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Based on Matthew 16:13-20

Who is Jesus? That was the topic of discussion I had with a young US Army Soldier. He had studied the world religions—Islam, Christianity, Hinduism—and concluded that Jesus was a good teacher, a moral example, but not Savior. 

“Who do people say I am?” Jesus asked his disciples. They shared the whisperings they heard as they mingled with the crowds and listened in the marketplaces, “One of the prophets from old, raised from the dead.” This was nothing new. Jesus dealt with false assumptions about his identity since he walked this earth.  

For some, Jesus is a cheerleader who will affirm whatever it is they want to do in life. For others, he is the “giver of bling,” a genie who will grant them whatever their heart desires. For some, he is a teacher, a moral guide to follow and somehow earn their way to heaven. And others will look at the pluralistic religious environment in which they live and determine, “He is one of many ways to heaven.” But if that’s all Jesus is, why follow him at all?  

This is the question you and I and everyone needs to answer, “Who is Jesus?”   

When the disciples answered as they had heard from crowds, he asked them, “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of living God” (Matthew 16:16). How did he come to that conclusion? He listened, he watched, he read the Old Testament promises and compared them with this man before him and concluded—and believed—“This is the Son of God, the Savior for the world, but more importantly, for me.”  

Yes, my friend, Jesus is more than just a good teacher, for his teachings give life, because they are living words, life-giving words. Jesus’ words give rescue from death. He is more than an example, for we could never perfectly follow it. But the life he lived, he lived for us, for you. Who is Jesus? He is the life, the truth, the way, the one upon whom the Church is built. His is the name which saves you. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

When you have those spiritual and religious conversations, please redirect the convo back to the question, “Who is Jesus?” And then listen. Be patient. Seek to understand. And then confess, “Can I share with you what I know to be true about Jesus? He is the eternal Son of God, who lived for me, died for me, and rose from the dead for me, to give me life eternal, and he has for you, too.”

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the eternal Son of God, our promised Messiah, and our only Savior. Thank you for living the perfect life we could not live, dying for our sins, and rising again to give us eternal life. Strengthen the faith of Christian war fighters to confess you boldly and lovingly whenever opportunities arise. Give them patient hearts to listen, compassionate words to speak, and confidence that your life-giving gospel is the power that saves. Keep us all steadfast in the truth that you are our Lord, now and forever. 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.

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Based on Ephesians 2:13-22

When have you felt like an outsider? Some of you have shared with me stories about the times you’ve been embedded with locals, in a country on the other side of the world. Or times when you’ve sat down with tribal leaders. Veterans have shared stories about their transition from active duty to the civilian side and while working and living among civilians, they look around and say, “These aren’t my people. I don’t feel like I belong.” As a civilian, I’ve often felt that way when giving an invocation at a military ceremony or leading a Bible study or worship service surrounded by people in uniform, I say to myself, “I do not belong here.”  

But the place I most often feel that way is in the presence of my almighty, holy God. Do you ever feel that way? Whether you are sitting in the pew at church or at home in prayer and devotion, it happens often that I do not feel that I belong there. As I reflect on his Word that I hear and read, his Word convicts my conscience. At times I have been lax in my vocations in the way I fail to love and serve others. I do not belong around them or my God.     

Then Jesus reminds me and you, “Yes, you do belong here. For you are a sinner in desperate need of forgiveness, but that does not exclude you from belonging to me and with me.” The one before whom we stand provides just that: belonging. He brings us in. Listen to his Word from the apostle Paul:

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. . . .Consequently, you are no longer   foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Ephesians 2:13,19-22)   

My friend, when you sit in church, or at your kitchen table, or lie in bed with folded hands, know this: you belong. Christ has given his blood, the guiltless to make the guilty innocent, the holy one to make the unclean blameless, the priceless one makes us mortals immortal. We who were outsiders, foreigners, aliens, strangers, he makes you and me his friends, his brother and sister, a son and daughter to his Father in heaven, now and forever. Yes, you belong because of Christ Jesus.   

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we confess that because of our sins we deserve to be strangers to you and unworthy to stand in your presence. Yet in your great mercy you sent your Son, Jesus Christ, whose holy life and precious blood have brought us near to you. Thank you for making us members of your family, citizens of your kingdom, and heirs of eternal life. When guilt or loneliness makes our nation’s war fighters and veterans feel like outsiders, remind them that they belong to you because of Christ alone. In his name we pray. 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.

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Based on Romans 8:28-39

Our daughter got married last month, and someone was missing at that wedding. Our son-in-law’s younger brother could not attend. He is currently in school, training to be a diver for the Navy, and of course, he had training that weekend. My brother-in-law who serves in the US Army had to report to his new duty station that weekend, and he missed the wedding celebration. That’s hard for a family and for the war fighter who signed up to give their entire life in service to their country.  

Separation. This is a common theme I hear when I listen to war fighters who are deployed or in school. When I was in Korea and Okinawa in June, I asked our Soldiers and Marines, “What’s been the thing that you struggle with the most?” Separation. Missing out on weddings, birthdays, the birth of a child, anniversaries, funerals—one naval officer missed his son’s high school graduation in Japan this spring.  

The other answer I receive is this: “We miss church. Yes, we can watch online, but it’s not the same. We miss being in person with our church family.”      

There is another side of separation that I think applies here. As a war fighter, especially one who has experienced trauma or moral injury, symptoms of depression and anxiety can create a separation in the relationships you have; sometimes it’s a past tense “had.” That’s difficult.

As you think about all these types of separation, the Apostle Paul asks the question that we need to ask, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Romans 8:35). Now, the Apostle Paul isn’t implying that your other relationships aren’t important. They are important. But isn’t the most important relationship that we can have with Christ, our Savior? When we experience deep separation from family, from major life events, from church family, it helps to know where we stand with him.  

Paul answers the question for us: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38,39).

You will miss major life events. Your heart will ache because many miles and circumstances isolate you from others who love you. But there is no distance, no circumstance, no military order that can keep Christ from being present with you, nor can it keep him from loving you.  

He is there with you right now as you listen to these words. He has promised it. He is with your loved ones and friends. He promises it. He loves them. He loves you. The proof is that he chose to be separated from God his Father on the cross so that you might never know separation from God.  

When you feel that you are missing God’s presence in your life, pick up this book. Open up to Romans chapter 8 and read it out loud. And listen. God speaks to your heart. God makes his love known to you in Christ. God is present. Nothing can separate you from his love for you.  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, when our war fighters and their families and friends are lonely, be present as you promise. Make your love known to them as they open your Word to hear you speak peace and love and forgiveness to them. Reunite all war fighters with their families in your good time. Keep them connected to you, the one who did not allow even death to come between you and your love for them. In your name I pray. 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.

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Based on Ephesians 1:4-6

At the time of this recording, I first learned the names of the four US Soldiers who gave their lives in service to our country: Sgt. Michael Swinton, Sgt. Angel Rampersad, 1st Lt. Tyler Feehan, Pfc. Isabella Gonzales.  

Combat, war, death, physical wounds, the unseen wounds of trauma and moral injury—these are all evidence of the presence of the devil at work in our world, and the influence of sin on the hearts of sinful people who want to kill and destroy.  

During times like this, you wonder, and you ask God questions, “How am I to trust you when there is no guarantee that I will make it home from deployment in one piece or alive at all? How am I to trust you when I have prayed to come home, and we continue to be extended indefinitely? How am I to trust you when my loved one or friend is downrange and life is falling apart around me?”     

When you wonder if God cares for you, when you question his love for you, when you believe Satan’s lie that God is not capable to provide or protect you. . .then ask, “What does God say in times like this?”  

Listen to these truths from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” (Ephesians 1:4-6).    

Before God created the world, he decided in his heart that he would choose you to be saved. In time he made that election and calling certain at your baptism. Baptized in water and the Word, he adopted you into his family. You are his son or daughter, for now and for eternity. He did all of this in Christ, that is, because of what Jesus Christ has done for you. He was blameless and holy for you. He shed his blood for you. He loved you. And so, God chose you in Christ. 

War and combat, injury of mind and soul, grief and sorrow, not even death can change this truth: You are chosen in Christ. Therefore, you are his son. You are his daughter. You are the object of his love, in life and in death.    

Prayer:

Father, your thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are your ways our ways. In your wisdom you have allowed the terrors of war to strike the families of these four Soldiers who died in service to our country. Do not let their sacrifice be in vain. Comfort those who grieve with the sure promise of the resurrection from the dead. Send your holy angels to protect our war fighters while they are training and actively engaged in combat. Bring peace to this region of the world so that we may live in peace. 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.

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Based on Colossians 3:1,2

I read a recent news article that outlined the discussions between the Senate Armed Services Committee, House Appropriations Committee and Congress and how they are looking at a proposed tiered military pay raise. In my honest opinion I don’t think you are paid enough for what you do, especially knowing how food insecurity can be an issue especially among junior enlisted, barracks conditions, housing affordability, issues with BAH and BAS, costs with PCS moves and quality of life challenges. I know that Congress has been trying to address these issues. The current disagreement is whether pay increases should focus on those facing the greatest financial challenges—which are junior enlisted—or should be distributed evenly. I don’t know the answer.  

What I do know is that a lot of you did not join our nation’s military to become wealthy. Some of you joined because you want to serve. Others joined for the ability to pay for continuing education later in life. Still others joined to learn skills in a vocation that would transition well into the civilian world. Even though you didn’t join the military to become wealthy, you can still fall into one of these two ditches when it comes to money and wealth. The one ditch is that you trust too much in your wealth, when you look to your wealth as your security. The other ditch is despair when it appears that you are not receiving your daily bread.  

This is why Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer, specifically the fourth petition. When we pray, “Give us today our daily bread,” we trust our Father to do just that: Father, give us what you promise! And we will rest content with what he so graciously provides us. Part of that petition includes prayers for your government, which provides your housing and food, and so we pray for wisdom for our leaders.  

Out of all the temptations Jesus warns us about, he focuses the most on wealth and money, because he knows what a trap the love of money can be for his people.  

Today, he calls us to repent, and then to look to Christ who never fell into either ditch. He rested perfectly contented in his Father’s ability to provide. This is your true treasure, your true wealth: Christ Jesus. Earthly wealth comes and goes, but forgiveness—the cancellation of all your debt to God—the resurrection from the dead, life eternal, the strength to continue here on this earth until that day comes, that is priceless.  

Listen to the Apostle Paul’s encouragement in Colossians 3:1,2, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ. . . set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”   

Keep Christ in your hearts as your most prized possession.  

Prayer:

Father, you provide all that we need for our bodies. Help us to trust you to do what you promise us. Move us to seek the greater treasures you pour out on us in your Word, our baptisms, your Holy Supper, so that we might obtain Christ, our greatest wealth. Provide for our service members so that they are never in want. Grant wisdom to our Congress and our president as they work on a budget that will adequately support all ranks of war fighters in our nation’s military. We trust in you, through Jesus. 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.

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Based on 1 Timothy 6:11-16

What are you willing to fight for? When you signed the dotted line, you said to the country, “I am willing to fight for you, for justice, for freedom; I am willing to fight against all enemies foreign and domestic.” And I thank you for that.  

Take that same willingness and apply it to your spiritual life. What are you willing to fight for? In a letter to another pastor the apostle Paul commands Timothy, “Fight the good fight of the faith.” The faith, the trust, and belief in the truth that Jesus Christ is God and man, the faith in the truth that he lived a righteous life, that he truly died, that he rose from the dead—the faith that he did this for you, so that you, by believing, by having faith in this truth, might “take hold of the eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:12).   

How is your faith fight? Whether you perceive it or not, you are engaged in a fight, a wrestling match, combat if you will, every single day of your life. This fracas is against the lie from Satan that it is just not worth your time or effort, the lie that you can get after it later, the lie that it is not as important as all the other things you have going on in your life, as relationships, your wealth and finances, your physical health, what you do on leave or liberty. The truth is that all those things suffer when we don’t fight the good fight of the faith.  

The apostle Paul reassures Pastor Timothy and you, where you and I have become apathetic or disinterested in our fight, Jesus fought the good fight for us. Paul points us to a skirmish that shows Jesus’ persistence. “While testifying before Pontius Pilate [Jesus] made the good confession” (1 Timothy 6:13).  

My fellow fighters, when the battle is long, when you are weary, when you have lapsed, flee to Christ and see your failures pardoned in Christ’s persistent faith.  

Then stand on your feet and get ready to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). Fight the good fight of the faith until Jesus appears and you may rest from your struggle.  

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, the fight for my faith in you is fierce and I am often weary. Sometimes I am lazy. Forgive me. Restore me by the strength of your forgiveness. Renew in me the desire to daily put on the armor of God so that I might fight against the lies of the devil with the truths you have taught me. Cause me to stand firm so that I might help others fight the good fight of the faith in you. 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.

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Based on Isaiah 55:10-11

When I visited the Republic of Korea last month, I met with Jim Brandt and his wife Kathy. They live in Thailand and are part of the Asia-Oceania Team. Part of their responsibilities are to plant house churches. Jim mentors and coaches over 700 groups who gather around Word and Sacrament in the Asia-Oceania region. That’s incredible! Over 700 groups of people who want to grow in the promises of Jesus and who are going out with those promises of Jesus.  

It’s incredible because this is how God first planted faith in your heart. For some of you, it was at your baptism. Through water and his Word, the Holy Spirit planted the seed of faith in your heart so that you believe Jesus has saved you from death, from sin, from the devil, and has saved you for eternal life. For others, it was a friend, family member or stranger who shared the good news of Jesus with you. Through that Word the Holy Spirit planted the seed in your heart.  

What does all of this have to do with WELS Ministry to the Military? Sometimes military members retire and stay in the area of their last duty station. That is true for at least one individual right here in the Republic of Korea. He will retire this year and remain here. He is already being trained through the Friends Network. He is already working with Great Light Lutheran Church in Seoul. He wants to sow the seed of the gospel among fellow US service members and the ROK Army Soldiers.  

I am not saying that you need to up and move to Asia to do this work. God has put you right where you are for a very specific purpose. Plant the seed of the gospel wherever God has planted you. Whether that’s in the barracks, on base housing or off base/post housing, at the range, in the schoolhouse or downrange – grow in that life-giving and life-sustaining Word that has been planted in you. And then go. Go and plant the seed of the gospel and let God do the work.  

Listen to God’s promise through Isaiah: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for eater, so is my Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11) . 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I pray for all our military service members and their families. You often plant them in unique settings where civilians cannot go. Send your Holy Spirit to them through your Word and Sacrament. Cause them to be firmly planted in your promises. Then make them faithful planters of your seed. Cause it to grow according to your good purpose. 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.

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Based on Psalm 33:12 

When my wife and I traveled to the Republic of Korea last month we toured the DMZ. On that tour we had the privilege of meeting a man who had served in the North Korean Army for 10 years. He eventually escaped and defected, making his way to South Korea. He explained the deplorable living conditions and the oppressive nature of the North Korean government. But to see the joy on his face as he described the freedoms he now enjoyed living in South Korea – a free man!  

That freedom he enjoys here in South Korea are because of brave men from our United States military that fought for that freedom. That sacrifice by our US military is not lost in the hearts of South Koreans.  

This is the way it has always been in these United States of America. There have always been brave men and women who have been willing to stand up and fight for independence and freedom. And 250 years later, here we are.  

This weekend I’d like to challenge you. First, find a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Read it out loud. It will only take you five minutes. If you have additional 40 minutes, I’d encourage you to find a copy of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights and read them out loud. As you do, pause and think about how the Lord of creation, the Lord of lords and King of kings directs the affairs of the nations, even this one, so that we are where we are right now, in this place in history.  

The second thing I’m asking you to do is to read Psalm 33. I’ll focus on verse twelve: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.”

Some will look at this passage and say that we as Christians need to make this nation into a Christian nation. That would be incorrect. When we read Scripture we hear God tell us that we are Christians who happen to live here, in the United States of America.  

The nation that God speaks of in Psalm 33 is you. You are the nation of God. You are the people of God. You are citizens of his kingdom, bought with his blood, purchased and won by him, and brought into his kingdom. You are the inheritance he has chosen. And just happen to live in this awesome nation where we enjoy all of these freedoms.  

That’s who you are. You are the nation of God. You belong to an eternal nation won by the victory of Christ. You are his inheritance.  

Let’s celebrate the nation, THE nation, God’s kingdom, in which we live, while we celebrate the 250 years of the United States of America.

Prayer:

Lord of the nations, we bow before you in humility as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. Because of your providence and grace the United States of America is a place where your people may live in peace and proclaim your truths publicly without fear of retribution. Grant your wisdom to our leaders so that your Church may flourish and we may carry out our individual vocations with joy. In your name we pray it. 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.

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Based on Matthew 10:32-33

Since this Sunday is Father’s Day, I’d like to say happy Father’s Day to the men who have the privilege of serving the vocations of both father and war fighter. Happy Father’s Day also to those men who serve as the supportive spouse to their wives who serve in our nation’s military.  

And since it’s Father’s Day, I’d like to share a little bit about my father. At his confirmation he was given Matthew 10:32-33 as his confirmation verse. Here Jesus says, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). I have to say that my father embodies those words from Jesus. He is not shy when it comes to sharing Jesus with complete strangers and often ends the conversation with an invitation to church.  

But then Jesus follows up by saying, “Whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33). I can also say this about my father: he hasn’t always been faithful in carrying out the will of his Father in heaven. He is a sinner. As a father of five children, I know that I have not always been the faithful father. My dad, and my wife and kiddos could point out where I have failed as a father. I know that I am a sinner, too.  

How often have we as fathers failed to say the loving thing even when it hurts, to point out sinful attitudes of our spouse or children, so that they repent, confess and admit their sin, and then hear Jesus’ absolution from our lips, “You are forgiven!” That doesn’t happen often enough in our home. What about yours? Yes, fathers are imperfect – your father, this father, and those of you who serve in the vocation of father.   

But what Jesus says about me and my dad to his Father in heaven is this: “These two, Paul and Fritz, they belong here with us, the Father and the Son.” He says that about you, too, fathers. And you sons and daughters, say this to your fathers this Father’s Day, “You belong to Jesus and to his Father.” For God loved the world in this way: he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

This Father’s Day, point your father to Jesus, the one who obeyed his Father’s will perfectly for your father. And for you, fathers, know and believe that Jesus acknowledges you before his Father in heaven as one who is forgiven, as one who is a son of the Father in heaven, adopted into his family through the waters of holy baptism.   

Go and be a faithful, forgiven, father. Go and forgive fathers, just as your Father has forgiven and loved you.   

Prayer:

Gracious God our Father, grant people everywhere the blessing of a loving father at home. In homes where fathers have neglected their duties or have been absent, help the children to persevere and to find in your Word their ideal for parenthood. Direct us to honor, love and respect our earthly fathers. Keep your children in the one true faith in Jesus so that families may spend eternity together in heaven. In your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. 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.

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Based on Numbers 27:15-23

“Because of your insubordination I am relieving you of command.”  

Those are words that no one wants to hear, and yet these are the very words the Lord spoke to his servant leader Moses. Moses had led the nation of Israel out of Egypt, through the wilderness for 40 years and was about to lead the people into the Promised Land. But God stopped him short. The reason? “You disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes” (Numbers 27:14).  

God led Moses to the top of a mountain so he could see the Promised Land and then he died and God buried him.   

I’m certain you know someone who has been relieved of duty, lost command, demoted, received a reduction in rank because of a violation of policy, poor performance, or loss of confidence in their ability to lead. Maybe that’s you. And like Moses, there are reminders of that failure always before you. How does that make you feel? Worthless? Full of regret? Full of guilt? You are not alone.      

Before Moses died, the LORD commanded him to lay his hands on his successor and commission him to lead. And he led well. His name? Joshua. In the Hebrew Yeshua. In the Greek language Jesus: a name that means – the one who saves. Yes, God provided another leader to shepherd his people – a picture of what the perfect Good Shepherd would one day do for Moses. God’s imperfect servant leader could cling to the promise of the perfect servant leader and know his sins were forgiven. Moses could die in peace knowing his God had made all things right.      

Whatever it is you failed to do in your job, whatever consequences you suffered for it, believe this: Jesus was and is the perfect leader, and the perfect subordinate, the perfect servant of all, the perfect shepherd for all, and that includes you and me.  

As shepherd he looks at people like you and me, and doesn’t shake his head, groan and say, “Not again!” Instead, he looks on you and me with compassion. His heart goes out to us, because he sees people, sinners, sheep who need a shepherd, and he comes to you and to me and offers his holy, perfect, selfless, sacrificial life and says, “Here, this is yours. You are righteous in my sight.”  

Whatever God has called you to do right now, go and do it. Go with confidence. Believe that your sin is covered by Jesus. Go with confidence knowing that Jesus goes before you as a shepherd leads his sheep.  

Prayer:

This weekend as the US Army celebrates its 251st birthday we pause to thank you for this branch of our armed forces that has stood ready to protect our nation and its people and defend its values. Raise up more men and women willing to serve with loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Through the sacrifice of our US Army may we continue to enjoy and practice the freedoms of this great country. In your name, Lord Jesus, I pray it. 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.