Rev. Dr. Johnson Gudaga
Assistance of Bishop of ELCT – SD
OKULI – MY EYES ARE WATCHING THE LORD
First Reading: Psalm 147:14–20
Second Reading: Revelation 4:11
Sermon Lesson: Job 12:7–10
- INTRODUCTION
Dear People of God, Shalom.
We are very welcome to participate in a spirit of unity and love in today’s Bible Study, as we prepare for the 4th Lord’s Day Service before Easter. We meet online not only for sermon preparation, but for the purpose of building each other up, sharing gifts, strengthening each other spiritually, and reflecting together on the Word of God that will be preached at the altar next Sunday.
This process reminds us that the ministry of the Word is not the responsibility of one person, but a collective calling. When we discuss this before Sunday, we do three important things:
- We build unity among the ministers of the Word.
- We dig deep into the theological foundations of the scriptures.
- We prepare not only to preach, but to live what we will preach.
During this Lenten season, under the theme “Okuli – My Eyes Have Seen the Lord”, we are invited to look more closely at God. We look to Him not only as Savior, but also as Creator, Owner, and Sustainer of all creation. This is where the theme of the week takes on its significance: “The Environment is Life – Let’s Take Care of It.” The issue of environmental stewardship is not just a matter of common sense, it is also a matter of faith. According to the ELCT Bible Study Calendar, for the 4th Lord’s Day before Easter (Okuli – My Eyes Are Watching the Lord), the church has scheduled three readings to be read in the Sunday service as follows:
FIRST READING: PSALM 147:14–20
Among other things, these verses (14-20) reveal to us that peace comes from God and that God is the one who maintains the peace and security of his people, thus maintaining his authority (v. 14). He confirms that God manages the weather and natural events with order and wisdom (vv. 16-17). Furthermore, the psalmist shows that following God’s laws brings guidance and peace to his people. And that spiritual blessings come from following His commandments, not individual efforts alone (v.18).
In this sense, we see clearly here that peace, food, and social well-being are intertwined with God’s order in nature. Peace is not just a political issue; it is a product of the proper order of God’s creation. Food is not the result of human effort alone; it is a blessing that flows through the land, rain, seasons, and production that God enables. When the environment is damaged, social well-being is undermined.
For example; Deforestation leads to reduced rainfall and water sources. Droughts lead to famine. Famine leads to social tensions, resource conflicts, and even the breakdown of social cohesion. Here we see clearly that creation theology has a direct connection to social justice. Environmental degradation often hurts the poor the most, who depend on land and water for their daily lives.
In our environment, it is a matter of comfort and hope to see the efforts taking place within our church. Here you can join me in congratulating our colleagues at the Kidugala Lutheran Seminary, especially the Bible College, for promoting and developing in practice a Green Theology that cares for and preserves the environment. This is not just a theoretical theology, but a theology that goes down to earth, plants trees, protects water sources, and teaches new generations to be responsible for God’s creation. I think it is not wrong to mention with good intentions the Dean of the College, Rev. Mexon Mng’ong’o, for the great work of speaking out on the environmental care agenda in various gatherings, even in unusual circumstances such as disasters. There we see prophetic courage: connecting the Word of God with the real challenges of society. In general, we are reminded as pastors to look deeply at the Word and translate it into the real lives of people. In doing so, we demonstrate that: Environmental care is part of the pastoral vocation, it is part of the ministry of reconciliation between God, man, and creation and it is part of living the Gospel in the real world. As I conclude this first part, I would like to raise this question: If God continues to sustain His creation, are we as a church cooperating with Him or opposing Him by our actions?
SECOND READING: REVELATION 4:11
We all know that the Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John (John of Patmos) during the persecution of the early Christians under the Roman Empire, around the end of the first century (between 95–96 AD). John recorded this vision from the island of Patmos, where he was imprisoned for his faith. It is understandable that the early Christians faced injustice, persecution, and family and social pressure. And so the book of Revelation was a voice of encouragement, strengthening faith, and showing that God has authority over all history and world events. Essentially, this book is a book of encouragement, showing God’s final victory over evil, and encouraging people to live faithfully.
Chapter 4 begins with John seeing an open door in heaven and the throne of God (Revelation 4:1–2). This is part of a vision of God’s glory, showing His authority over the entire universe. John is surrounded by angels, living creatures, and elders praising God all day long. This vision has nothing to do with the ordinary world; it is a spiritual perspective that teaches: God has absolute authority, Every creature of creation gives thanks to God, and that God’s Glory deserves endless praise. Verse 11 (today’s lesson) makes it clear that everything was created by God’s will, and the life and beauty of all are gifts from Him. For Christians, this vision is a source of hope, peace, and praise; God manages our lives, history, and all of creation in His wisdom. Before being praised for redemption, God is praised for creation. This shows that creation has a spiritual value. In fact, true worship cannot be separated from creation. I have learned that, If a church sings praises on Sunday but leaves garbage lying around, there is a disconnect between worship and life. As I reflect on this lesson, I have realized that worship is not a one-hour event. It is a way of life where the church can plant trees as a symbol of Lenten repentance, promote sustainable land use, and teach environmental responsibility. Here I ask ourselves this important question: Can a church that ignores environmental destruction say it is fully fulfilling its calling to worship?
THIRD READING: JOB 12:7–10
The book of Job is one of the wisdom books of the Bible, which addresses the difficult questions of life: suffering, justice, wisdom, and man’s relationship with God. Job, in great suffering and dealing with the arguments of his friends, reminds his audience and readers that God’s wisdom is not only in words, but also in all of creation. Here the author uses examples from creation (animals, birds, land, fish) to illustrate God’s wisdom. He teaches that wisdom can be gained by observing God’s life and creation. These verses reveal spiritual lessons, God’s wisdom, and the value of life through creation. This teaches that observing the life of every creature can reveal God’s secrets.
Job was a man who lived in an ancient world, where people valued wisdom, wealth, and social honor. During this period, suffering was often viewed as a punishment for sin. Job’s friends tried to convince him that his suffering was due to sin, but Job countered that argument by saying that God’s wisdom and power are greater than human thinking.
If we look at verses 7 and 8, verses 7–8 we see that God’s Wisdom is in creation. That every creature teaches us God’s qualities: For example; Bees and other animals teach us about diligence, cooperation, and perseverance. Plants and trees teach us about patience, prosperity, and reliance on natural blessings. Fish and sea creatures point us to the order of life and the richness of nature. Basically, these verses teach us that every creature is a spiritual guide, and looking at creation is a way to gain God’s wisdom.
Moving on to verse 9, Job affirms that God is the Creator of all creation and that nothing happens without His permission. God’s authority is absolute and is evident in the order of creation. Here Job exposes the weakness or frailty of man and recognizes the power of God, affirming that our lives and the history of this world are in His hands. In the final verse (10) we see the idea of the Life and spirit of every living creature as a gift from God. Here we are reminded to have an attitude of gratitude and dependence on God for the blessings of life, intelligence, and strength. Remember, we do all that we do because God has given us the gift of Life first.
There are several things we can learn from this lesson.
First, this lesson empowers us pastors to lead with wisdom that is not found only in human knowledge but by being guided by the wisdom of God that is displayed in all creation. It reminds us to see every event, every challenge, and every creature as a source of spiritual learning, which can help us make wise, just, and progressive decisions for the church. Furthermore, we are given a unique challenge as pastors: to incorporate God’s creation into our teaching, using examples from everyday life, animals, plants, or even believers, as a guide to understanding God’s wisdom and order.
Second, this lesson emphasizes relying on God’s authority. When pastors know that no creature or event occurs without God’s permission, they gain a solid foundation for leading with humility and responsibility. Spiritual authority must be combined with the recognition of leadership that cares for every life, since both life and spirit are gifts from God, not our personal possessions. This encourages us pastors to value every creature and every believer as we minister, recognizing that each one is a spiritual guide and a source of God’s wisdom.
Third, this lesson is a guide to spiritual and social life. It challenges pastors to ensure that the church is run with wisdom, responsibility, and gratitude to God, while caring for the believers physically and spiritually. When we pastors teach in this way, we contribute not only to the spiritual formation of believers, but also to strengthening the unity of the church and the well-being of society. Overall, this lesson gives us practical guidance: to look at the nature and life of every creature, to rely on God’s authority, and to appreciate the gift of life, so that our leadership as pastors can have a positive impact on our diocese, the church, and society at large.
If we had time to discuss a little, I would like to discuss this question. Since Job encourages us to learn from animals, birds and the earth, how do we consider the subject of creation as a teacher of wisdom in our pastoral ministry?
May I conclude by thanking all of you who have been blessed to join me in this reflection. I am very grateful to our program coordinator for giving me the opportunity to lead this Bible Study today. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen (Romans 15:33).
Rev. Dr. Johnson Gudaga
@05/03/2026