Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during October 2023]

How was your week? Did you achieve what you wanted to or was it as futile and meaningless as the writer of Ecclesiastes anticipated? That repetitive cycle of doing today pretty-much what you did yesterday and will probably do again tomorrow resembles a hamster expending a lot of effort yet making very little progress or, as Noel Harrison sang in 1968, “like a circle in a spiral, or a wheel within a wheel, ever spinning, never ending, on an ever-spinning reel”.

Solomon, the presumed author of the book of of Ecclesiastes^[1], wrote something similar:

Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2 v11 [NIVUK]

Is there a way to make sense of it all?

Charles Studd was a well-known English cricketer in the 1880s. He played for England in the test match against Australia when the title of ‘The Ashes’ was first used. Despite the success of his career he said “I know that cricket would not last, and honour would not last, and nothing in this world would last, but it was worthwhile living for the world to come”.

He subsequently decided to spend the rest of his life in the service of God. He became a missionary in China, then later in India and areas of eastern Africa. Amongst his writings was a poem with the title and refrain:

Only one life ’twill soon be past.
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

What does this mean in practice? We are not all called to move to foreign parts or compose writings that will influence future generations but there is a work for Jesus ready at your hand^[2]. Maybe our work for Jesus is more local and more immediate. Maybe a cup of water given in the Lord’s name is all that is needed at a particular moment, maybe a donation to the Food Bank and other charitable organisation is appropriate.

But are not these simply good works that anyone can do? Did not Solomon assert that even good works are, essentially, short-term and meaningless? A later writer argued differently:

How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds. James 2 v18 [NLT]

Working for Jesus provides the motivation and meaning that eluded Solomon. A simple prayer can bring purpose to our lives:

Give me a faithful heart, like unto Thee,
That each departing day henceforth may see
Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done,
Some wand’rer sought and won, something for Thee.
– Sylvanus Dryden Phelps (1862)

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Resources:
[1] See last week’s discussion about the authorship of Ecclesiastes, link below.
[2] Elsie Duncan Yale (1912)

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: Who’s the Wise Guy?
 

[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Oct/2023]

Having been away for a week, Barbara and I found it uplifting to be back for last Sunday’s service. Martin’s sermon was thought provoking, and the music and worship songs led by Dazz were uplifting. I could quote the truth from all of the songs but in “The Rock” the words we sang “Jesus You hold the world in your hands …. I am secure in Your plans …” were especially encouraging.

When I was approaching 50 the bank I worked for was putting pressure on staff to take “voluntary” redundancy. This has continued until this day, therefore all four banks in the town where we live have closed. At that time I went to an evening service for some reason at a local church near Edenbridge I didn’t normally go to. I was naturally worried that in the near future I was going to lose my job but I found that evening a wonderful promise from God for the future.

The minister gave a message that God controlled the present and the future for all Christians and individual churches. He ended by saying, “I was taught at Baptist theological college to have three points in a sermon, but I have given you nine points. However, God will have underlined one point for you.” I glanced down at the notes I had taken, and there God had led me to underline these words. “Don’t be afraid, I’ve got your future all sorted out.”

At the age of 49 the call came to me from the bank for an interview and suggested it was time for me to leave, but I refused. Instead, I suggested that I left when I was 50 and took early retirement, which they said was impossible. However, several weeks later they gave me a job for a year followed by a redundancy package and an early retirement pension!

After working for a charity for over a year the bank asked me to come back on a three day a week contract, and that, together with my pension, took my income back to what it was before my retirement. This went on until I was nearly 60. I liked it when I went home on a Wednesday and my colleagues used to wish me a good weekend.

Isn’t it thrilling when God keeps his promises in such an amazing way?

There are times when all of us face worries and challenges about the future, especially in such challenging times as today. But we can have faith in our heavenly Father that He will meet all of our needs with our finances, circumstances and health.

God has certainly been true to His plans for me and will be to you also.
My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
— and the best of His plans are yet to come —
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 v5-6 [NLT]

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Resources:

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Following Jesus by Dazz Jones
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during October 2023]

In preparation for this month’s preaching series I have read through the book of Ecclesiastes. What a waste of time and effort!

Of course, I am not suggesting that reading the book was a futile exercise; rather, that wasted ambition, wasted effort and wasted time are the central themes of a large proportion of its content. So what can we learn from studying this book, when so much of it we already know from our own personal experiences? That is the challenge for our preachers this month.

In the Orthodox and Protestant traditions the book is classified as ‘Poetry’; the Catholic tradition classifies it as ‘Wisdom’. The source of its content is subject to some debate but it is commonly ascribed to King Solomon around 937BC. Some scholars have argued against this on the basis that the text contains idioms and figures of speech that were not common in Solomon’s day; others have countered with the possibility that the text was updated by Hezekiah, in around 710BC. Another suggestion is that the author was king Josiah in around 620BC but he was king of only Judah, after Israel ceased to be one nation.

Despite the controversy, two verses in the opening chapter of the book are very convincing:

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king of Jerusalem
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. Ecclesiastes 1 v1, 12 [NIVUK]

It is interesting to compare the experiences of Solomon with those of Job. God allowed Job to be tested by the removal of his earthly possessions; he tested Solomon by giving him an abundance of worldly wealth. Job retained his faith in God during his adversity, Solomon lost his devotion to God through his prosperity.

Probably the best-known section in Ecclesiastes is the passage about times; a series of couplets beginning with:

To everything there is a season,
and a time for every purpose under heaven Ecclesiastes 3 v1 [BSB]

What does this passage teach us about timing? There is a time when a certain action may be appropriate and there is a time when that action might not be appropriate. How do we decide? The Teacher does not have a satisfactory answer to that question but Job offers a suggestion:

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? Job 12 v12 [NIVUK]

Job recognised that there is a treasury of accumulated wisdom acquired through the experiences of those who have faced similar situations before us. In our own search for wisdom we should not neglect this resource. An elder in the early church took this suggestion to a higher level:

But if any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all. James 1 v5 [GNT]

There is a time to pray, is there ever a time to refrain from praying?

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Resources:
[1]

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: A Reflection on Reflection
 

[This reflection by Dazz Jones was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 01/Oct/2023]

In a world filled with distractions and competing ideologies, the call to follow Jesus Christ remains central to Christianity. But what does it truly mean to follow Jesus? How can we orient our lives and purpose around the Kingdom of God? In this article, we will explore the essence of following Jesus and provide practical guidance on how to align our lives with the values and principles of His Kingdom.

Walk the Talk: To follow Jesus means to immerse ourselves in His teachings found in the Gospels. Jesus’ words offer profound wisdom, love, and guidance for living a life that honours God and serves others. His teachings emphasize love, forgiveness, humility, and selflessness. As followers of Jesus, we should strive to embody these virtues in our daily lives not just talk about them.

Relationship not Religion: Adding to the previous point, following Jesus is not merely a practice something we do; it’s so much more, it’s who we know. Christianity is about cultivating a deep and personal relationship with God. This relationship is likely to be built best on prayer, Scripture reading, and communion with God through the Holy Spirit. Regular prayer, worship, reading and meditating on the words of the Bible will help us know His will, understand his character and grow closer to Him.

Others over own: One of the central messages of Jesus is love – love for God and love for our neighbours. To follow Jesus means to extend love and compassion to everyone we encounter, just as He did. To put the needs of others before our own. This love is not limited to those who share our faith but encompasses all people, regardless of their background, beliefs, race, religion, creed, gender, sexuality or circumstances.

Seek first the Kingdom of God: In a self-proclaiming, Instagram boasting, achievement-hunting culture; to orient our lives around the Kingdom of God, we’ll need to work hard to prioritize its values and principles above all else. This means seeking God’s righteousness, justice, and peace in every decision we make regardless of the impact on our circumstances and reputation. It involves aligning our ambitions, goals, and aspirations with the overarching purpose of advancing God’s Kingdom on Earth.

Embrace Forgiveness, even when it’s spiky: Forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith. Jesus taught us to forgive as we have been forgiven. To follow Him means extending forgiveness to those who have wronged us, letting go of bitterness, and reconciling with others. This can seem like we’re being asked to hug a cactus … which is never impossible but depending on what happened in the past might need to be done very slowly and very gently.

Do you want to talk about it?: Part of following Jesus is sharing the good news of His love and salvation with others. We are called to be witnesses, spreading the message of hope and redemption to a world in need. Talking to people about your life and the difference God makes in your overall experience and thought processes can be a very powerful way to share faith.

To follow Jesus is a lifelong journey of faith, love, and service. By embracing His teachings, cultivating a relationship with Him, and living out His love and compassion, we can truly follow Jesus and be a light in a world that needs His transformative grace and truth.

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Resources:

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Celebrating The Harvest by Helen Ruffhead
 

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during September 2023]

Last week an event of astronomical importance took place, something out of this world yet something which, I suspect, went unnoticed by most people. Thinking of ‘astronomical’ in its literal sense should provide a clue.

Like many wealthy American pensioners, the sun is moving south for the winter. In the US this is called ‘snowbirding’, in the case of the sun it is part of the celestial cycle. The sun passed directly overhead the earth’s equator marking an event known as the autumnal equinox. A similar event occurs in March each year as the sun crosses the equator on its northbound movement.

For those who have forgotten their Latin, equinox translates as ‘equal night’, a reference to the occurrence when the length of daylight hours is equal to that of the dark hours. The phenomenon is global and, this year, occurred on 23rd September.^[1]

The sun was created during the fourth period of creation:

God made two great lights – the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth Genesis 1 v16-17 [NIVUK]

There are two broad categories of lights. There are lights which enable us to see and there are lights which are intended to be seen, although there is considerable overlap in these two functions. A vehicle’s headlights show the way ahead; its indicators give a message to those who see them.

In the sun and the moon we see examples of these two principal types of light. The sun is not intended to be seen; indeed, trying to look at it can cause severe eye damage. Instead, it gives light to enable us to see the world around us.

The moon reflects the light of the sun, enabling us to see. It does so following a predictable, but not necessarily helpful, routine; sometimes it appears half-hearted, sometimes it disappears completely. Its moods influence the rise and fall of the tides. It sends mixed-messages; contrast the romance of the Owl and the Pussycat dancing to the light of the silvery moon with the sinister overtones of a moonlit Dartmoor resounding to the ominous cry of its infamous hound. Nevertheless, God described the moon as ‘good’.

Have you ever likened yourself to the moon? Do you have your bright and dark sides? How are you using your influence? Does your faith wax and wane? What sort of messages are you sending?

God described his creation of man and woman as ‘very good’ but they lost the right to be described as such once they broke the rules that God had stipulated. The Psalmist questioned why God would still persist with them:

When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place; what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him? Psalm 8 v3-4 [BSB]^[2]

God still loves his creation and he has provided a means whereby the relationship can be restored. Those who have accepted God’s offer of restoration can move from living in the dark to living in the light; furthermore, they can look forward to acquiring their own heavenly body.

The moon reflects the light of the sun – are you reflecting the light of the Son?

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Resources:
[1] Equinox, via wikipedia
[2] Berean Standard Bible, via Biblehub

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections

Link to Index of Bible Passages

Last week’s reflection: Were You There?
 

[This reflection by Helen Ruffhead was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 24/Sep/2023]

When preparing for our Harvest Thanksgiving service on ‘Connect in Faith’, I thought I would see what the Bible said about celebrating the harvest. To my surprise, I found that not one but two of the three major Jewish festivals related to harvest.

Exodus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 describe the three major festivals, when all Jewish men were expected to come together to worship God, give thanks for his provision and give generously to those in need. The first is Passover, followed fifty days later by Pentecost, which is also known as the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Harvest, when the people would bring the firstfruits of their crops to God.

The third feast was held around the end of September and called the Feast of Ingathering, to celebrate the end of harvest and the safe gathering of all the crops. This feast is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, as the Jews would live in tabernacles, or tents, in memory of their time in the wilderness, when they had lived in tents and God himself, represented by a pillar of cloud, lived in a tent amongst them.

Once I visited Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles and saw tents on the balconies of people’s homes, where they would sleep during the week of the feast.

What is the significance of these feasts to us? We know that Jesus, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed for us during the Feast of Passover. At Pentecost we received the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the firstfruits of our inheritance in Christ. (See Ephesians 1 v 13, 14).

The Feast of Ingathering, or Tabernacles looks forward to the time when Jesus will return and gather his people together and God will live in the midst of them.

Revelation 21 v 3-4 says:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

As it says in the hymn “Come ye thankful people come”:

Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin.

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Resources:

Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.

Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.

~~~~~~~~~
Horley Baptist Church online
HBC main site
Confidential prayer link

Link to Recent Reflections
.
Link to Index of Bible Passages
 
Last week’s reflection: Navigating Life’s Journey by David Makanjuola