A Hope and a Future

 

“Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the godly ones. Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King. Let them praise His name with dancing; let them sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.”

(rf. Ps. 149:1–4 NASB)

 

 

 

            Of all years that we have probably experienced, 2020 has to rank as one of the most challenging on record. We have endured an historic number of hurricanes, wildfires, the COVID pandemic and an election cycle that has seemed to endure long after the votes have been counted. To say that we are looking forward to a New Year is a great understatement. We long for a fresh start and the dawn in hopes of a new and less stressful day (or year, for that matter).

            This change of years does remind us of the importance of hope and newness, no doubt. The opening of a new calendar gives an opportunity to make plans, to put down reminders of special occasions that still arrive, and the possibility to do something much different from that which we are normally accustomed. We can start again with a “fresh slate” and begin to carve out a novel path for the future, making needed changes and updates so that we do not repeat unnecessary actions or attitudes.

            That which is beneficial for us as individuals is also a blessing for church fellowships. New years provide that much-needed respite to do an authentic overview of the past year or years and determine what things, actions, programs and such require a facelift. Because we are His ambassadors in Christ (rf. II Cor. 5), we should always be on the lookout for ways to make our approach to ministry and worship more engaging, God-centered and Biblical. 

            I know that we will have changes coming in the makeup of our Church Council. We have moved our worship service to the format that more closely reflects that of the Evangelical and Reformed Church order of worship that was the standard of St. John’s at its inception. We are in the process of enhancing our video capabilities to film the regular services for the benefit of our shut-ins and for those who are following our ministry here in the US and around the world. As we are able to make more grant applications this year, we will be able to complete the outstanding projects as part of our overall Capital Improvement initiative. And, so far, we are able to do all of this within the restrictions and guidelines put into place because of the ongoing nature of the pandemic.

            We have much to be thankful to God for as 2020 goes rightfully into the history books and 2021 presents us “a breath of fresh air”, the joy of beginning things anew. May we use this gift of a New Year to make even more progress in our own spiritual journeys with the Lord even as we seek to do the same as a church. May the Lord continue to richly bless us and all His people in the unfolding of His plan going forward.

The Giving of Our Thanks to God

 

“O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting. Then say, ‘Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us and deliver us from the nations, to give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise.’ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. Then all the people said, ‘Amen,’ and praised the Lord”

(rf. I Chron. 16:34-36 NASB).

 

            One would think that having an attitude of thanksgiving would be an automatic response to all of God’s goodness, especially for those who are called God’s people. We of all folks should easily recognize the loving hand of Almighty God in our everyday lives and, specifically, in those difficult times when He makes His Presence known to us in prayer.

            Yet, with all of the evidence of God’s goodness towards us as His children, how many of us actually take the time to give Him the thanks that He rightfully deserves. It is far easier to take His good actions toward us for granted, believing that He will always provide such things to us. It is a more difficult thing for us to “stop and smell the roses”, putting the busyness of our lives aside for a few concentrated moments to heartfully thank our Heavenly Father for loving us so much and for always providing for us in all situations.

            This is the spirit of the passage above. We have the strong encouragement to “give thanks to the Lord, for He is good”. His “lovingkindness” towards us never runs dry! We are to remember the blessings of the past He has sent our way, the many times He has delivered us from dire situations and to give Him the glory He alone deserves. The Scripture encourages us to do so. Our response should be the same as the Israelites in this text—we should say, “Yes, this is all true for us” (“Amen”). This realization on our part should result in our full and unstinted praises to the Lord God above.

            So, as we plan to set aside family time for the celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday, let us remember that we have even more reason to be thankful than the unbelieving world around us. We have a God who cared enough for us to send His Son on our behalf to take away the sin that separated us from Him so that He could engage in a personal relationship with everyone who makes up His body, His Church. Let us then show forth a thankful attitude, not just at this appointed time during the year, but every day that we are given to live, serve and love the Lord our God.

Comfort in the Sovereignty of God

“And Moses said, ‘When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.’” (rf. Exod. 16:8 ESV)

 

“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (rf. Php. 2:14-15 ESV)

            As a theologically Reformed minister and pastor of a Reformed church, I unashamedly and wholeheartedly believe and affirm the Biblical doctrine of predestination. I am fully persuaded that God set forth before the beginning of time His plan and will for all that has transpired from Creation to the end of time as we find in the book of Revelation. He either directs or allows all things to occur, including all perceived good and bad things, like the weaving of a beautiful tapestry which often has a dark background to better illumine the lighter threads. He is not the author of evil, but uses our enemy, Satan, his minions and the evil they perpetuate to accomplish His holy ends. He is providentially in control of all things at all times, including us as part of His Creation. There is nothing that touches our lives that He does not allow nor do these difficult circumstances slip through His protective defenses of His people. Though some view it otherwise and often take it out of context, I personally find the sovereignty of Almighty God and His predestining actions a great source of comfort and peace because I know the goal of His movements and allowances are in my best interests along with all of His children. As Romans 8:28-29 states clearly, 

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren…”

 

With these truths in place and our faith placed in His wisdom, where then is there any room for complaining and “bellyaching” in the heart and life of the Christian? As Moses clearly says in Exod. 16:8 (as quoted above), when we complain, “…Your (our) grumbling is…against the Lord”. We easily overlook the many blessings that we presently possess in favor of looking with longing at the blessings of others with great envy (another sin, mind you), filling our hearts with ingratitude and making ourselves (and those around us) miserable. What we are not seeing is our own dishonor of Almighty God and His purposes being played out in our lives.

Note again what the Apostle Paul says in the passage above from Romans: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose…” Our present experience, whether good or bad, whether we are the victim of other’s actions or suffering from our own foolishness and pride, nothing of what we are going through is outside the parameters of His will for us. We are EXACTLY where He wants us to be right now. He has lessons, important lessons, He wants us to learn from these experiences. If we are submissive to His leadership and oversight, we will get through the hard times sooner. If we complain, become bitter, and rebel against His wisdom, the lessons will only be multiplied and our difficulties increase for us. If we are experiencing overwhelming blessing, He wants us to appreciate each moment and know that these “good gifts” come from Him alone (rf. Jas. 1:17) and not from our own making.

Out of our appreciation for His control and oversight of our lives we should then have attitudes that constantly, whether in good times or bad, reflect our thankfulness for His Presence in our lives. Complaining should be as far from the life of the believer in Christ as “the east is from the west” (rf. Ps 103:12 NASB). Grumbling, venting, bellyaching should not be pieces found in the repertoire. Rather, we should be thankful in all circumstances, appreciative to the Lord for life and for being with us “through thick and thin”. He has put us here on purpose, placed us in our present situation with goals for us in mind, and has promised “never to leave nor forsake us” (rf. Heb. 13:5 NKJV). Thus, we should trust Him and have positive attitudes while we await further disclosure as to His designs for us.  

Importance of Memorials

 

“Let this be a sign among you, so that when your children ask later, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?,’then you shall say to them, ‘Because the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.’ So these stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.”

(rf. Josh. 4:6–7 NASB)

 

 

            As I am writing this article, there is an ongoing and growing movement within the United States (and around the world) to tear down or remove long-standing statues and monuments of great historical significance. Those in the sights of protestors are usually representations of men who were either slaveholders themselves or were somehow connected with the practice through their affiliation with the American Civil War. In other countries, the focus of attention has been on those historical figures who have in some respect been a part of the same efforts or actions within the confines of their own people or realm. 

            Indeed, such practices as slavery and the beliefs in the extremist views of white supremacy are totally antithetical to the Christian faith and are unworthy to be held by those who trust and follow Jesus. Even the Apostle Paul, when interceding on behalf of the runaway slave, Onesimus, encouraged his owner to treat Onesimus with compassion, love and forgiveness as one would treat a fellow brother in Christ (which Onesimus was because of Paul’s sharing of the Gospel with him) (rf. Philemon 10-25). 

            In thinking and acting with regard to the present conflicts and the pursuit to destroy such monuments, we must not enter into judging the past on the values of the present. Just as things changed from the past to the present, things which used to be at least tolerated if not accepted have become things to be abhorred and repudiated, so we must remember that the present will inevitably become the past as we move into the future. Generations to come will undoubtedly look upon some of the beliefs and actions taking place now and do so with revulsion and disregard. The present never continues into the present. Change for good or ill is always the case for individuals, no doubt, but also for nations and civilizations.

            Nor can we see the value of trying to eradicate the past by removing or destroying historical markers. They were designed as a memorial to an individual or group whose actions, attitudes or personal contributions changed the course of our people. Most of these acted within the bounds of their own historical context. We may not agree with all that they did or all that they believed, but their influence made a difference as noted by the existence of said monuments.

            Interestingly enough, God views the use of monuments or “memorials” with a great deal of approval and encouragement. In the passage quoted above, it must be seen that God knew His people would require a physical reminder of the great things He had accomplished on their behalf. Thus, for the generations to come, when asked about the reality of God and His actions for His people, they could point to “memorials” as a testimony of God’s direct intervention into their lives for the better. There was tremendous benefit in having historical edifices that brought back to memory the blessings and actions of the past.

            A people who allow their history to be removed and discarded are on a short path to total destruction from within. As stated by George Santayana, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it”, so will our nation continue to suffer if our history is destroyed before our eyes. Monuments and “memorials” must remain in place in order for us as a people to learn from our past as did God’s people in Joshua’s time. May the present effort come to naught before permanent damage to our nation is done.

 

Contentment and Change

“Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change                     His mind.” (rf. I Sam. 15:29 NASB) 

“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

(rf. Mal. 3:6 NASB)

 

In the last installment, we looked at the subject of contentment and how this is a quality that we, as followers of Jesus, should strive to put into practice in our lives. In this episode, we want to explore the necessity of change in the experience of ourselves as human beings. 

Though, for many of us it is a daunting prospect, especially as we grow older, change is an unwanted visitor, an interloper that tends to disrupt what we would view as “normal” in our lives. We don’t enjoy the prospect of adapting ourselves to suit the new circumstances. We would rather have things stay the same because for a lot of us sameness is quite comfortable.

This is very true for a number of professed Christians who, when they find a church of which they become a part, it is their desire for the church and their experience within to remain unchanged…always. They like things the way that they are. They want no disruptions to the status quo. 

There are a number of things such professed Christians who possess this attitude do not realize. First of all, their becoming a part of said church brought change to that church simply because a new person had joined their ranks. Things in that church are no longer the same as they were before. Secondly, unless these newly added members vow to keep their views, opinions and ideas to themselves for the duration of their time as members, they will undoubtedly add their insights to the mix of those already in the organization, bringing about change to one degree or another. 

In other words, there is no humanly way possible to prevent change. It is a dynamic that must be embraced since, quite often, with it comes life and renewal of vision and purpose. Granted, not all change is positive; one should never seek change simply for change’s sake. However, if one realizes that change is as much a part of the human experience as breathing, then it becomes easier to accept when it arrives on our doorstep…especially, if God Himself is the One who has ordained it to occur.

Speaking of Him, the Lord is often the originator and activator of change, but, oddly enough, He Himself remains unchanged. As the Scriptures declare above, God may “repent” or “relent” in reference to His decisions or determinations on occasion, but He “does not change” in terms of His character, knowledge and being. He always remains the same. Thankfully that is the case, because His promises and accomplishments on our behalf would be compromised if this fact were not so. 

You see, He knows and wants His people to experience change periodically so that they will consistently be looking to Him for guidance as to the path or decision they should pursue. He wants us to be totally dependent upon Him who needs no such dependence or accountability Himself. He is quite sufficient on His own.

Therefore, we need not only to be on the lookout for change on the horizon, but, when it arrives, to also prayerfully assess whether or not it is from the Lord and in accordance with His Word. As it is determined to be “heaven-sent”, then we should be open and with willing hearts engage change with joy and gladness, knowing that there will be significant growth that comes with the change. This is how it is with God’s creation; it is the very same with God’s people. May we be wise and take the appropriate action when change arrives on our scene. 

Need for Contentment

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content…I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (rf. Php. 4:11, 13 ESV)

“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

 (rf. I Tim. 6:6-8 ESV)

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (rf. Heb. 13:5 ESV)

            Contentment. I confess that, especially in my formative years and in my genetic makeup, this was a concept I found particularly hard to grasp, much less to put into action. You see, I grew up in a household that moved around and outside the state of Georgia eight times between my birth and my entrance into 4^th grade due to the demands of my father’s job with the Georgia Power Company and his time in the U.S. Air Force. Added to this was my mother’s penchant for changing things in the house on a regular basis, moving around bedrooms as well as making countless adjustments to the location of furniture and accessories. My growing up years were in one sense a constant flow of change.

            As I reached my adulthood, having the itch for change was something that was very difficult to overcome. If it wasn’t a pursuance of “better pastures”, it was surely having a great aversion of things remaining the same, of being stagnant or static. This powerful innate force of nature would reveal itself through banal things such as rearranging items around my office, relocating bookstore displays, etc. every month or so (for which I have as a constant reminder the scar from the back surgery that resulted from such an endeavor) to praying that the Lord would move us to another place of ministry because things didn’t measure up to my expectations in my present location. This need for change of circumstances and surroundings was a constant companion. 

            I would be a liar if I shared that this particular beast has totally been overcome and tamed within me. I still struggle with it. The longer things remain stable and unchanged, the stronger the “yelling” from that part of me grows.

            When I say the following, I assure you I mean it with all of my being. Only in the Lord by His grace and power am I able to daily keep this potent influence at bay and under subjection. He has been teaching me, slowly but surely, His truth about contentment. When I feel the urge to want more or to pursue a course of great change in my life, He reminds me that it was the Father’s will and plan that kept Him on the correct path, that, while all of His physical needs were being met by God, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has (or had) nowhere to lay his head” (rf. Matt. 8:20 ESV). Jesus was content to fulfill His mission for the Father without any thought of His daily provision. This should be my same ambition. This is the rightful definition of the contentment He desires for all of His people to practice.

            Change is and will always be a necessary part of life. The seasons of the year reveal themselves differently as time progresses forward, as do the seasons of life. Change should not be feared of itself when it comes but embraced along with the lessons accompanying it. Sometimes those within Christ’s Church are the very ones who have the hardest time with change, largely because we have not really accepted or believed in the sovereignty of God over our lives. However, He wants His people to be open to the changes that He brings, knowing that His change has with it our spiritual growth and the increase in our faith that we should always desire. 

            The balance that I have at present is that, if I am doing what I am supposed to in fulfillment of God’s will for my life and that of my family, then I should be content to continue in it until He should disclose a different path for me to follow. If I need to change the location of furniture or pictures to fulfill that inner “hankering” for a difference, that is fine. He doesn’t mind such variety in our lives. However, He wants us to trust in Him as Lord and to leave to Him the paths of this journey and the experiences along the way, being accepting of the change that comes implicitly with such. He desires for us to experience His peace while we release ourselves completely into His care. He has promised to take care of us as His people, assuming total control over our circumstances so that He can better mold and make us “into the image of His Son” (rf. Rom. 8:29 ESV). 

            May we seek and pray for this attitude of contentment for ourselves, having absolute trust in His provision, direction and sustenance as touching all of our needs.

Pandemic Encouragement

^“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’ Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday…Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling…” 

(rf. Ps. 91:1-6, 9-10 NKJV)

            With all of the concern and consternation that we have all experienced over the past few months regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, I believed that it was time for some well-needed encouragement from God’s Word. We have endured the trials of “social distancing” and the closure of businesses, restaurants, sporting events and venues, along with our educational institutions. We have had to suspend our church gatherings and plans while continuing to connect via our online presence through our website and Facebook page. It would seem that much has been lost due to this virus and the perils it has brought with it. However, the psalmist gives us tremendous hope in the midst of such crisis. 

            The psalmist reminds us at the outset that our hope lies in living or dwelling “in the secret place of the Most High (God)” (vs. 1) and in the shadow of His wings (or “His feathers”—vs. 4, figuratively speaking, of course). The Lord is portrayed here as an eagle protecting his children by having them hide under the cover of his wings. Because of that position under His protection, the psalmist tells his readers that they have no reason to fear, though the enemy send “terror by night” or even “destruction by day” (vs. 5-6). Even when “pestilence” enters the picture, the Lord is still upholding His people, giving them the courage to go on in the midst of such danger, promising to them that “no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling” (vs. 10).

            This is a promise of God to be with His people through every possible circumstance that we may face, even those that are life-threatening. This sense of peace, comfort and assurance comes from having that enduring relationship with the Lord, trusting in Him to be our “refuge” and our “dwelling place”, the One who can keep us under His protection always (vs. 9). 

            It is said that when a plague broke out in London during the pastoral tenure of C.H. Spurgeon, he was initially afraid to go out on the streets to minister to his flock for fear of contracting the deadly, devasting illness. However, while endeavoring to make those important pastoral visits, he saw a sign in a store window that disclosed these same verses from Psalm 91. From that point forward, he went on to fulfill his ministerial duties, assured that the Lord would keep him safe amidst the troubled times. 

            There is also one of my favorite quotes from the famous general of the Confederate armies, Stonewall Jackson. Having studied his life at length, I have always been in awe of his faith in the Lord, trusting in Him no matter the circumstances. When asked by a junior officer about this constant assurance in the heat of battle, Jackson replied, “My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would equally brave.”

            Indeed, if we have the same faith in the Lord as did Jackson, Spurgeon and the psalmist, we will and would be able to endure all manner of events, good and bad, knowing that He will always be faithful to us as His people. As we go forward into a different and uncertain future, let our trust not be in the situation but in the One who is sovereign and ruler over all. Only in Him is the peace to continue and to conquer.