Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during September 2020]

Pontius Pilate commissioned a sign to be written in Aramaic, Greek and Latin. I remember my days learning Latin, the only subject in which I achieved an exam mark of 100%. But, one may ask (and we did), why would anyone bother to teach Latin to primary school pupils in the middle of the 20th century? After all, as we were in the habit of reminding each other,

Latin is a language as dead as dead can be,
first it killed the Romans and now it’s killing me!

It was argued that learning Latin helped people to learn other languages at a more fundamental level. Latin has a disciplined structure that illustrates how many other languages function (although English has so many exceptions that it is easier to assimilate rather than learn formally).

Mixing languages is a daily occurrence for me and I am well aware that parts of any conversation may well get lost in translation. However, apart from that limited liaison with Latin some 60 years ago, my acquaintance with classical languages is effectively nil. That means that, like most modern Bible readers, I need to rely on a translation. We accept that the Bible is God’s inspired word, but what about the translations? We trust that Bible translators are guided by the Holy Spirit, but they still come up with variations in the text.

A potentially controversial instance arises in Genesis 2 verse 2. The text says that God completed His work of creation variously, ‘on’, ‘in’ or ‘by’ the seventh day. The first two variants imply that the work wasn’t quite finished at the end of the sixth day and it over-ran a bit into the seventh. All the sources agree that the seventh day was primarily a day of rest but only the third variant ‘by’ implies that it was exclusively so.

How should we react when we encounter what seem like discrepancies in the Bible? One fundamental principle is that “Scripture interprets Scripture” – that is, there are other verses elsewhere that can shed some light on our quandary. Acts 17 tells us how the Jews in Berea reacted when they heard Paul preach – they “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true”.

Have you examined the Scriptures today?

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[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during September 2020]

In 1902 John Masefield published his poem “Cargoes”^[1] in which he describes three types of trading ships and the cargoes that they carried. It depicts examples from three eras of maritime trade; those of the time of Solomon, the Spanish conquest of south America and the British industrial revolution. The cargoes range from the exotic such as ivory and peacocks to every-day essentials such as iron and coal, whilst the alliterations of a salt-stained smoke stack and cheap tin trays are a challenge to those of us whose teeth are not as firmly fixed as God intended. By the way, peacocks do have a practical function – their raucous call is used to scare other birds away from freshly planted crops.

In Revelation chapter 18 we have a more extensive list of cargoes but the context reminds us that these items are worth nothing more than ships’ ballast if we focus on them and turn away from God. Our true value is not measured by what we have, instead we should look at what we are and what we become through His grace.

In his second letter^[2] to his protégé Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use” whilst in his first letter^[3] to the Corinthians he talks about the differing functions of parts of the human body as an illustration of both the unity and the diversity within the Church.

So it is with the Church of today; if we were all preachers who would listen? We need those who can strut their stuff but we also need those who are willing to load the trays that carry the drinks that lubricate the throats of those who lead the singing that encourages the worshippers who support those who strut their stuff.

One version of a hymn by George Herbert reads:

Teach me, my God and King, in all things Thee to see;
and what I do in anything, to do it as for Thee.
A servant with this clause makes drudgery divine;
who sweeps a room, as for thy laws, makes that and the action fine.

Returning to our cargoes, it is the trade in these every-day items that creates the wealth that allows us to enjoy the exotic. It is the every-day activities of the Church members that make it prosper. You may feel as dull as iron but you are a jewel in God’s sight.

[1] The text of the poem is available online at several sites, including Cargoes, by John Masefield
[2] 2 Timothy ch 2 v2
[3] 1 Corinthians ch 12 v23

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[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 20/Sep/2020]

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us. [Ephesians Chapter 3 V 20]

‘Friday evenings at HBC’ is always a blessing and at the moment we have been working through a book called, “The Prophetic Warrior” by Emma Stark. In her book Emma has been encouraging us to listen to God and move in the prophetic.

As I listened to Jesus this morning this is what I felt He was saying:-

“I want you to know that I have chosen you for such a time as this, that you will know how to mount up with wings as eagles, to run and not grow weary, to walk and not faint. I have chosen you, you are my precious child, I don’t want you to remain in the confines of a coffee cup but I want you to be strong and do exploits.

This is the day, this is the hour to move out in faith.

Those around you are dying because they do not know my love.

This is the time to be released from self-pity and venture forth into the unknown with the greatest weapon you have, which is my love. My love can conquer mountains and produce the most precious fruit, full of abundance, full of goodness and sustenance.

Share my love with those who are needy, hungry and lonely, just as I shared an abundance of bread on the hillside with those who were hungry and in need of healing.

People will wonder where this love comes from and then you can give them the answer, then is the time to speak of me, your Lord and Saviour.

Treasure my words in your heart for out of them will come a well spring of life.

This can become a new adventure full of grace and truth. When many are closing their doors though fear, I am opening a new door of hope that will let my light into many homes and set people free to follow me in a way I intended them to live, in abundance and selflessness.

Do not be afraid my child for it is my pleasure to give you the Kingdom.”

Hope this blesses you,
Keep rejoicing, love, Chris

 
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[Transcript of a midweek message published by Horley Baptist Church on YouTube^[1], September 2020]

This week we think about what the writer of Proverbs was referring to when he said ‘lean not on your own understanding’.
Also, how is it possible to not worry?

Last week we were talking about certainty and can we find certainty in life and really the answer was no we can’t. Life is just too changeable, too uncertain and actually we need to learn to trust in God. I want to pick up now in this message on this idea of trusting in God.

^[00:38] In Proverbs there’s one proverb which I’ve probably used before because it’s probably the only verse in Proverbs that actually I know! By the way, Proverbs is a whole list of wise sayings addressed from a father to a son and there’s one particular proverb – chapter 3 verse 5 – that says “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding”. Trust in God, trust in the Lord and lean on your own understanding. What does it mean by ‘not leaning on your own understanding’?

^[01:17] Well, what I think that means when it says ‘our own understanding’ is those things in life which we feel certain about. Maybe it’s certainty about how life works, maybe it’s a certainty about how God works. Also leaning on our own understanding can mean that we base our lives on our plans and our ambitions, our aspirations. We plan what our future is going to look like. We become certain about the direction that our life is going in so when it says to trust in the Lord and lean not on our own understanding what it’s basically saying is we need to let go of those things in which we find certainty, all those things that we rely on in life.

^[02:13] That’s really difficult because when we haven’t got certainty then we tend to stress and get worried, at least I do. I like to be certain, I like to know what’s happening, I like to plan and work every detail out. Only then can I feel less worried and less stressed about the future, and yet Jesus says some really extreme things about worry. In fact, He tells his followers “Don’t worry, don’t stress about the basic things of life like what you’re going to eat, what you’re going to drink, what you’re going to wear“. These things are all really important necessities in life and in many respects we don’t worry about the necessities of life because we don’t need to. We’ve got jobs, we’ve got money, we can just pop to Tescos and get whatever we want but, if COVID does teach us anything, it shows us how precarious those certainties in life are. For example, I was certain it wasn’t going to rain on this dog walk, and it is.

^[03:29] Our jobs, our relationships, our futures, our aspirations, all those things upon which we build our lives in order to remove uncertainty, stress and worry. In fact, in the verses that comes a little bit before the passage in Matthew where Jesus tells us, tells his followers not to worry, Jesus says “Don’t store up your treasures on earth. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven”. So what are earthly treasures? Well it’s those things on earth where we place our importance, those things on earth upon which we build our life, those things on earth which we rely upon. That could be all sorts of things but the reality is they are subject to change, they’re subject to loss, they are ultimately uncertain regardless of how solid they may appear now. It’s just an illusion and in fact you’re building your life upon things that are going to be destroyed, things are going to rust away. Jesus says “Instead, store up your treasures in heaven” because only in heaven, it’s only in God that you can find no change. It’s only in God that you can find certainty.

^[05:16] Now you may not always understand or comprehend or know what God is doing, you may not know his plans for you and actually that’s why you need to trust in Him. Trust only comes through a relationship, it only comes through knowing God and his character and that He would never let you down so if you want to trust in God then what you need to do is endeavour to seek him, to learn about him, to connect with Him. Only then does the worry-free life become a possibility.

[1] YouTube link: Can I Have Certainty in Life? (2)
Bible references: Proverbs ch 3 v5

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[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during September 2020]

In the first of his midweek messages back in March, Martin posed the question “Can we find security?” Last week he asked a similar question “Can I have certainty in life?”

COVID-19 has demonstrated that we can have no certainty about the plans that we make, this week’s photo-news from Oregon shows that houses and real estate offer no assurance of security, and the debacle of Kanye West’s bid to become a presidential candidate in the USA proves that wealth and celebrity are no guarantees of success.

Do you find this lack of certainty and security unsettling? Are you one of those who can ‘fly by the seat of their pants’ or do you like things to be predictable, even a bit regimented? In short, are you happy?

Groucho Marx said “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.”

The apostle Paul wrote something similar in his letter to the Philippians:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” [Philippians 4:12]

Of course, life includes periods of discontent, disappointment, despair, distress, desperation. The fallout from COVID has exacerbated these feelings; we cannot simply put on a happy-face mask and try to pretend that all is well. Can anything offer us stability during times of insecurity? How can we cope?

Patricia Owens reminds us that

We have an anchor that keeps the soul,
steadfast and sure while the billows roll;
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love!

For those who feel overwhelmed by those d-words, perhaps Paul’s words to the Thessalonians can offer some comfort:

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace at all times and in every way [that peace and spiritual well-being that comes to those who walk with Him, regardless of life’s circumstances]. The Lord be with you all.” [2 Thessalonians 3:16 Amplified Bible]

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[This is one in a series of mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during September 2020]

New rules have been introduced: Leave your shoes, outdoor clothes and bags at the door; no food or soft drinks to be brought in; make sure your hands are clean; do not move the furniture; sit only where indicated; no crisps, popcorn or chewing gum.

Is this the government panicking about COVID and trying to enforce social distancing? They may well be, but these particular rules have been imposed because someone splashed out on a new carpet. Maybe ‘splashed’ is not the most appropriate word since that is what the rules are intended to prevent.

How do we feel about rules? To what point can we justify exploiting the loopholes in the letter of the law? What should we do about rules that are obviously badly drafted and have unwanted consequences? In his letter to Christians in Rome, Paul suggests that we should obey temporal rules wholeheartedly, especially because those who make the rules have been placed in their positions by God’s authority.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. [Romans 13 v1-2, NIV]

By contrast, Douglas Bader once said “Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men”. Many of us whose consider ourselves to be more ‘in-touch’ than the rule makers might be inclined to agree!

Throughout history we can identify occasions when things have been improved because someone was willing to disobey the rules. Daniel and his three friends defied the laws that Nebuchadnezzar had made but the outcome was that the king himself came to recognise God. Obadiah defied the instructions of king Ahab and thereby saved over a hundred of God’s people. All over the world people are still rebelling against despots and unjust rules.

In the early books of the Old Testament, God goes to great lengths to set out the rules that He wanted the Israelites to follow, and much of the rest of the Old Testament recounts what happened when they didn’t. We know that following the rules cannot reconcile the difference but, as EH Swinstead reminds us,

“There’s a way back to God from the dark paths of sin, There’s a door that is open and you may go in, At Calvary’s cross is where you begin, When you come as a sinner to Jesus.”

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