which it is perfectly normal for other people to belong, then he develops a deep sense of insecurity.” (Howard Thurman. Jesus and the Disinherited (p. 49). Beacon Press. Kindle Edition.)

When we think of the followers of Jesus, we think “What a joy it must have been to be in the presence of Jesus”. How quickly or conveniently we forget that most of the twelve original disciples died for their relationship with Jesus and the ministry they were called to in His name. Their closeness with Jesus did not bring them everlasting, outward peace. Even when they were originally called by Jesus, they did not go on to easy lives filled with roses and sunshine. The disciples experienced the length and breadth of fear, terror, doubt, questioning, arguing, and loneliness. Many of them were outsiders before being called and would have fought that stigma throughout their ministry. But in the midst of all of the fear and doubt — their hope was in Jesus, strengthened by the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Howard Thurman writes: “The core of the analysis of Jesus is that man is a child of God” In other words, Jesus does not forsake us. Ture, I have witnessed those who, in their life experiences turn away from G-d at the first sign of trial or tribulation. When times get tough they believe G-d has abandoned them. They turn away from G-d because they believe that faith brings only comfort and peace. They are like the seed that is planted in shallow soil, once they are inflicted with the heat of the day, their faith withers and dies.

The Grace of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is most fully understood when the soil in which it is planted is good. If it is Good Soil, if it is planted in soil that has been enriched by G-d’s word, presence, love, mercy and grace, then the tribulations and the heat of the day will not whither the believer. My friends, G-d does not forsake us, but not every day will be sunny and warm. There will be times of famine, times of floods and times of scorching heat. The stronger our faith soil, the richer our faith will be, sustained by the Holy Spirit, and empowered with G-d’s Word and Sacraments.

Pastor Dave