The Gate of the Year!

It may not be altogether wise to refer to the Chinese at this time, but I believe that they are the only nation to give specific names to each calendar year. The year 2020, that is now coming to an end, was named "The Year of the Rat". Rats are powerful symbols of fertility, wealth and plenty, so people born in the Year of the Rat are considered to be optimistic, easy-going and kind, if a bit too direct. I wonder if the year will be looked back on as The Year of the Mask! I should note, by the way, that the Chinese New Year is a movable event, and that, for the Chinese, 2021 will not commence until Feb.12th!

I end the annual newsletter that my wife and I send out at this time, with these words: “So another, and most unusual, year has come to an end.  It would be a brave person who, with the evidence of the past 12 months to recall, would forecast anything about 2021. However, this is where we believe that our Christian faith is of great importance.  As someone once said: “We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future.”

Of course, 2020 has not been the only year in which there has been a worldwide crisis. In September 1939, Great Britain had entered what was to become the Second World War - just 21 years after the war to end all wars! The current Queen was, at that time the thirteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth. Her father, George VI was the reigning monarch and, as had become the custom, he spoke to the nation, by radio, on Christmas Day. In those uncertain last days of 1939, the king spoke words of peace that sought to calm the nation. He reminded them of the only true King, the One Who, alone, can provide true peace and real rest in such troubled times.  As he concluded his message of encouragement, he read the preamble of a poem that had been brought to his attention by the young Princess Elizabeth.

The poem that the Princess brought to her father’s attention was written by British poet Minnie Louise Haskins (1875-1957).  Published in 1908 it was titled God Knows. Years later, the poem gained popularity with a new title, The Gate of the Year, taken from the poem’s first line. It reads:

"And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied:

“Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East."  

King George read the poem to reassure the British people that their future was secure - in the hands of God. That wisdom that was true for the British people then, is also true for all of us today!

As the new year dawns, let us remember that God is our only safe harbour. He is our only true hope. He will lead and direct our lives when we put our trust in Him.  If we are willing to allow Him, He will light our path, and direct our steps, as we enter this new year.

We may not know what the future holds - but we may, through a saving faith in the Lord Jesus, know Him Who holds the future.

May all who read this blog post enjoy that relationship, and have a very good New Year. 

We never know the moment!

The name of Robert Rafferty will not mean anything to the vast majority of people. He was, however, the Chief Steward on the ss Edmund Fitzgerald - a freighter that was, when launched in 1958 at 26,000 tons DWT, the largest ship sailing on the North American Great Lakes. On November 3rd, 1975, Chief Steward Rafferty wrote to his wife: "I may be home by November 8th, However, nothing is ever sure."

On November 10th, in a ferocious storm on Lake Superior, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. With near hurricane-force winds, and waves up to 35' high, she may have been swamped but, to this day, no-one knows for certain what caused the tragedy. What is known is that all 29 crew members perished - including Chief Steward Rafferty. The prophetic irony of those last words to his wife should not be lost on anyone!

That, of course, is only one tragedy out of countless numbers. I have visited the Japanese city of Nagasaki, on which the second atomic bomb was dropped at the end of the Second World War. I have seen a section of wall - with a human being fused into it! It is estimated that some 40,000 people died instantly, with a similar number dying in the following months as a result of injuries, burns, and radiation exposure.

On December 22nd, 1999, in South Lanarkshire, a home in the town of Larkhall was totally destroyed by a gas explosion. Andrew Findlay, his wife Jeanette, and their two children - Stacy (13 years of age) and Daryll (11 years of age), died in the explosion.

Not a day passes without a reminder that our earthly lives can end at any moment - and often without any notice. All that we need to do is to read the obituary columns! One message comes across, loudly and clearly: "We're here today - but we may be gone tomorrow!"

I am currently working on the fourth book on my series on getting to know the Christian Faith. This is is to be entitled "Living the Faith", and is being based on the letter from the apostle James, the half-brother of the Lord Jesus, the Christ. It is a very practical letter - and it acknowledges this suddenness with which death may touch us. "What is your life?" asks James. The answer he provides is: "It is even a vapour that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away." (4:14).

Although Benjamin Franklin, one of the "founding fathers" of the USA, is often credited with the quotation, it was actually another writer - Christopher Bullock - who first penned the thought "It is impossible to be sure of anything but death and taxes". However, the claim is not quite true, as it it possible, in some cultures at least, to never have to pay taxes!

But is our only certainty, then, the sobering prospect that, at any moment we may be thrust into eternity - however we may conceive of it? Not for the disciple of Jesus! That same Jesus is the anchor of the soul. He paid the penalty for your sins, and mine, when He hung on a cross at Calvary. If we are willing, and humble enough, to confess our sins before Father God, and to accept that salvation that was won for us at such a great cost, then we will receive forgiveness, and eternal life, as we place our trust, solely and completely, in Him. He has promised to be with us, even in the hour of death, and we may depend on His promises.

Does your earthly life sometimes seem to be futile because nothing is ever sure? Then trust in Him, the perfect Lamb of God. He provides a joyous certainty about eternity that can be yours - right now! It's never too soon to accept the new life that Jesus offers; but, at any moment, it may be too late!

Loving others.

Mankind is, by its fallen nature, selfish. The philosophy of life of so many is expressed in the words of the world's first murderer: "...am I my brother's keeper?" (Gen.4:9). In our contemporary situation, we may hear: "I'm alright, Jack; I do not care for you!"; "You have to put yourself first!"; "I'm looking after No.1!"

Of course, this is not the pattern for anyone who claims to be a disciple of Jesus, the Christ. As we grow in grace, we should begin to think more of others, and less of ourselves. Paul writes: "... let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not please himself; " (Rom 15:2-3).

I recently read the story of two soldiers who had just been released from a prison camp in Siberia, at the end of the Second World War. "We did our best," an officer later reported, "to repatriate the men as quickly as possible, but many were still there when the winter ice threatened to close the port."  Only a limited number could board the last small boat. Among those who were awaiting transport were two soldiers who had been mates right through the war. One of them was selected to leave, but the other was one who would have to be left behind. Because of the space limitations, the order was given that those who were leaving could bring with them only one kit-bag. 

The heart of the man who was chosen went out to his comrade-in-arms. He immediately emptied his kit-bag of its prized souvenirs and his few personal belongings, and told his companion to get into the canvas sack. Then, carefully lifting the bag on to his shoulders, he boarded the vessel with his friend. Just one kit-bag - but a very precious content! This was a man who truly loved beyond himself.

As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, many of us remember that the One Who was born in Bethlehem, some 2,000 years ago, was not an ordinary infant. He was Almighty God Incarnate (in the flesh). "Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; Hail! the incarnate Deity." He grew up; was recognised as a rabbi (teacher); spoke words of love and encouragement to many - and words of challenge and condemnation to others!; was put through mockeries of trials; declared to be guilty; crucified, and entombed. Why? that is a question on which I have preached on a number of occasions. However, one simple answer is that He went through all of that for you, and for me. He " ... bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness." (I Peter 2:24). He put you, and me, first. That should be the goal of each of us. His is the great example.

As most of us enjoy the coming celebrations, let us be careful to think of others as well as of ourselves. Let us remember that the Child in the manger, became the Christ of the cross - and let us worship and adore Him as is His right.

Terrorist attack in London.

At the outbreak of the Second World War there were around 80,000 potential enemy aliens in Britain who, it was feared, could be spies, or willing to assist Britain's enemies in the event of an invasion. All Germans and Austrians over the age of 16 were called before special tribunals and were divided into one of three groups:

• 'A' - high security risks, numbering just under 600, who were immediately interned;
• 'B' - 'doubtful cases', numbering around 6,500, who were supervised and subject to restrictions;
• 'C' - 'no security risk', numbering around 64,000, who were left at liberty. More than 55,000 of category 'C' were recognised as refugees from Nazi oppression. The vast majority of these were Jewish.

As the war continued, more and more Germans and Austrians were rounded up. When, in June 1940, Italy and Britain went to war, there were at least 19,000 Italians in Britain, and Churchill ordered that they all be rounded up. This was despite the fact that most of them had lived in Britain for decades.

In 1971, the UK government introduced internment of terrorist suspects in Northern Ireland. Although it could be, and has been, argued that this may not have been the wisest course of action in the particular circumstances, it does show what can be achieved if there is the political will to achieve it!

In the light of the murderous attack at Westminster on Wednesday, may I suggest - as many others have done - that it is time for the calling before similar tribunals, of all Muslim males over the age of 12 (radicalisation takes place long before 16!), and the internment of all who are deemed to be high security risks - and even the "doubtful" cases? I am fully aware that not every Muslim living in the UK is a jihadist. However, I am also aware that jihadists do not go around displaying a lapel badge to identify themselves. 

Regretfully, we do not currently have a Churchill in 10 Downing Street. Instead, we have a woman who was, in the opinion of many, a totally useless Home Secretary - who reduced the number of police officers in England, Wales, and N.Ireland - and is now revealing herself to be a useless Prime Minister!

Jesus said, "... he that is not against us is for us." (Mark.9:39-40), and it is perhaps time that the British government threw out the so-called "Human Rights Act" - that, in terms of truly basic human rights, is not really necessary in the UK - so that effective measures may be taken against all who seek to destroy the peace that should be expected in an allegedly democratic nation during peacetime.

The numbers involved are, of course, higher than in the Second World War - but women and younger children would be excluded (unless there was reasonable cause to intern some females who appear to be happy to support jihadists). However it is reckoned that over 70% of "refugees" are young men of fighting age, and we know, from the evidence of our own eyes, that the vast majority of the "children" who have been accepted into the UK are in their late teens, and twenties. 

As we mourn the deaths that occurred on Wednesday, and those that have taken place since, but as a direct result of Wednesday's events; and as we express our genuine concern for those who have been injured - with some of them still on the critical list; may those who have accepted the responsibility of governing us, be willing to take positive, effective, action that will , if not guarantee, at least increase, the safety of the general public, and of the members of the emergency services who, yet again, showed their true calibre in the selfless assistance that they rendered to others in the immediate aftermath of that Islamist terrorist attack. 

VJ Day.

These past few days have seen a great deal of activity in connection with the 70th anniversary of VJ Day - the day on which the Japanese Forces formally surrendered to the Allies, and brought to an end what we refer to as the Second World War.  Of course, the pre-cursor to that event was the horrific consequences of the dropping of two Atomic Bombs on Japan - the first on the city of Hiroshima, the second on Nagasaki.

I have never been to Hiroshima - but I have been to Nagasaki, and visited the Peace Memorial Hall in the Peace Park.  It was an unforgettable experience.  One does not easily forget the image of a human being literally burned into a wall!  

There is still much debate about the morality of those bombings.  The deaths of some 250,000 people - the vast majority of whom were civilians - may be claimed to have saved the lives of many times that number if the alternative invasion of Japan had taken place.  However, I imagine that that was little consolation to those who survived the atomic bombs and the aftermath of radiation sickness and associated conditions.

As I read about some of the commemorative events, my mind went back some 2,000 years, and to a hill named Calvary.   There, one man died, on a wooden cross - and did so voluntarily.  He died, not that some tens of thousands of people might live, but that the whole of mankind might have the opportunity to be saved from the ravages of sin - it's power; its penalty, and, ultimately, its very presence.

That man, of course, was no ordinary man.  That Man was Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, in the Persona of the Son, in human flesh.  He lived a perfect, sinless, life - so that He could be the perfect sacrifice that paid the penalty for your sin and for mine.   Some debate the morality of that sacrifice, too.   Of course, the difference is that Jesus was willing to die for us.  The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were not given the choice!

Some 250,000 died that perhaps three times that number might live.  One died, that each and every one of us might live - not just now, but throughout eternity!  Of course, salvation is not forced upon anyone.  You must make that decision for yourself.   It would have been tragic if, after the bombings on those Japanese cities, the Allied troops had still invaded the country, and hundreds of thousands had still died conventionally.  The loss of life due to the bombings would have been a total waste.

Did Jesus die for you so that you could continue to live your life without Him?  Or are you willing to hand your life over to Him - confessing your sins and your sinfulness; repenting; inviting Him to take control of your life.  It's the way to real life!  Jesus gave us that assurance: "I have come that you might have life - and have it in all its fulness." (John 10:10).

The choice is yours.  The consequences are eternal.  Make sure that you make the right choice!