Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2022]

Recently, Jeremy Clarkson of TV fame was boasting about what he had achieved despite not having done at all well in his school exams. In his own unique style he was trying to encourage those whose end of school exam results had not gone to plan, arguing that it is possible to recover from such disappointment. I can concur with that point of view since my own results were, arguably, only marginally better than his.

I do not know whether Mr Clarkson was ever threatened with ‘six of the best’ – a punishing experience for those miscreants whose behaviour warranted a persuasive form of correction. It seems that the opening verse of Psalm 6 might have been an appropriate cry for clemency:

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? Psalm 6 v 1-3 [NIVUK]

This psalm is ascribed to David. We are used to David’s psalms being songs of praise and confidence even when he has gone astray and is expressing his repentance but this one speaks of unrelieved agony. Can we identify with David’s situation?

In 1 Kings chapter 19 we read that the great prophet Elijah had similar feelings. After the triumph of the conquest of Baal at Mount Carmel, he was now fleeing for his life. He was on his own, he could see no future, there was no point in going on.

There are times when, even in the most disciplined of lives, we find ourselves in times of trouble. For us, it may not be physical suffering; a sense of failure can be just as stressful. We can attempt to run away from our problems, but that offers only short-term relief. We are tempted to echo Jeremiah’s words: “Is any suffering like my suffering?”^[1]

Eventually David recognised that relief would come:

The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. Ibid, v 9

David, Elijah and Jeremiah found relief when they focussed on God more than on their problems. That’s all very well for them but what does that offer for us? We each have access to God as individuals but we do not have to suffer as individuals. We are members of a Christian community where it is likely that someone else has had the same experiences, someone who can show us that a setback in one area can be God’s way of refining our plans.

Jeremiah may be known as the weeping prophet but he carried a message of encouragement too:

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29 v11 [AMP]

[1] Lamentations 1 v12

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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.

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2022]

In the 1960s TV series, ‘The Prisoner’, Patrick McGoohan played the title role; a former British secret agent who knew too much to be allowed his liberty. He was forcibly removed to a secure location where he became known simply as a number. The successive episodes of the series showed his efforts to regain his liberty and his name, and to be rid of the number. His mantra of “I am not a number, I am a free man” remained untrue on both counts.

In contemporary western society we have all become numbers; our names are just a convenient way of cataloguing our numeric identities. Even in everyday conversation, ‘who’ you are has been superseded by ‘what’ you are. Your name is less important than your status, function or achievements. By contrast, in the Jewish society of Biblical times the records of your family – their names and family links – were part of your heritage. A ‘black sheep’ could blot the family name for generations; a glorious ancestor brought recognition and honour.

Sooner or later, those of us who read the Bible diligently or preach systematically are going to encounter a list of names. Do we regard those passages as fertile ground that deserves further study or do we prefer to skip ahead to the ‘important’ bits?

Nehemiah chapter 3 is a list of names – it records in some detail how each portion of the new wall of Jerusalem was built, which household took responsibility for each section and it gives them eternal credit for their efforts. It also reveals that there were some who declined to get their hands dirty.

Amongst the most familiar lists of names in the Bible are those in the opening chapters of Matthew and Luke. These writers set out the lineage of Jesus in order to verify his claim to be the Messiah. There are gems in these genealogies but there are also those who will be known throughout history simply as someone else’s father. Nevertheless, each one is essential to God’s plan for salvation.

Recently I heard a sermon based on the closing verses of Romans chapter 16. For those who cannot immediately recall the passage it is primarily a list of names; names of people with whom the apostle Paul had worked or names of those that he wanted to greet. Some of them are people that we know a little bit about, for others we can only speculate but all of them have their names recorded for posterity.

In the penultimate chapter of the book of Revelation, the writer John described the new Jerusalem, the city where God will dwell with his people. After describing the glories of the city he adds a warning:

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21 v27 [NIVUK]

We will not get our names in the Bible but we can get them written in the book of life.

[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.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 21/Aug/2022]

How amazing it is that we have such a loving heavenly Father who can take us as we are but loves us too much to leave us like that.

It was so interesting to listen to Martin talking about how he messed up in his twenties^[1] but found the strength to go forward, leaving the past behind him. Jesus took all our messed up mess on the cross, we all know that, it’s been preached many times from the front.

I was asking Jesus, is there any area in my life I have not yet surrendered to Him, is Jesus Lord of every part of my life, even the bits that nobody sees.

It’s sometimes like having a very tidy house but when you open the cupboards everyone can see the mess. Jesus loves to take our mess, sort it out and put it back so we are not ashamed to show any one the inner recesses of our lives. I need to write down every aspect of my life giving it all to Him and watch to see what He will.

He makes all things beautiful in His time. Ecclesiastes 3 v11

Every blessing,

[1] HBC sermon, 14/Aug/2022

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.

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2022]

Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God,
For to You I will pray. Psalm 5 v1-2 [NKJV]

This Psalm can be seen as having five distinct sections, each focusing on different aspects of God’s relationship with the various people that the writer saw around him. His words are equally valid for us.

In the first three verses we start by asking God to help as we pray to him. How easy for it is for our minds to wander, for our thoughts to turn to other things. These things may be honourable enough in their own right but if they distract us from our relationship with God then this is not the time for them.
Lord, we want to start each day with our focus on you.

The Psalm continues with the first of two sections describing those who displease God. Those who are arrogant, blood-thirsty or deceitful will incur God’s abhorrence and eventual destruction.
Lord, keep us from sinning against you.

Between the two sets of verses describing the environment of evil that surrounds us we find a further declaration of worship on the part of the writer, together with a plea for guidance in potentially difficult circumstances.
Lord, lead us in the paths of righteousness.

As this transitions into the fourth section we find that those who rebel against God have become our enemies too. Once again we are warned about the traps that they may lay for us.
Lord, help us to avoid being lured by temptation.

Finally we see that God offers protection to those who are willing to seek refuge in him. Those who put their trust in him will be able to rejoice, knowing that God will bless them. The psalm concludes with a declaration of reassurance.

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favour You will surround him as with a shield.
Ibid v12

As with the rest of the word of God as presented to us in the Bible, this psalm is a collection of gems, each with its diverse facets and applications. In this Psalm we see, as it were, a setting with five gems: three bright facets reflecting the confidence of the morning star, the glory of the sun at midday and calm of the evening star, interspersed with dark stones which offer a contrast and a reminder that evil persists and there is still a battle to be won.

Many jewels are enhanced by their settings and by the light in which we view them. In terms of reading the Bible, commentaries and expositions can help us to see the passage in its context and enhance our understanding of it. Some of these are like the gold or silver settings for a precious jewel, others are of a lesser value. Nevertheless, if the setting obscures the jewel then, no matter what the value of the setting itself, it has failed in its primary purpose.

Lord, help us to appreciate the value of your word.

[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.

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 14/Aug/2022]

‘…make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.’ Romans 14:13

I recently had the pleasure of preaching at Trafalgar Road Baptist Church in Horsham, where they had spent the previous 2 and a half years without a minister. Fortunately that changes this August, and the entire community is excited to move forward into a new chapter after what has been a difficult time during Covid.

Whilst I was there I preached on a chapter from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome – a church that was split down the middle ethnically, with a battle taking place between the Gentile (non-Jewish) believers, and the Jewish Jesus followers who were returning to Rome after 5 years of exile.

Paul’s purpose therefore in writing his letter was to remind the church of the good news of Jesus, and to encourage them to put their differences to one side for the sake of the gospel. He also urged those believers to stop judging, and make up their mind to not put any stumbling block in the way of people coming to Jesus. In other words, individuals and the church should put the needs of others before their own, making changes to the way they live out their faith so as not to make it hard for people to access the good news.

Unfortunately there are plenty of stumbling blocks, created by society, that make it incredibly difficult for people to know about Jesus, let alone come to follow him. At HBC how can we ensure we don’t add to those blocks?

Can we think carefully, and make the necessary changes and sacrifices to the way we ‘do church’ so that those with little or no experience of church will find what we do accessible and yet totally different to anything they have experienced before? Can we create a space for them to experience God’s presence and be moved by His Holy Spirit?

In this country we have more churches than supermarkets. We don’t need more churches, we need different churches. My challenge to TRBC and my challenge to this church is, are we willing to be different, even if it means making changes and sacrifices?

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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.

[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2022]

Walking through a town centre park recently we were stopped by the plaintive mewing of a kitten in distress. After searching through the bushes we eventually found it, some ten feet up a pine tree. It had climbed up, perhaps attracted by some birds, and now could not find a way out of the tree. Cats’ claws are well designed for climbing upwards but are not suited to an orderly descent, which is usually gravity assisted and under very limited control.

Do you ever find yourself in situations where you cannot see a way out? A taxi meter is clocking up more than you have in your pocket. At the supermarket checkout you find that your card has expired. Your boss wants you to take minutes of an important meeting but you have a problem remembering names. You have prepared intensively for an examination but you are caught out by the first question. (All these have happened to me.)

Hezekiah, king of Judah, received a final demand that he could not meet. Present economic indicators suggest that he will not be unique in that respect. How do we react when faced with bills that are excessive or interest rates that are extortionate? Does Hezekiah’s experience offer us any guidance?

By the time that Hezekiah received the demand he had already exhausted all his available resources. He had already tried to pay off his oppressors but they came back for more. His response may seem like desperation but it was the key to the solution:

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 2 Kings 19 v14 [NIVUK]

Have you tried that? It may not make the problem smaller but it does offer greater peace of mind than cursing consumer watchdogs that have neither bark nor bite. In Hezekiah’s case God used a third party to bring relief. He can do the same for you, but do you believe it?

There are – at least – two other lessons that we can learn from the Biblical account of Hezekiah’s life; one positive, one negative.

On the positive side, Hezekiah introduced measures that would reduce the severity of any future problems, including the installation of a more reliable water supply. Are there actions or lifestyle changes that we could take now to alleviate the impact of harder times to come? In practical terms, are there low-priority expenditures that you could learn to live without?

On the negative side, Hezekiah grew complacent and started to credit himself with achievements that should have been acknowledged as God’s intervention. To whom do you ascribe the blessings that you have received?

[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.