When Storm Clouds Gather

 

   For those of us who care about the moral fabric of our country, the Supreme Court decision on Wednesday was disappointing.  As I busied myself with chores around our home, I deliberately kept the T.V. off as I knew the news channels would beat the subject to death.  Instead, I turned on inspirational hymns and music that soothe my mind.
     By late afternoon, I came across a wonderful article written by Dr. Albert Mohler entitled "'Waiting for the Other Shoe' - the Supreme Court Rules on Same-Sex Marriage" (the article can be found at Albertmohler.com ).  There was comfort in his words and wisdom.  Then, on Thursday, a dear friend posted to her Facebook page another great article entitled "The Right Side of History is Full of Rewrites" by Ted Olsen.  I found the article well written and thought out as it presents the history of the conflict of moral world views which has been raging for some time (the article can be read in full at Christianity Today - http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/june-web-only/same-sex-marriage-supreme-court-doma-right-side-of-history-.html?start=4 ).
     As I prayed about what I had read and discussed the issues at hand with my husband, I came to a place of peace in my heart.  Why?  God has written in His Word the story of man's life from creation to the culmination of end times.  He is sovereign over all the affairs of men so He is not surprised by this decision.  Likewise, just because a branch of government issues their decision does not negate the truth that is found in the Bible.  What God has said, He will do.  What He has begun, He will complete with or without man's cooperation.  We do not have the total picture of what our Lord is doing behind the scenes.  We only see in part, but one day we will understand and see God's total plan unfolded before our eyes when we enter heaven.
     When I consider Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his example during the reign of Hitler, I find someone who did not flinch under the restrictions placed upon Christians and the church.  Instead, he continued to teach, preach and work to preserve the truth of God's Word.  Often, when the church is persecuted or limited in some way, this is the time when the greatest growth is about to happen.  This is how I view what is taking place in our country now.  So what can we do?
     First, I believe we are called to pray even as Daniel did.  Daniel lived in a pagan culture, but he never neglected to pray to God daily.  When he was ordered to stop this practice, he was willing to be thrown to the lions.  We know that God preserved his life and kept him from harm.  He followed God's Law and not man's.  Prayer avails much and we need to diligently seek the Lord daily for our nation, our leaders, and our families.
     Secondly, we are called to stand.  Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus admonished these believers to put on God's full armor so they would be able to combat the enemy of their souls.  Chapter 6:13 reads:  "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."  The victory, we must remember, belongs to those who stand firm in their faith and demonstrate the love of Christ.  The battle belongs to the Lord who alone has the power and authority over the enemy of our souls.
     Finally, we are to live in the strength of the Holy Spirit daily so that we may demonstrate to our culture what a Christian looks like.  As we live out biblical marriage, love our neighbors as ourselves, and serve where God has placed us, we will be living witnesses to the truth found in the Bible.  In addition, we need to tell others the Good News and the hope that is within us.  This is the greatest need we have in our country at this time.
     Many of us felt a blow to our mid-section this week with the decision by the court.  However, I am reminded of a similar blow struck against our country when the Japanese attacked us at Pearl Harbor.  A famous Japanese naval General Isoroku Yamamoto is quoted as saying after this attack:  "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."  Indeed, he was right.  However, the weapons of our warfare come from the sword of God's Word and they are not aimed at flesh and blood as Ephesians 6:12 tells us:  "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  We must remember where the darkness comes from and further, that we are to be the lights which illumine this world.  God has chosen us from before the foundation of the world for such a time as this.  Take heart and join me in prayer for our nation and world.  More than ever, let us strive to be holy even as God is holy so that we might shine brightly at this time in His-story.  We know how the Bible ends.  Let us share this Good News with others that they too may come into the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.  Selah!

A Promise and a Sign

     Looming large over our community as I was driving home last night was the most vivid and spectacular rainbow.  My picture does not do it justice but it was the best I could do on my iPhone through the window of my vehicle.  Each time I see a beautiful rainbow, I remember God's promise to Noah never to destroy the earth by a great flood again.  It was a covenant that the Lord made with Noah, his family and the beasts of the earth.  Genesis 9:9-11,13,16  : "'Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth.  I establish my covenant with you that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth..... I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth...... When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.'"
     Somehow when I witness a rainbow, it has always been more than just a sign of God's covenant about destroying the earth.  As I gaze at it, I feel a peace deep within my heart because I know that, unlike man, God is a covenant keeper.  His Word can be trusted.  His promises are sure, and He never changes.  Numbers 23:19 states this about God's character:  "God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind.  Has He said, and will He not do it?  Or has He spoken and will He not fulfill it?"  Sadly, man makes vows or promises on a regular basis only to break them.  Yet, God is holy, righteous and just.  When He makes a covenant with man, He will always keep His part of the agreement.
     There have been many times when I have been in a quandary over situations in my life.  More often than not, as I am praying, I have come upon a rainbow.  It has happened on many occasions.  At moments like these, I feel God's assurance that He will, in His own time, bring forth the answers I need.  Certainly, my trust is in God not the rainbow.  It is He who deserves our worship, praise and honor.
     While the rainbow is beautiful, nothing compares to the covenant which God made with man through the blood of Jesus Christ His Son our Lord.  In this new covenant, we have more than an assurance that the earth will never be destroyed by a flood again.  We have God's everlasting promise of eternal life in Christ for all who come, repent and turn in faith to Him.  When we take communion, we seal the covenant between us and our Lord.  What a holy demonstration of God's amazing grace!
     Maybe life has been rocking our boat through circumstances, jobs, illness or other difficulties.  Rather than painting our world black, we need to see more rainbows and drink deeply from the cup of salvation offered to us.  God is there in the middle of all we are going through.  But don't take my word for it.  See for yourself in the pages of His Word how over and over again the Lord is faithful to those who call upon His name.  He said He would never leave us nor forsake us and that is a promise we can count on.  
     I leave you with one more promise that God has given to us in the book of Proverbs 3:5-6:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."  Look for those rainbows in your life rather than the storm clouds that seem to gather when you are challenged.  Remember and think on all the promises of God.  When you do, you will find the strength to go on no matter what obstacles lie in your path.  Selah!


How has God brought encouragement to your life recently?  I would love to hear from you.

A Name You Can Trust

 

      On the wall of our home, we have a picture given to us by our children on the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary.  It is a picture of Jesus Christ and around Him are all the names of God.  It inspires me every time I look at it.  Along the same line, a scripture which comes from Isaiah 9:6 reads:  "A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon His shoulders; and He is named Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
     Jesus was a gift given to us as a child who grew to be a man who worked with His hands.  However, if we stopped there, we would only see the carpenter and He is so much more than that.  Isaiah saw by the Holy Spirit  that He would have God's authority.  He would be called "Wonderful" and "Counselor".  Truly, Jesus is wonderful and if we let Him, He is our counselor in all matters.  Beyond that, He is the Mighty God in the flesh, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace to us.
     Consider the word "everlasting" for a moment.  It means never ending.  Jesus Christ will never leave us nor forsake us.  He will always be present with us and in us.  We need to draw comfort and encouragement in that knowledge.  Likewise, Jesus is also our "Prince of Peace" who brings peace to our hearts now and some day to the entire world when He comes again in glory to rule and reign.
     Most of us have heard someone described as "he's a Jack of all trades and the master of none."  However, our Lord is "a man of many names and master over all"!  He is molding and remaking our lives each and every day.  With each name by which we call the Lord, we see another aspect of His total and complete ministry to us.  He is "The Good Shepherd", "The God Who Heals Us", "The Lord who Provides", "The King of Kings", "The Lord of Lords", "The Messiah", "The Son of Righteousness", and my favorite, "The Lion of the Tribe of Judah".  There are many more names, but these are but a few that we need to think on.
     We serve an infinite God who loved us so much He sent this His Son to serve as atonement for our sins and to guide us into all truth.  He can more than meet any needs we have today.  This should bring encouragement to each one of us.  When we get down or discouraged, we need to consider the names of our Lord.  He is the Word made flesh for us that in Him we have wholeness, healing, strength, salvation, deliverance, and we find our significance.  Let us turn over to His care, all our burdens so that we might walk in liberty this very day.  Selah!


What name of God brings you comfort?  I welcome your thoughts and insights.