Living Hope Lutheran - Pastor's Blog

Pastor's Blog

March 2024

3/20/2024 7:54:20 PM

The LORD Surrounds His People

The imagery of Psalm 125 is not difficult to understand. Mountains don’t move. Clouds or storms may hide them from sight, but that does not mean that the mountains went somewhere. You just can’t see them because your view is blocked. Psalm 125:2 - "The mountains surround Jerusalem and the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever."

"The Lord surrounds his people" like the mountains that surround Jerusalem. He is always with us. In his faithful love, he never leaves his people. At times we may not see him because our view is blocked. Troubles can keep us from seeing God. Our sins can make us close our eyes so we don't see God. But our weaknesses and sins don't change God.

We are at the doorstep to Holy Week. The love of God surrounds us in every moment of Holy Week. Christ went to Jerusalem to die for our sins. He was fully committed to the work of being the Savior of the world. His forgiveness is freely given to all who believe.

Holy Week is the mountain of God's love that surrounds you! There are a number of special worship services next week. Make time to attend. This love of God will comfort and strengthen you; it will prepare you for a life of service and for eternal life.

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling

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3/6/2024 8:40:36 PM

Trusting the Lord

In the verses before Jeremiah 20:7-13, the prophet was beaten and put in the stock because he preached about the coming judgment of God against Jerusalem. The leaders did not want to hear that God was angry with them. As you read the following verses, notice his faith and resolve. The troubles he faced were difficult, but Jeremiah could not stop speaking the truth or trusting the Lord.

"7 O LORD, you deceived me, and I was deceived;
you overpowered me and prevailed.
I am ridiculed all day long;
everyone mocks me.
8 Whenever I speak, I cry out
proclaiming violence and destruction.
So the word of the LORD has brought me
insult and reproach all day long.
9 But if I say, “I will not mention him
or speak any more in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
10 I hear many whispering,
“Terror on every side!
Report him! Let’s report him!”
All my friends are waiting for me to slip, saying,
“Perhaps he will be deceived;
then we will prevail over him and take our revenge on him.”
11 But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior;
so my persecutors will stumble and not prevail.
They will fail and be thoroughly disgraced;
their dishonor will never be forgotten.
12 O LORD Almighty, you who examine the righteous
and probe the heart and mind,
let me see your vengeance upon them,
for to you I have committed my cause.
13 Sing to the LORD!
Give praise to the LORD!
He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked." (NIV)

Through faith in Jesus, you see more than just the latest problems you face or the uncertain future. You see God's perfect love that has set you free from sin and made you his child. The God who watched over and saved Jeremiah is watching over and has saved you! You are safe in his arms, today and forever. Continue to trust in his grace!