Restlessness
by Maria Rudolph
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One evening, David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful (2 Samuel 11:2).
Read2 Samuel 11:1–27
King David had it all. A big palace. More than one wife. Riches. A nation at his feet. Success in battle. A good relationship with God. But somehow, David was restless.
This restlessness sent him roaming around on the roof of his palace in the middle of the night, which eventually led to adultery, deceit and murder. A slippery slope of sin begins for David. How did he go from beloved king to murderer of loyal Uriah? A mere moment of restlessness turned into a sinful thought, then into an action, and finally into deeper darkness.
All big things in our lives, and in the world, start with one small thought that turns into a small act, which then grows into a bigger and bigger thing.
This applies to bad, dark, sinful things and good, life-giving, godly things.
Paul gives great advice to the Christians in Ephesus when he says, ‘Do not give the devil a foothold’ (Ephesians 4:27). No matter how blessed we are at any given time, we are all prone to restlessness occasionally, either in real life or as we watch TV or spend time on the internet. Our eyes wander. Our minds might too. And just like that, we can find ourselves entangled in sin if we are not careful.
Paul instructs us to ‘put off [our] old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of our minds … Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:22,23,32).
Loving God, make me new. Restore me and cleanse me from within. Remind me of my baptism. In my times of restlessness, let my mind safely rest in you and in your goodness. Draw my wandering eyes back to you and your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
From rags to riches
by Maria Rudolph
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Mephibosheth bowed down and said, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’ (2 Samuel 9:8)
Read 2 Samuel 9:1–13
Before David became the esteemed king of Israel, he had a tender friendship with Jonathan, King Saul’s son. They were inseparable. In the end, Jonathan fell in the battle of Gilboa, along with his father and brothers.
Grief-stricken, David mourned him deeply (2 Samuel 1:26). When he became king, David actively sought ways to show kindness to Jonathan’s son. Crippled, disadvantaged, orphaned, at the mercy of other people’s charity due to his condition – Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth would have lived a sad life. King David showed him incredible grace: he made him the owner of much land and gave him servants to work for him for the rest of his days. He also invited him to feast at the king’s table forever.
Isn’t that exactly what Jesus has done for each of us? You and I were crippled in our sin, disadvantaged and cut off from God’s goodness. But by his grace, he adopted us as his children, gave us a seat at his table for eternity and provides for us forevermore!
What King David did for Mephibosheth, Jesus has done for us on the cross, and it has become ours through baptism. Does this astound you?
Along with Jonathan’s son, who exclaimed in surprise, ‘What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?’, we might wonder what God sees in us, to do such a great thing for us. Let us be humble like Mephibosheth today and bow our heads to Jesus and say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ (Luke 17:10b).
Merciful Jesus, you have redeemed me, you have called me by name, I am yours! Through your grace, I have become your beloved, precious child. You have even promised to me that I will feast at your table in eternity. Help me to be your worthy servant and to glorify your name now and forevermore. Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
The Messiah from the House of David
by Maria Rudolph
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‘… O Sovereign Lord, you have also spoken about the future of the house of your servant [David]. Is this your usual way of dealing with man, O Sovereign Lord?’ (2 Samuel 7:19)
Read 2 Samuel 7:18–29
A common question to ask my confirmation class is: ‘How many gospels are there and what are they called?’
‘Four! Matthew, Mark, Luke and John!’
A boy who was eager to get his hands on a Bible opened the first page of the New Testament in anticipation. He looked up with a furrowed brow and said, ‘Pastor, there’s a big, long list of names right at the beginning!’
Too right. The first page of the New Testament, Matthew, chapter 1, is chock-a-block full of complicated names. However, at a closer reading, this list of names tells us many stories, more than we could fit into one single confirmation lesson.
We learn that the Anointed One, Jesus the Messiah, God made flesh, came from a line of real people. King David himself is in that list. But having lived about one thousand years before the birth of Jesus, David had absolutely no idea what God’s ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus would look like.
God simply revealed to David, who was humbly submitting to God’s guidance:
When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring … and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:12,13).
On the one hand, David’s son Solomon would become the one to build a magnificent temple to the Lord, one that would stand for about 410 years! On the other hand, ultimately, God would bring Jesus up from the line of David, whose kingdom still stands today!
Jesus was the temple that was destroyed and built up again in three days (John 2:19) – in his resurrection. All this was beyond King David. But he simply submitted himself to God and trusted in God’s plan for his life, despite not understanding it.
Can you do the same? Hand over your plans to God, and trust him to lead you in the right paths. Check in with God to ensure you are in tune with where he wants you to go. You can’t go wrong when you seek God’s guidance – even if you can’t understand the ultimate plan. Trust God with those details.
Loving God, I seek your guidance today. Show me the right path and help me discern the direction you want me to go. I am in your hands – do with your servant as you please. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
Seeking the Lord first
by Maria Rudolph
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
He [David] said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent’ (2 Samuel 7:2).
Read 2 Samuel 7:1–17
The reason David was such a great king of Israel and Judah was that he put God first. We all know that David also had some significant slip-ups, for which he would suffer the consequences.
However, today, we see a prime example of what makes David a great role model: David considers his future in consultation with the Lord. Instead of rushing on ahead and doing what he thinks is best, his first move is to bring his ideas before God. And Nathan the prophet confirms God’s green light: ‘Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you’ (2 Samuel 7:3).
This stands in stark contrast to King Saul, who grieved God by rushing ahead according to what he thought was best (1 Samuel 15:1–31). In the end, Saul paid a high price for ignoring God: it cost him his kingship and, eventually, his life.
We are not dissimilar to King David in that we strive to follow God, and we have some significant slip-ups at times, too. Let us be encouraged today by David’s conduct in seeking God first. This requires some patient waiting on our part, usually exactly when all we want to do is rush ahead and ‘get on with it’. Be intentional like David in presenting your plans to God or God’s people; be ready to listen to what God has to say. God will guide you well.
Guide me, O my great Redeemer. Be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Not my will, but your will be done. Let me follow your way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Pastor Maria serves at St John’s Lutheran Church Perth in Western Australia. She is blessed with her pastor husband, Michael, who serves at Concordia Lutheran Church, Duncraig. With God’s help, they navigate ministry across two parishes and life at home with two beautiful primary-school-aged kids and one amazing high schooler. Pastor Maria also serves the Lutheran Church on the Commission on Theology and Inter-Church Relations.
Jesus comes looking for you
by Maria Rudolph
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For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost (Luke 19:10).
Read Luke 19:1–10
A very particular song is playing in my head every time I read the story of Zacchaeus. Maybe it’s the same for you! Children’s Bible storybooks usually include the story of the short tax collector from Jericho who scrambles to see Jesus by climbing up a sycamore fig tree.
I’ve always thought of Zacchaeus putting in effort to be with Jesus. And he probably did. But do we realise that Jesus is actually the one seeking out Zacchaeus in this story? Jesus declares in conclusion of this story that he ‘came to seek and save what was lost’.
Zacchaeus was lost – a despised tax collector who had cheated people over the years – and called a ‘sinner’ by the muttering crowd. It must have left him in despair, because he was drawn to Jesus, so much so that he ran ahead of everyone else so he could find a spot to see him. He wanted to be free of his worries. Perhaps he had gotten word that Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33), ‘Seek first God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ Zacchaeus was seeking God’s kingdom: Jesus.
But the amazing thing about Jesus is that while we are out looking for him, for an encounter with God, for spiritual enlightenment, or for some way to fill the inexplicable void inside of us, Jesus is already seeking us out! Jesus not only saves the lost, but he also seeks them first.
Jesus takes the first step and invites himself over for dinner before Zacchaeus can say anything to Jesus at all. ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last’ (John 15:16). Jesus seeking out Zacchaeus gives him a generous heart of compassion; it brings him salvation. (Luke 19:9). Jesus comes looking for you, too, bringing salvation. All you need to do is receive.
Loving God, we give thanks with a grateful heart. We give thanks for Jesus Christ. The weak can say ‘I am strong’, the poor can say ‘I am rich’, and the blind can say ‘I can see’ because of what you have done for us in Jesus. Thank you for looking for us and for finding us. Give us a receptive heart so that we can keep on coming to you, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Again and again
by Shane Altmann
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On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear (Isaiah 25:6).
Read Isaiah 25:6–9
I’m a teacher – and a talker. I’m a dominator of conversations: big voice, bad listener, always ready with a story or to over-explain something. Repeatedly.
One day, when presenting an earth-shattering truth on football, Honda cubs, the Penrith Panthers or something else for about the third time to my daughter, she cried out, ‘Dad, I got it the first time!’
‘Oh, okay. Well, why didn’t you say something?’ Eye roll.
It struck me then that I am also someone who needs feedback. ‘You have to slide the feeler gauge in until there is just a bit of friction, not too much – you don’t want it to be loose – but it also shouldn’t be hard to move.’ I offer. If I get silence, I go again. ‘Just a little bit of friction; it shouldn’t wobble …’
I need a response. ‘Oh, right, so just move it until you feel something, but not too much.’
And I’m a success – another amazing moment from the Altmannator.
Have you ever noticed that the psalms repeat themselves? That same idea, coupled again, slightly different, but repeated.
In today’s reading, God is going to make a rich feast, food filled with marrow, well-aged wines, wines strained clear. He is going to destroy the shroud that is cast, the covering that is spread. Have a look at it, read it through and notice the repetition. Then, go to your favourite psalm and look for the pattern. It is not universal, but it’s a thing.
I love that subtlety in Hebrew poetry. It’s a bit like ‘mansplaining’ but cooler.
It’s God-splaining.
Our Good Teacher, the Good Shepherd, the Lord of the Dance, the Master of the Feast, our Great Giving God of Love, he whose name is Love, reminding us again and again that he is for us, that he wants only good things for us, that he has saved us and called us by name.
And he loves it when we respond.
Lord of the Harvest, giver of our joy, thank you for preparing a table for us. Thank you for being the source of all that is good and wholesome in our lives. We remember today the faithful saints who have gone before us, and together, as your eternal church, your bride, we praise your holy name. Hallelujah! Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
Against the flow
by Shane Altmann
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel (2 Samuel 5:3).
Read 2 Samuel 5:1–12
And there you have it. In what was once considered a ridiculous appointment, or anointment, we have the elders of Israel and the king of Hebron making a covenant with David and anointing him king.
You might remember a few short years ago, Samuel went out to Bethlehem to anoint a son of Jesse. No, not the tall one or the oldest one or the strongest one, but the little one. The shepherd.
And you might recall that same shepherd, looking very awkward in the armour of King Saul, as he said, ‘Yeah – Nah!’ to Goliath. He went off and did it his own way, with a stone.
The list goes on. Once an unlikely hero, once an unlikely king. Still remembered as the greatest. And Jesus himself, descended from David’s line, from the root of Jesse.
Martin Luther once wrote, ‘Where Christ is, he always goes against the flow.’ It was on this day in 1517 (All Hallows’ Eve/Halloween), that Martin Luther nailed his 95 arguments against the corruption in the church to the door of the Castle Church.
Luther and his fellow reformers in the early 1500s went against the flow of power and authority for the sake of the gospel and for the sake of people. They risked their lives to rally against the authoritarian and unjust power of the Pope and, in so doing, re-energised Christianity in Europe. This, in turn, reformed not only the church but also set the platform for modern Europe and the western world as it exists today.
As Christians, as Lutherans, we proclaim boldly that we are God’s people, that our Lord of Love is at work in this world, both redeeming and serving all people. It’s a powerful message. It goes against the flow of an increasingly secular society, but it remains the truth.
‘Where Christ is, he always goes against the flow.’
Always.
A lot is going on in the world at the moment. As we remember both the anointing of King David and the birth of the Reformation, this is a pretty good lens to lay over it.
Lord Jesus, thank you for meeting us in unlikely places. Thank you for being counter-cultural, and thank you for being for us, with us, Immanuel. Thank you for raising people up to do your work in the world. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with you. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
The day before
by Shane Altmann
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After this David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?’ The Lord said to him, ‘Go up.’ David said, ‘To which shall I go up?’ He said, ‘To Hebron’ (2 Samuel 2:1).
Read 2 Samuel 2:1–11
Have you ever wondered what Martin Luther was doing on 30 October? We all know what happens on 31 October, right? But I wonder what he was thinking on the 30th. I suppose he was finishing off his 95 arguments, or maybe he had 92 and then tried to go to sleep, but kept waking up with another one. Probably fell asleep sometime around midnight. Woke again at 2am. You know the drill.
Or maybe he had the 95 theses lying around for ages, wondering, ‘Should I, shouldn’t I?’ Maybe he was pondering what to do and rummaging through the Old Testament and stumbled upon today’s Bible reading.
Or maybe it went something like this: And Luther inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go up into any of the churches in town?’ And the Lord said to him, ‘Go up.’ Luther said, ‘To which shall I go up?’ He said, ‘To the Castle Church.’
Maybe. The rest is history, in any case.
It’s fun to think about. Certainly, Luther was a very gifted scholar, a talented musician, a brave and stubborn human and a man with a determined heart for God. A bit like David. Luther had his flaws like David, but that stuff doesn’t stop God.
God doesn’t need any of us to be amazing humans, brave battle-hardy leaders or university-trained medieval theologians. He just needs us to be.
Through God’s Spirit, in the water and the word, he works faith into our hearts. By his word and through his gracious action towards us, he strengthens and preserves us through the bread and the wine.
He is active, he is for us, and we say Hallelujah and Amen!
Lord Jesus, you were there when David slew Goliath, when he won victories in battle and when he ascended to the throne of Judah. Holy Spirit, you were there when Luther wondered what to do, when he prepared the spark that lit the world. Loving Father, you are with us even now. Bless us as we ponder; show us the way. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.
That was a bit mean
by Shane Altmann
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Then David called one of the young men and said, ‘Come here and strike him down.’ So he struck him down, and he died (2 Samuel 1:15).
Read 2 Samuel 1:1–16
I feel like David wasn’t very fair to that bloke, the young man, the Amalekite, you know, the one he had killed for bringing him the crown and the armlet. The one who put Saul out of his misery and basically created the space for David to be king. That guy.
‘You what?’ says David, ‘You killed Saul! Right. Kill him.’
Hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on, woah, what about the …
Gone.
I mean, the guy was there, Saul was dying, he pleads for him to kill him, Saul’s having convulsions and can’t die, probably from falling on his own sword. It’s messy. The guy does him a favour and, instead of taking off, brings the tokens of office to David and calls him ‘my lord’. He had a right to feel aggrieved by the sense of injustice there in his last moments.
But not King David. You don’t mess with Davo and the Big Fella Upstairs. Saul was God’s anointed, and regardless of what he thought of Saul, David was a man after God’s own heart. He had his own opportunity to kill the treacherous and selfish king in a cave but didn’t – he wouldn’t harm the Lord’s anointed one (1 Samuel 24:6).
It wasn’t about Saul – it was about God.
But then there was the Bathsheba thing, and the murder of Uriah.
What is going on with David? Why did God favour him so much, when one minute David was writing beautiful psalms, the next minute killing someone, one minute dancing for the Lord, the next minute committing adultery? He claimed to love God, but it feels like he kept putting himself first. Why did God even bother with him …?
Wait! What?
Oh.
Right.
It’s not about David, it’s about God.
God searches the heart, a heart in which he installs the very faith itself that connects us to his grace. We are saved by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8,9 reminds us of our complete reliance on God, ‘… and this is not from yourselves so that no-one can boast.’
It’s always God’s work. Even our faith is a gift from God.
Good God of Giving, Lord of Life, thank you for our faith. Thank you for being the source and foundation of all that is good in our lives and our relationship with you. Thank you for your redeeming love. Move your Holy Spirit in our hearts and through your church to bring us closer to you each day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Shane Altmann is the principal of Faith Lutheran College Redlands in Queensland and has served in education for more than 35 years. Married to Monica and father of two children, Harry and Zoe, Shane has learnt that he is largely helpless without the love and support of the people with whom he lives and works. A pilgrim of multiple Caminos de Santiago, a Penrith Panthers tragic and a restorer of old stuff, Shane loves a project and, when he is able, fills his days tinkering with something.