To Whom shall we turn?

Just a couple of weeks ago, dear friends of our, in Scotland, received the news that their 26-year-old daughter was in intensive care, as she had been diagnosed with DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis – nobody knew that she was diabetic!). Regretfully, she then developed Covid-19, and was put on a ventilator and into an induced coma. Praise God, she is now on her way to a full recovery, but my wife and I can understand a little of what those parents have gone, and are going, through as it is only a few years since we were informed by our younger daughter that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

I wonder if you have ever received news that was so alarming that it cut you to the core? News that so overwhelmed you to the point that you didn't know what to do? Almost certainly each of us has, at some time, received news that left us distressed, and even devastated, to the point that our world felt as if it had simply dropped out from under us. The questions we must answer in these moments are: "Where will we turn?" and "What will we do?" in the light of this news.

In II Kings 19:1-19 (please look up, and read!), we discover that king Hezekiah has just received horrific news from the officials whom he had dispatched to negotiate with Assyria. (v.1). However, instead of curling up into a ball, or reaching out to some of the other surrounding nations for help, Hezekiah turns to the only Person, and the only Source of strength that he can imagine might offer some form of aid in the light of the nation's bleak circumstances - Almighty God, and His prophet, Isaiah (vs. 2-7). 

Reading on, however, we begin to see how the prophecy from God will play out in undermining the king of Assyria (vs.8-9). We also see that Sennacherib is all the more determined to shake the faith of Hezekiah and the people of Judah, in their God (vs.10-13). Once again, Hezekiah's response is to turn to the only One Whom he knows might offer a way out of this situation - Almighty God.

Each of us will, undoubtedly, face overwhelming odds, and situations, at different times in our lives. Similarly, we will each be faced with answering the questions:  "Where will we turn?" and "What will we do?", in the light of our circumstances. The example of Hezekiah must surely serve as an illustration that no person can be there for us; nothing can save or deliver us; other than the Lord, our God.

He is our Certainty in uncertain times.

No alteration needed!

A few weeks ago, I purchased a new pair of jeans - simply because they were at a bargain price! However, there was a problem - the legs of the jeans were much longer than are mine. Thankfully, I have a wife who is very clever with a sewing needle and she was able to alter the jeans to make them the perfect fit that I wanted.

In every era there has been a spirit of the age that challenges our acceptance of the Bible. The temptation is to remove, or alter, those portions that seem to be old-fashioned, or that don't agree with our own contemporary points of view. Whether it's the doctrine of hell; or God's views on sexual behaviour; or whatever; many feel pressured to reject parts of the Bible. Inevitably, some truths will be offensive in every day, or age.

Many centuries ago, a Jewish king named Jehoi'akim was handed a scroll with a message from God, given through the prophet Jeremiah. As the scroll was read aloud, the king took offence, and we read: "It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house and there was a fire burning in the brazier before him. As Jehu'di read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a penknife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. Yet neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words, was afraid, nor did they rend their garments." (Jer 36:22-24). 

The account continues with Jeremiah being told, by YHWH: "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoi'akim the king of Judah has burned. And concerning Jehoi'akim king of Judah you shall say, 'Thus says YHWH, You have burned this scroll, saying, "Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cut off from it man and beast?" Therefore thus says YHWH concerning Jehoi'akim king of Judah, He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night. And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity; I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they would not hear.'" (Jer 36:28-31). 

In the end, Jehoi'akim did, indeed, lose his kingdom, and his life. In the eleventh year of his reign, he ceased to pay 'tribute' to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, whose vassal he was. Nebuchadnezzar responded by besieging Jerusalem and, according to the Jewish historian, Josephus, Jehoi'akim was killed during the siege, and his body thrown over the city wall.

When we selectively edit the Bible to suit our personal fancy, or when we neglect its teachings, we show that we do not fear (or reverence) Almighty God. Rather than submit to what he says, we exalt our own finite reasoning, and fallible conscience, above His inspired Word. 

Any time you're tempted to overlook, or ignore, a portion of God's Word, because it doesn't fit with your personal plans, remember that "All Scripture (and in context, that applies to the Scriptures of the First [Old] Testament but, in reality, it applies to the whole of the Bible) is given by the inspiration of God." (II Tim.3:16). That written Word tells us all that we need to know to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

He is our Certainty in uncertain times - and His Word is unchanging.

A good witness.

Have you ever stopped to think how people get their idea of Jesus? The frightening truth is that most of them get those ideas from people who claim to be disciples of Jesus! That is people like you and me!

Of course there are those who will immediately respond by saying that they are not evangelists! Neither am I! According to Paul, in his letter to the disciples of Jesus in 1^st century Ephesus, “… His [Jesus’] gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, …” (Eph.4:11-13). So being an “evangelist” is a specific gift of the risen Lord Jesus to the church at large.

However, that same risen Lord spoke to His disciples (and, by extension, to all future disciples) just before His ascension, and return to the Father. He said: “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8).

Do you see the difference? Only some are gifted, by the Lord, to be evangelists. However, when the Lord Jesus spoke those words, he used the plural form of “you”. So, while only some disciples of Jesus are called to be evangelists, all of us are witnesses. How do we witness? By what we are! You and I are witnesses, whether we like it, or not. The only question is “What kind of witness am I?” Am I a good witness, by my life commending to others the One Whom I claim to serve? Or am I pushing more people away from Him than I ever draw to Him?

“Christ has no hands but our hands to do His work today; He has no feet but our feet, to lead men in His way; He has no tongues but our tongues to tell men how He died; He has no help but our help To bring them to His side.

We are the only Bible the careless world will read; we are the sinner’s Gospel, we are the scoffer’s creed. We are the Lord’s last message, given in deed and word; what if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred?

What if our hands are busy with work other than His? What if our feet are walking where sin’s allurement is? What if our tongues are speaking of things His lips would spurn? How can we hope to help Him, and hasten His return?” (Annie Johnson Flint; 1866-1932).

A healthy fear

The story is told that, on  the evening before D-Day in World War II, the captain of a Royal Navy vessel called his men together to prepare them for the crossing of the English Channel on the following morning. He knew that they were filled with anxiety, so he tried to encourage them by saying: "When you stop to think about it, fear is a very healthy thing." A sea-man spoke up: "Captain, if what you say is true, then I'm the healthiest man in the whole Navy!"

Although fear is one of the most harmful of our emotions it can, indeed, be one of the most helpful. The fear of getting burned causes us to handle hot objects with great care. A fear of heights can caution is to keep a safe distance from the edge of a cliff. Fear of failure may motivate us to succeed. At the current time, fear of being infected by the Covid-19 virus is encouraging the majority to "Stay Home; Protect the NHS; Save lives"!

However, as many appear to be realising, the greatest benefit of fear is when it directs us to Father God for His help. David, the shepherd-psalmist-warrior king of Israel, was often in danger. However, he understood that with YHWH as his strength there was nothing, and no-one, he need to fear. So he could pen these words: "YHWH is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? YHWH is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps.27:1).

Does the current situation fill you with fear? Are you facing some other, seemingly insurmountable, challenge? Is your future uncertain? Then let your fear drive you to the Lord. In his first letter to the church at large, the apostle John states: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." (I John 4:18). Of course, the only 'perfect love' is the love of God - the God Who is love (see I John 4: 8, 16). Commit yourself to His care. Trust Him to keep His Word. Count on Him to be faithful. That is how to have a healthy fear! He is our Certainty in uncertain times.

Certainty, in uncertain times - Pt.3

Confidence is often born of experience.  If past events have shown me that I can trust you, then I will have confidence in you in the future.  So we read, in this third devotional thought based on the words of Psalm 46, and in the final section of the psalm, that the psalmists invite their hearers to “Come, behold the works of YHWH.”  “Come”, they say, “see what YHWH, Who is our God, what He has done” “How He has wrought desolations in the earth”

God has acted on behalf of His people, and the outcome of His intervention is peace: “He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariot with fire”. Or, in our 21st century parlance, “He destroys all nuclear weapons; He neutralises all bio-chemical weapons; He decimates all conventional weapons.” Surely no-one could doubt that He had done marvellous things. The rout of the enemy – whoever, or whatever, it may have been, was obviously beyond dispute.

Yet, greater than even the event, was the Divine power that moulded it and, in the cessation of this campaign, the psalmists catch a glimpse of the future inauguration of undisturbed, and universal, peace.  They see, in terms of their own knowledge and experience, that Day of which Paul wrote; that Day when “... at the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth; and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil.2:10-11). As Max Lucado writes in one of his books, “There are no atheists in hell”! (3:16) Think about that one!

The psalm draws to a close with those beautiful words of the Lord Himself: “Be still, and know that I am God” – words that do not, in spite of popular opinion, refer merely to a relaxing repose.  Rather, this is the stillness of the athlete, feet on the blocks, having heard the ‘Get set’, and the ‘Ready’ and, with every muscle straining, but perfectly still, waiting expectantly for the crack of the starting pistol to set him off on the race that lies before him.  And then he runs, knowing that the track is prepared; and with only one end in view – reaching the finishing line.  So Paul writes, again: “... forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13-14; RSV).  The encouragement – nay, the command – to you and to me is to wait expectantly; listening intently for every word that the Lord would graciously speak to us; ready, as one hymn-writer put it, to do His will.

Of course, there are times when we do have to rest.  An American Bible-teacher has written: “It is well for all of us to recognise that our Saviour, in His wisdom, not only leads us, but also makes us lie down, in fulfilling His wise purposes.  Often we desire the thrill of progress, when He knows that we need the reviving stillness of peace.” (de Haan). 

The hymn-writer, May Grimes, combined both aspects in those words, familiar to many of us:

“Speak, Lord, in the stillness; as I wait on Thee. Hushed my heart to listen in expectancy.”

“Be still, and know that I am God” – whether that be the stillness of repose, or the stillness of expectant waiting.

Just before the final refrain, God’s assuring claim rings out: “I shall be exalted among the nations; I shall be exalted in the earth”, words that, again, remind us of those words of Paul to the early followers of Jesus in Philippi.  He is YHWH Sabaoth – the Lord of Hosts; He is the Sovereign King of the universe.

The Sons of Korah had but an imperfect knowledge of all that God was and is.  Yet they could have such a steadfast faith in God, because of their experience of God.  And the call comes to God’s people today – we who have seen so much more of His wonderful love to mankind, in the Lord Jesus; the call to have even greater faith in Him, especially when we live in difficult and uncertain times.

But, mark well; the promise is only to the people of God!  It’s a guarantee, an assurance, a certainty, that comes only with the yielding of our lives to the Christ of the cross; reliance on Him, and Him alone, for salvation; obedience to His will for our individual lives.  But if you are His, then His word comes to you with hope, and encouragement, that He is able to deliver His people from all adversity; that He is still on the throne, in spite of any appearance to the contrary, assuring His people that He is their Confidence, in the midst of the nations; the One in Whom they may have implicit trust.

He, and He alone, is our Certainty in these uncertain times.

Certainty, in uncertain times - Pt 2

A few posts ago, we looked at just the first three verses of Psalm 46. However, the next four verses have also something to say to us in these times of uncertainty. Indeed, we might refer to these verses as the active counterpart to the relative passivity of the previous three. They read: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

Here, YHWH is seen, not merely as the One to Whom we may turn in times of uncertainty, but as the One Who will act positively on our behalf. Or, to use different terminology, He is not only our line of defence, but also our line of attack – our “armed response unit”, as I recall from my years as a Police Force Chaplain!

The emphasis, here, is on the internal resources of the people of God; the security that ensures peace even when it is not only the balance of nature that is upset, but also when rebellious nations rage and threaten.  And don’t we see so much of that today, even in the midst of the Covid-19 crisis?  Just as it was “in the beginning”, say the psalmists, God has only to speak – and it is so: “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts.”

The picture, here, is one of a city under siege.  In such circumstances, a dependable water supply was of paramount importance, and this was something of which the Jewish people were very aware.  Jerusalem, itself, was unique among historical cities in that it had no great river running through it.  All it had was the little thread of water that ran into the pool of Siloam.  And there can be no doubt that this fact was in the minds of the sons of Korah as they penned these words: “There is a river, whose streams make glad the city of God; the holy habitation of the Most High.”  Here is no “shady rill” of the hymn-writer, but a mighty water-course with many streams, or tributaries.  Here is a supply that can meet every conceivable need.  Here is certainty, even in uncertain times such as those in which we currently live.

The psalmists are speaking, of course, not of any literal river but, symbolically, of the inner strength of God’s city; His active, and life-giving, Presence.  “God is in the midst of her”, they go on, “she shall not be moved!” 

This concept of a river is echoed in the N.T., in the Revelation given to John, in which the apostle sees “the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, through the middle of the street of the city.” (Rev. 22:1-2) – and the city of which he writes is the new Jerusalem which, in itself, is symbolic of the consummation of God’s saving purpose for mankind.

 And, of course, the thought of the city of God includes the people of God.  So the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit is the limitless resource of those whose trust is in the living God, through Jesus, the Son.  “If God be for us,” the apostle Paul was to write to the young church in Rome, “who can be against us?” (Rom.8:31).  I believe that the sons of Korah would have said a hearty “Amen” to that – and so may we if we are truly His!  Almighty God is the active help of His own people, in overcoming whatever rage and fury may be in the world, because He is in the midst of them.  He is still our Certainty in uncertain times. May we look to Him, and Him alone.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory, and grace.”

He's Alive!

It was in 1968 that a young American preacher named Arthur Blessitt started "touring" the world (or, at least, a major part of it!) carrying a wooden cross. Fifty-three years later, he is still going strong, having covered 43,326 walking miles, and visited every nation, and every major island group; some 324 countries. His purpose - to be obedient to the command of the Lord Jesus to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation." ((Mark 16:15).

When he was in Glasgow, in the early days of his travels, he preached in St George's Tron parish Church (then under the ministry of Rev George B Duncan, one of the most evangelical congregations in the country) and, as one of the members of the congregation who was a Divinity student, I had the pleasure of meeting him. However, my lasting memory is of what he shared about Resurrection Day. I do not recall his words verbatim, but they went something like this:

"On that early morning, after Shabbat, there was a shaking of the earth so that the guards at the Garden Tomb fell down as if they were dead men. The stone that covered the entrance to the tomb, slowly rolled away - and the Lord Jesus walked out of that tomb, alive for evermore. And the grasses in the garden sung: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!" The flowers and the shrubs picked up the refrain: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!" The message was shared by the bushes and the trees: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!" The birds of the air carried the message beyond the Garden: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!" The hills and the mountains added their voices: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!" The song rose on the wind, and reached the clouds: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!" And to the very gates of heaven, the most joyous of songs poured forth: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!"

That is the message of Resurrection Day! "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!"

We may be living, as many of us sincerely believe, in the very last days before time is brought to an end. We are surrounded by wars, and rumours of wars; by reports of earthquakes and tsunamis; by pestilence and disease. Yet this song may be sung with great joy: "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!"

May all who read this post be blessed as we celebrate that glorious resurrection. May any who do not celebrate it, be encouraged to look at the evidence - evidence that shows, beyond any shadow of doubt - that "Jesus is risen; the stone is rolled away; Glory. Hallelujah!"

Black Saturday

On Thursday, my wife planted some seeds in the garden. So far, nothing has happened! Perhaps she should dig them up, and check that they are okay!

Of course, any gardener would be horrified at such a suggestion. Each seed may be in the ground, where it is dark and lonely. There may be no visible sign of anything happening. But most people are aware that there is much taking place, as that seed germinates, that we cannot see with the naked eye. However, in time, there will be green shoots appearing.  A work had been going on, even although we could not see it.

Today is the day referred to as “Black Saturday”. It is the day between Good Friday, and Resurrection Day (I prefer not to use the derivative of the name of a pagan ‘goddess’!). Yesterday, we remembered that, almost 2,000 years ago, the body of the Lord Jesus was laid in a tomb. A large stone was rolled across the entrance to the tomb. The stone was sealed. Inside the tomb, it was dark, and lonely. A guard was posted. They saw nothing.

Saturday, of course, is the Jewish “Shabbat”. It is a day when devout Jews refrain from any form of physical work.  But in the lonely darkness of the tomb, a work was going on, the result of which continues to reverberate throughout the world. Friday had gone; it was still only Saturday – but Sunday was coming!

In the relative darkness of the Covid-19 days in which we live, we may – indeed, we must – have hope. The One Who was in control 2,000 years ago, is still in control today. I don’t know exactly what was happening in that tomb on that Shabbat. I don’t know exactly what Almighty God is doing with this virus. What I do know, is that He is working – as surely as He was working those millennia ago; as surely as He is working on those seeds in our garden.

Jesus said; “The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, every man to his home, and will leave Me alone; yet I am not alone, for the Father is with Me.” (John.16:32).

If you are truly “in Christ Jesus” (Rom.8:1), then the Father is with you also. However dark the day; however difficult the situation; however dismal the prospects; you are not alone. He, and He alone, is our Certainty, in uncertain times.

“Low in the grave He lay; Jesus, my Saviour. Waiting the coming day; Jesus my Lord.”

It was Saturday – but Sunday was still coming!

"Good" Friday?!

It’s Good Friday”! It’s the day on which millions recall, specifically, the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, at the hand of the Roman occupiers, and at the instigation of the Jewish hierarchy. Crucifixion – one of the cruellest forms of executing the death penalty. Yet we refer to this as “Good” Friday! Why?

These are difficult and troubled times in which we live. Social isolation means that many families are unable to meet together as they normally would at this time of Passover (for Jews) and Resurrection (for disciples of Jesus). But the times 2,000 years ago were also troubled.  If you have access to a Bible, or even just a New Testament (and, if you are reading this online, then you have access to both!), please turn to John 19, and read the first thirty verses.

Most of us like stories that end with “… and they lived happily ever after.”! I finished a novel yesterday. I won't share the full story but, at the end, a young detective was fatally wounded. The woman he had been helping visits his grave:

"You were a good man," she said, " and it wasn't supposed to happen like this. But how often do things turn out like they should, you know? Happy endings aren't always happy for everyone. I think about you a lot. I wonder about what you'd be doing, where you'd be right now. You're here because of me, and - I haven't figured out how to deal with that yet, but I'll keep coming back until I do, I promise. Maybe after that, too. See you next week, okay?" (Sara's Game; Ernie Lindsey).

"Happy endings aren't always happy for everyone."

From a human perspective, that Shabbat eve certainly didn't end well for Jesus - or for His disciples. I was speaking with a friend in Germany only a half-hour ago. Referring to the Covid-19 situation he asked, "Did you ever think that something like this could happen?" The same question could have been asked of the disciples and, in spite of all the hints, suggestions, and clear teaching that the Lord Jesus had given them, things had not turned out as they had expected. Who would have thought? Who would have imagined? But it happened. On that Friday, which seemed to be anything but 'good', those who were there could have cried out: "We live in troubled times!" And they would have been correct! They lived in troubled times - as do we at this season of Pâques. 

However, it is a sad fact of life that bad things happen to good people! remember that occasion on which "There were some present at that very time who told [Jesus] of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Silo'am fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:1-5). Bad things happen to good people!

We, too, live in troubled times, and it's not just because of the Covid-19 virus. It's because we live in a twisted, and broken world. "We know," writes Paul, "that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now;" (Rom 8:22). It's because sin entered the perfect world that Father God had created - and bad things happen to good people: perhaps more often than we want to admit!

Those who stood at the cross almost 2,000 years ago saw nothing "good" about what was happening. But they did not have the advantage that you and I have of being able to look from what was, to them, the future. We know that the "good" of Good Friday is the good that we may gain from it. We know how the story unfolds. We know that Sunday was coming - and the story would be different. We know that it was all in the plan and purpose of Father God Who loves us so much that, in the Persona of the Lord Jesus, He paid the penalty for your sins and for mine. "For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." (II Cor 5:21). Ponder those words. The spotless, sinless, perfect Son not only "... bore our sins in His body on the tree," (I Peter 2:24). He actually became sin. He became sin in all of its vileness; its blackness; its depravity; its wickedness; its evil; its degradation. I believe that it was at that moment in time, that in eternity, the Father Who cannot even look upon sin, turned away from the dearly-beloved Son - and that Son cried out, in agony of spirit, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me ?" (Matt 27:46).

He paid a debt He did not owe; because you, and I, owed a debt we could not pay. And that is the GOOD News about this day.

Of course, that leaves us, each one, with a choice. The inestimable gift of the Lord Jesus is available to all - but we must accept it. Father God does not force salvation upon any individual. We must each come to Him, in faith, by His grace, trusting Him with our lives, for all of the time that we have left in this mortal life.

Have you done that? If not, why not? Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring - the Covid-19 virus has made that fact abundantly clear! But those who are "... in Christ Jesus." (Rom.8:1) need not fear. We don't know what the future holds - but we know the One Who holds the future in His hand. I commend you to His love and care.

Certainty - in uncertain times!

This morning, I received a 'phone-call from a dear friend and brother in the Lord. He has been sending out a daily devotional to a number of people of his acquaintance, and asked if I would prepare something that he could send out tomorrow. I agreed to do so, but have realised that it might be worth making available to others through my blog, and through Facebook. 

Along with countless others, I am a lover of the Book of Psalms – the “hymnbook” of the Children of Israel. One of my (many!) favourites is Psalm 46, the psalm that was the starting-point for Martin Luther’s great Reformation battle-hymn: “Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott” – “A mighty fortress is our God”.

The Psalm starts with these words:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.” (vs.1-3)

These are words that remind us that our God – the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Christ, is our refuge in times of chaos. And are not the times in which we currently live, chaotic? The Covid-19 virus may be invisible to the naked eye – but what an effect it is having on our contemporary world! No-one needs me to spell out the health issues; the changes in lifestyle; the uncertainty; that surround us – here in France; in the UK; and around the globe.

Yet the Sons of Korah, the composers of this psalm, could face any uncertainty with certainty because: “God is our refuge and strength; a very present (or well-proved, or easily found) help in time of trouble.  Therefore we will not fear ...”   Our true security, our true confidence, our true certainty, is in God – not in God plus anything, but in God alone.

Throughout history, Almighty God has been the refuge and defence of His people; sufficient for all of their needs; the unchanging One in Whom they have found their shelter.  And so, assert the Sons of Korah, even if the primeval chaos of Gen.1:2 should return, when “The earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep ...”; even if “... the earth should change” and “... the mountains shake in the heart of the sea.”; God’s people will not fear.

I have no more knowledge of the future than any of us. However, even in these uncertain times, I may have certainty – certainty that the God of Ages is in control; certainty that He still knows the end from the beginning; certainty that “… in everything [He] works for good with those who love Him, who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28).

May all who read these words have that same certainty; and to Him, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, be all the honour, all the praise, all the thanksgiving, and all the glory.

“A mighty fortress is our God; a bulwark never failing.

Our Helper, He, amidst the flood of mortal ills prevailing.

For still, our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe.

His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate;

On earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.

And ’though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly pow’rs, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth;
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.”

COVID-19 Freedom!

The following is a translation of an e-mail that I have received from Portes Ouvertes - the French 'branch' of Open Doors, supporting the persecuted church. It is another reminder that "every cloud has a silver lining", and that, however the situation may look, our God is still on the throne, and in control of His creation.

Uzbekistan: more freedom thanks to COVID-19

The pandemic COVID-19 virus now affects the whole planet, and the populations concerned. But there is a surprising 'upside' as evidenced by the disciples of Jesus in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan, in Central Asia, is a country in which disciples of Jesus are severely persecuted. In the current World Index of Persecution of Christians, it take 18th place out of the fifty countries that are n the Index. Freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution, but does not exist in everyday life. The churches are strictly controlled by the authorities, and police raids are frequent. But things have changed since the Covid-19 epidemic entered the country! The first thing that the Uzbekistan government did was to close the borders, and impose strict containment. City streets are almost empty, with no public transport. Of course, all religious services are prohibited but are, when possible, held online. What has surprised everyone, however, is that the authorities have asked Christians to gather in homes and families - something that was prohibited before the onset of the epidemic! This is a real blessing for small churches, not officially registered, and usually repressed by the police. Only large supermarkets and open-air markets are operating, but no-one knows how to survive. Most of those confined to their homes are without work, or income - or support from the authorities. Some believers from a local church have, therefore, bought food, and visited the poor of the neighbourhood to offer them a food parcel. This local action has had an amazing effect. In one week, ten people came to faith in the Lord Jesus. One of the believers from that group says: "In a difficult period, we have to be wise and prudent, and follow all safety rules. At the same time, we will not be afraid and hide." He added: "we want to bring light and hope, support those in need, and express God's love to people." Since it is forbidden to go out without a mask, on penalty of a fine, other believers have bought 100 masks which they have distributed freely, taking the opportunity to share the Gospel message. The situation is almost the same in some neighbouring countries. Again, Christians are taking initiatives to support those confined to their homes, and frightened by the situation. In Kazakhstan, for example, people are watching, with interest, the films that Christians are sharing online, with many saying how much this improves their current situation. In Kyrgyzstan, believers are meeting is small groups to pray, either in homes, or online. They are also supporting the poor with packages of provisions. Christians in Russia, from most denominations, are united in prayer for the country, and for the world. Sadly, in Turkmenistan, Christians are saddened as the authorities hide information, and no-one knows how serious the situation is - leading to a measure of panic. So, the Covid-19 virus, the source of so much upheaval, is also a factor of unity among these persecuted believers, and an opportunity for them to enjoy some relative freedom. Let us unite in prayer for disciples of Jesus in Central Asia - and let us follow their example by being united with other believers in our own localities, and seizing every opportunity to express God's love to our neighbours. Let us pray that the church in these countries will be better thought of by both the authorities and the populations.

The Romans' Road, Part 2

In yesterday's post, I introduced the Romans' Road - a 'map' that uses Paul's great Letter to the early disciples of Jesus, in the city of Rome, to set out a path, or road, to full salvation.

In that post, we had looked at the need to believe that Almighty God exists; the need to realise that you and I are sinners who need forgiveness; and the need to accept that Father God, out of His great love for us, has demonstrated that love by providing the potential for a new life, in Him, through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus, the Christ - Almighty God in the very human flesh that He had created.

However, as we move on to step 4, we need to realise that knowledge without action is of no use at all! If we remain sinners, we will die both physically (as is the lot of everyone until the rapture of the saints) and spiritually. However, if we repent of our sins, and accept the Lord Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we shall have, here and now, eternal life - that is, the very life of Almighty God in us! 

So Paul writes: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 6:23). Centuries before, the Jewish prophet Isaiah had written these inspired words: "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you so that He does not hear." (Isa 59:1-2). This is an Old Testament call to repentance! 

Perhaps the best-know words from the New Testament - John 3:16 - go further than those specific words: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God." (John 3:16-18). Please note the high-lighted words. That word "have" is in the present tense. That means, as I have indicated above, that the new life in Jesus is not just something for after our physical death. It's something that we experience, and enjoy, here and now! And notice the phrase that is highlighted. Again, the tense is the present. When I believe (and the Greek word could be translated "have faith in" or "put my trust in") the Lord Jesus, I am no longer under Gods' condemnation! What an offer! And it is free to all who come to Jesus, in simple faith; confessing, and repenting of, their sin; and asking for His salvation!  

Step 5 is simple to understand - but not always easy to do! Paul writes: "... if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved." (Rom 10:9-11). Oh, and ladies - "man" is used here generically, so you are fully included! Paul further writes, to the disciples of Jesus in Ephesus: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God - not because of works, lest any man should boast." (Eph 2:8-9). This is a reminder that we bring nothing to our salvation - except the sin, and sinfulness, from which we need to be saved. All is of Him - His love; His grace.

That leads us on to Step 6. There are no special rituals; there is no "magic formula"; "... there is no distinction ...; the same Lord is Lord of all and bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him. For, 'every one who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved'." (Rom 10:12-13). 

The final step encourages you to determine, in your own heart, to make Jesus, the Christ, Lord of your life - today! "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom 12:1-2).

The "Romans' Road" shows you the pathway. Are you ready to set out on that path? If you have decided to receive Jesus as your personal Saviour, and Lord, then may I welcome you to the biggest, and most wonderful, family in the world?! May I also encourage you to follow up on your commitment, and grow closer to Him by:

• telling someone else about your new faith, and life, in Jesus;
• being baptised, on your own confession of faith, as commanded in the Scriptures;
• spending time with God, each day, by reading His Word, and praying to Him. This doesn't need to be a long time, at the beginning, although as you are drawn ever closer to Him, you will discover that you want to spend more time in His presence!;
• seeking fellowship with other genuine disciples of Jesus. This is often done, most easily by
• finding a local group of believers, who accept the Bible as God's Word, and who seek to live by its teaching, in the power of God the Holy Spirit. I would be happy to help you find such a group in your area. Sadly, just as not every person who claims to be a "Christian" is a genuine disciple of Jesus, so not every group that refers to itself as "church" is Christ-, and Bible-centred!

It's a wonderful life, That I have been travelling for, now, more than sixty years. I have not been Jesus' best disciple - but that's why I am so glad that my salvation depends, not on anything that I may have achieved, but solely, and completely, on His finished work on the cross of Calvary. 

Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus.

The Romans' Road; Part 1

If you have read through the Biblical texts in the previous post (and, if you have not yet done so, I would encourage you to go there now!) you may have noticed that, out of a total of ten Biblical text, three (i.e. 30%) were from Paul's great letter to the believers in 1st century Rome.

Paul's Letter to the Roman believers is, of course, one of the greatest books in the written Word of God. My thoughts about what heaven will be like keep changing, as I get older. However, if I do have the opportunity to sit down with Paul, I shall ask him to go through Romans with me, and explain all the parts that I still have difficulty understanding to any degree of fulness!

One aspect of Romans that I do understand is what has been described as "The Romans' Road" - a well-engineered pathway to full salvation. None of the following is, therefore, original. I share it because, for many, it may be new. I share it, because there may be someone who reads this post, and who, in the providence of Almighty God, is ready to set out on that road. May it be a blessing to all who read - but especially to anyone who may find new life in the Lord Jesus, the Christ, as they travel along it.

The Romans' Road starts, appropriately, at the beginning. In what we know (although remember that none of the Bible books were written in chapters and verses!) as the first chapter of Paul's great letter, we read: "Ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature, namely, His eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honour Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened." (Rom 1:20-21). We know, of course, that "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen 1:1), but if we wish to walk this road, then we must acknowledge Almighty God as the Creator of everything, humbly accepting our own position in His created order and purposes. The writer of the Letter to Hebrew disciples of Jesus wrote: "... without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him." (Heb 11:6).

Is this where you need to be - just at the beginning of the road? Do you need to accept that you are but a mortal being, whose life may be snuffed out at any moment - even by something as small as a virus, as is happening to so many at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic? If you refuse to believe that He even exists, then you are not able to take even the first step on this road! Please look at the evidence - it's all around you. 

However, if you are able to take that first step, then you may move on to the second one. And that is simply that we must realise that we are sinners, and that we need forgiveness. Many believe that they will go to heaven because they have lived a "good" life, done some charity work, been baptised as an infant, attended church 'regularly'("I never miss the Christmas Eve Service"!), or treated others fairly. However, Paul writes in Romans 3:23 that "... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,". In other words, none of us (and the word "none" is a contraction of "not one"), judged by God's standards, is worthy. Each of us is a sinner - and that is not the easiest thing to admit. It hits us where it hurts - in our pride! But it's true, and it is an essential step on this road.

Remember how that came about. Almighty God had created a perfect world, and two perfect beings - the man, Adam, and the woman, Eve. However, "... the serpent was more subtle than any other wild creature that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat of any tree of the garden'? And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'' But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.' So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons. 

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, 'Where are you?' And he said, 'I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.' He said, 'Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?' The man said, "The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.' Then the Lord God said to the woman, 'What is this that you have done?. The woman said, 'The serpent beguiled me, and I ate.'" (Gen 3:1-13). Sin had entered the world, and we are all born in sin. You are not a sinner because you sin; you sin because you are a sinner. That is your nature, and there is nothing that you can do about it!

Just one more step in this post (we'll share the remainder in the next one!). It's not really a step that we must take, but more of a truth that we must accept - and in which we may rejoice. That truth, Paul shares in Romans 5:8 - "... God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." You and I can do nothing about our sinful nature but, praise God, He can - and He has! He has given us the way by which our sins may be forgiven, and our sinful nature renewed. That way was to come into the realm of time, in the very human flesh that He had created, in the Persona (not a typo - see the chapter on the Trinity in my book "Great Words of the Faith"; link at the top of the page. ALL royalties sent directly to Release International in support of the persecuted church) of the Son, the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

It was on a cross, on a hill outside the ancient city of Jerusalem, that He became the One Who paid the penalty for your sins, and for mine. As someone has said, and I often quote: "He paid a debt that He did not owe, because I owed a debt that I could not pay".

Well there are still a few steps to take on this Romans' Road. But that is all for now. Be sure to check Part 2. Blessings, and shalom.