Thy Strong Word from KFUO Radio

Rev. Tom Eckstein of Concordia Lutheran Church, Jamestown, ND, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 6:32-7:20.In grief the king asks “Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?” We don’t like to wait, especially in trials. For the Israelites God provided by word of lepers from the camp of the Syrians. It was almost unimaginable just days before. Through Christ goggles, we look at our own lives and see how God provides in unlikely ways which shows us why we are able to wait for the LORD: the cross and empty tomb. He provides salvation. Why would He not give us all things? “Lord God, help us to wait on You. Help us to see how You have provided in the past and we are able to wait knowing the ultimate hope of new life with You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. John Shank of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 6.If the LORD can make iron float, surely the LORD can save me. God so loved the Israelites that even in some of the worst sins imaginable, He was patient and worked through the prophets to give people the truth. He is the LORD of hosts, He sends His angels to battle for us as He has already had the victory! “LORD God, we commend ourselves to You, our bodies, our soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with us, that the evil foe may have no power over us. Amen”

Rev. John Lukomski, host of Wrestling with the Basics on KFUO Radio, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 5:15-27. Find Wrestling with the Basics at kfuo.org/wrestlingwiththebasics.Naaman went forward in faith and in the LORD’s peace. Gehazi moved forward trusting in what he could get from others. Elisha gives us the words we all need as His children, “Go in peace.” In His peace we move forward knowing that He is our Prince of Peace. “Lord God, fill us with Your peace so that when temptations to trust in anything other than You knocks at our doors, that we come back to You trusting that if You can handle leprosy, You can handle any burden we bear. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger, President of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 5:1-14.The LORD is the LORD of the lowly. God worked through a little girl and a leper, not by silver, gold, or fancy clothes, but by a few words and some water. In our world, “Might makes right.” Whoever has the most power & money wins the day, but God shows us that He works for the lowly and the lowly do great things by His Word---forgiveness, life, and salvation. “Lord God, as You have called us as Your own through a few nails, pieces of wood and claimed us through some words and water, bring Your healing upon us in body and soul that we may trust in You and allow Your will to be done. In Christ, Amen”

Rev. David Boisclair of Faith and Bethesda Lutheran Church in Pine Lawn, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 4:18-44.The Shunamite woman loses her son and while seeking help from Elisha she says, “All is well.” Clearly, she is grieving and in pain, but she speaks words of faith in the LORD. We pray for the same faith when going through loss and trial. Throughout chapter 4 we see how the LORD provides: gifts to live, our children, & food in famine. Ultimately it points us to the greatest gift of salvation in Christ. He is our bread of life, the prince of peace, and the only Son to save us from our sin. “Lord God, we pray that Your Holy Spirit will open our hearts and mouths to trust in You. Point our eyes back to Christ and fill us with peace to proclaim Your truth and rest in You. In Christ. Amen”

Rev. Curtis Deterding of Zion Lutheran Church in Fort Myers, FL joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 4:1-17.The widow had nothing but a vessel of oil. The Shunammite woman was wealthy. Yet, we all have needs and the LORD provides “all that we need to support this body and life.” God worked through Elisha for God’s people and God sends helpers in your life to provide, serve, and care for you and others. For all this generosity from God “it is our duty to thanks and praise, serve and obey Him.” “Heavenly Father, as You provided for the widow and Shunammite woman, provide for our needs. As You used Elisha to serve You people, help us to serve others as You have served us in Christ. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Bruce Timm of Redeemer Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study 2 Kings 3.We need a preacher. Jehoram, Jehosophat, and the king of Edom went to Elisha after seven days without water because “the word of the LORD was with him.” Once again God provided: water for the thirsty, victory over enemies, and peace for the anxious. We see a stark difference from the king of Moab to Elisha. The king looked for peace by sacrificing his son to fake gods--Elisha looked to the LORD who would have his son sacrificed for the peace of forgiveness, life, and salvation. “LORD God, give us a preacher to give us truth and peace. Keep us from trying to find out God’s will from anything other than God’s Word and keep us with You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Dr. Walter Maier III, professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study II Kings 2.God continues His prophetic office from Moses to Elijah to Elisha all the way to Christ. How can we not see Christ as we see Elijah cross the Jordan and ascend to heaven? How can we not see the reality that God provides for His church even when they lose the great prophet Elijah? Elisha takes the mantle and faithfully serves the LORD and His people. May we trust the LORD will continue to provide for us no matter the circumstance. “Lord God, thank you for the prophets Moses, Elijah, and Elisha. Help us to be faithful to the end as we know that as Your Son ascended and reigns on high, we can trust in Your promises. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Matthew Clark of Ascension Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to start our study of 2 Kings.Ahaziah had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the kings’ men couldn't put Ahaziah back together again. The LORD tells us that Ahaziah “provoked the LORD to anger in every way that his father had done.” Even after seeing the great works of the LORD and unable to do anything on his own after his fall, Ahaziah looked to false gods to give him direction. The consequence was death. The consequence of our sin is death, but in faith, we look to the resurrected Christ who has had the victory and life eternal. “O Holy Spirit, point us back to Christ. When we are in need, grant us humble hearts of faith that your consuming fire may not destroy us, but bring us back to You. Lord have mercy. Amen”

Rev. Ross Shaver of Zion Lutheran Church, Nampa, ID joins host Rev. Brady Finnern to study Psalm 149.Praise the LORD! Why? The LORD takes pleasure in you. He adorns, that is covers you with His righteousness and grants you salvation in His love. To pray Psalm 149 also reminds us that the battle is not done. Each day we pray to our LORD who has had the victory and gives us the two-edged sword of Law & Gospel to engage in this battle against Satan, our flesh, and sin. “O LORD, You have taken pleasure in Your people due to Your Son’s cross. Humble us in faith to fight the good fight with Your two edged sword of Your Word. In Christ, Amen”