8-24-2023

Good Morning All,

        Zechariah 10:8; “I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before.”

    I have always been fascinated by very well-trained dogs.  I have watched shows on well-trained hunting dogs and well-trained sheep dogs and well-trained cow dogs.  I had a neighbor that had a border collie that used to “watch” the gate as he drove in and out to feed his cattle.  None of the cows ever got out.  He used a series of whistles and commands to get the dog to do what he wanted the dog to do.  The dog heard the whistle and understood what it meant.  Anybody else whistling and the dog just sat there, but as soon as the owner whistled, the dog’s ears stood up and it became attentive and alert.

    The dog hears the whistle of the master and responds.  This whistle may mean a meal or a task to accomplish.  It is a response to the call of the master.  It means that there is a great connection between the master and the dog.  The dog relies on the master for everything.  The master feeds the dog, gives it a shelter, protects it from enemies and guards it from all harm.

    In many ways we are like this dog.  We are protected by God from our enemies.  Even if we are scattered throughout the entire world, we hear God’s call, we hear his whistle and know that it is him.  Through the Spirit, he gathers us together into the safety of his body, the Church.  Through his Son, he has redeemed us and bought us back from the sinful, selfish desires that used to control our lives to be his dear children.

    So as a good Lutheran we ask, what does this mean?  No matter what we do or where we are, God knows, and he doesn’t let us out of his sight.  His grace is always there for us; to comfort us, to guard us, to defend us.  When the challenges of life come at us and we fear them, we are scared of what they mean, God whistles for us and gathers us in, like a mother hen gathers her chicks.  He does this because he loves us.  We are his children, and he protects us from all that the devil throws at us.  All of our fears, all of our worries, all of our desperate cries and laments of despair are heard by God, and he calls us to his home to his place of safety.  God whistles and we know it is his call and this call, the promise of forgiveness and the certainty of our salvation, gives us hope.  

    We need to hear his words of hope and trust his promises. “Cast all your anxieties on him” “Let not your hearts be troubled” “Come unto me all you who labor and are of heavy laden and I will give you rest.”  Hear God’s words for you, listen to the whistle.

Gracious Father, you call us every moment.  Let us hear your call that we may be secure in your arms and guarded by your love.  Be with those who are especially in need of your grace.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret