Watch the Devotion

Based on Luke 13:1-9

Twenty-two years ago this week, our nation’s military began Operation Iraqi Freedom. Too many of our war fighters returned home in flag-draped coffins. For some, as their remains were lowered into the ground, surrounded by family and friends, members of a church from Topeka, Kan., stood with signs that said, “Thank God for dead soldiers” and chanted, “God is visiting the sins upon America by killing their kids with IEDs.”

This year we will observe the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. When that storm struck the area of New Orleans, some Christian pastors and leaders appeared on national radio and TV to say: “The destruction from this storm is God’s judgment on the United States of America.”

How are we as Christians to respond to this—that natural disasters and war are evidence of God’s direct judgment on a specific nation or a specific group of people?

But when we witness natural disasters, accidents, wars, or other unusual ways that people suffer and die, we cannot speak for God and say, “This is his divine judgment.” We cannot speak where God has not spoken.

In Luke 13:1-9, Jesus rejects the popular opinion of his day (and of ours!) that unusual suffering and death comes to those who are worse sinners than others: “Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish” (verses 4,5).

Jesus teaches us to be ready for our death. It is inevitable. We do not know when, where, or how we will depart from this earth, but we know that because our bodies are so corrupted with sin, they are subject to decay, disease, and death. We will die. But Jesus teaches us that when we see and hear about natural disasters or war or unusual suffering and death, we need to repent.

To repent means to change your mind about your sin; your personal, self-serving desires and passions; and your pride and anger and greed. You then confess: “These offend my holy God. These do harm to my neighbor. And for them I sincerely am sorry.” So repent! Turn away from those sins and turn then to Christ, and see that he is patient, loving, and forgiving. Repent! Turn to Christ and see that his perfect life of love covers over all your sin. Stand before your holy God, no more condemned but pardoned, because of Christ Jesus.

When you see natural disasters, when you hear of people suffering or dying, when you hear about wars and rumors of wars, understand that your patient God is giving you an opportunity to repent. Your patient God is giving you time to think about your death. The when, where, and how it will happen does not matter. What does matter is that you know that you are forgiven. Know that you are loved. Know that Christ Jesus will do what he promised you in your baptism. In Baptism you have already died and have been raised again. You will live, just as he does.

Prayer:

Lord, it is a difficult thing for a Christian to serve in our nation’s military. So much of their time pulls them away from time spent in your Word. So much of the culture entices them away from your life-giving Word. So many carry the guilt of what they have done or left undone. Restore them. Assure them that you are a patient and forgiving God. Point them to your cross and proclaim forgiveness for them. Help Christians who serve in our nation’s military to be a light to those around them, so that others may see and believe and trust in you, the one true God, our Savior. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.