by Janette Lange
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We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty (Luke 17:10b).
Read Luke 17:5–10
Everyone wants to be the boss. That’s at the heart of the human condition. I certainly don’t enjoy others telling me what to do – you’re probably the same. So, who wants to be the servant? No-one! It’s one of the reasons we find the image of the master and the servant in this reading so challenging.
Even when it comes to applying this image to our relationship with God, we might acknowledge that this is fitting but still bristle against it. No-one wants to be the servant; everyone wants to be God. The world encourages us to set ourselves up as gods of our own lives. It says we should create our own narratives, answer to no-one, do what is right for us and be true to ourselves. We can fall into this trap even as Christians.
The reading reminds us that we are not God, and we should stop trying to be. After all, we’re not really cut out for it. Are we all-powerful, all-knowing and present everywhere? Are we slow to anger, quick to forgive and all-loving? Do we have power over life and death? Are we able to save the world? Or the church? Or even ourselves? No, our role is to be the servant and trust that God knows what he is doing.
This isn’t a burden; this is actually a freedom. Freed from trying to be God and the burden of solving the world’s problems for him, we can focus on what God is actually calling us to do. In past times, the master would ensure that the servants had everything they needed for life. Likewise, God provides us with everything we need for life in all its fullness and for service in his kingdom. Daily provision, forgiveness of sins, salvation, his indwelling Spirit – we want for nothing.
Then he calls us to serve him – and with him – so that we can help bring his love, compassion and good news to a hurting world. And if we are ever unsure of what we should be doing as a servant, we need only look to our Lord Jesus Christ – the greatest servant of all.
Servant King, you thought nothing of humbling yourself and giving your life for us. Forgive us for the times we put ourselves first, and place in us a servant heart. Please help us to offer our lives freely and gladly in service to you and those around us. Amen.
Janette is a member of Glynde Zion congregation, a vibrant multicultural faith community in suburban Adelaide. She works as an archivist and translator of German historical documents. In her free time, Janette enjoys reading, solving cryptic crosswords, learning languages, travelling, researching family history and relaxing in her garden. Thanks to her husband’s influence, she now enjoys watching Formula 1 and golf.
by Glenn Crouch
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Trust in the Lord and do good (Psalm 37:3a).
Is it not wonderful that the Bible so frequently deals with our anxiety? We are often told not to be afraid and encouraged to be courageous. David begins this psalm by encouraging us not to fall into the traps of worry and envy (verse 1) and instead to put our trust in the Lord (verse 3).
When we place our trust in the Lord, our response is to do good (verse 3) and to delight in him (verse 4). If we are trusting in the Lord and delighting in him, then the ‘desires of our heart’ will be for his will to be done – and he will grant that (verse 4). This is not something we do half-heartedly. We are committed to the Lord because he is committed to us (verses 5 and 6).
In today’s busy world, we need to be reminded to stop! Waiting and having patience are not things that come easily to us. We need to delight in God’s creation that surrounds us; to marvel at all he has done for us through our Lord Jesus. He is faithful. He is worthy of our trust. So we need to stop and patiently wait. Keep our focus on him, not on others (verse 7).
As Jesus tells us (Matthew 5:21,22 and Matthew 6:25–33), we are not good with anger or worry. These things lead us into dark areas away from our Lord (verse 8). Trust that our God is just, and evil will not be left unchecked (verse 9). It is for the Lord to determine the time – not us (verse 7).
This is our hope – that all that is promised has been achieved through our Lord Jesus. He is worthy of our trust!
Great and merciful God, thank you for all that you have done for me through my Lord Jesus. Through your Holy Spirit, please help me to be patient, to be still and to wait. Let me not focus on the ways of the world but rather keep my focus on the cross of my Saviour. In his mighty name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying regular video chats with their first grandchild.
A good start
by Glenn Crouch
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[Saul was] accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched (1 Samuel 10:26b).
Read 1 Samuel 10:17–27
Previously, I mentioned my reluctance to become a pastor. I realised the responsibilities involved, and they were not ones I wanted. I was comfortable being a youth worker and an occasional preacher. We don’t see any evidence of Saul desiring to be king. He did not ask for it – instead, we could say that it was thrust upon him.
In the passage today, we see Saul being publicly declared to be the king of Israel. Remember, this was not to replace Samuel, but to replace God himself. Yet, the Lord gives the people what they insist upon. But, as they narrow down the selection, Saul is not to be found. I can relate to Saul hiding from this responsibility. Think about all we’ve seen as we’ve followed Saul this week – he is not someone planning a dynasty. His reluctance to take the crown is the sort of quality we want in our leaders.
After Samuel reminds the people of the rights and duties of kingship, he gives them a written copy and sends them home. What probably seems weird is that in verse 26, Saul also goes home, which seems a tad anticlimactic. We also see that God has blessed Saul with the company of ‘valiant men whose hearts God has touched’ (verse 26). What a wonderful gift for the new king. As verse 27 shows, there is already trouble brewing.
The story of Saul starts well. I’m sure many readers will know how it proceeds (if not, then keep reading 1 Samuel). May we learn from Saul that it is good to be humble and dependent on the Lord, and to follow the Spirit as he leads us.
Pray for our leaders.
Father Almighty, grant us the gift of good leadership. Surround our leaders with those who give wise counsel and help them to stay humble. Burden my heart so that I keep all those who have authority over me in my prayers to you. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying regular video chats with their first grandchild.
The Spirit changes us
by Glenn Crouch
The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person (1 Samuel 10:6).
Read 1 Samuel 10:1–16
We have a bit going on in this passage today. A collection of specific signs is given to Saul that would assure him that the Lord was truly behind the anointing. We see God being faithful to the words delivered through Samuel.
When thinking of signs, I recall the modern tale of the man opening the Bible randomly to discover God’s will. It opened to ‘Judas went and hung himself’ (Matthew 27:5). Worried, he tried again: ‘Go and do likewise’ (Luke 10:37). And then for a third time: ‘Whatever you are about to do, do quickly’ (John 13:27). This is not to deny that God, at times, gives us signs, but we need to be careful we are not taking a ‘fortune cookie’ approach to our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Signs can be tricky, especially when we ask for them – Saul didn’t ask for them. Unlike Saul, we have been blessed with the most awesome sign of all – the cross of Jesus. We know for sure that God loves us and is for us.
It is the coming of the Spirit that changes Saul (verse 6). In verse 9, we see that God changed his heart. Real change that changes each of us into the person we were meant to be comes via the Spirit of God.
Is there someone who needs their heart changed by the Spirit? Pray for that to happen.
Gracious Father, I ask that your Spirit continue to work upon my heart. Grant me the strength and courage to face the changes that I need. Thank you for the cross of your dear Son and for the assurance it gives me that I am your dear child. In his name, I pray. Amen.
Glenn is the pastor of St John’s Lutheran Church in Esperance and looks after St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kalgoorlie–Boulder, Western Australia. Glenn and Karen have been married since 1985. They have two grown sons and are enjoying regular video chats with their first grandchild.