Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 07/Aug/2022]

Have you felt tired lately? I think many of us have been feeling that way, perhaps because of Covid or another health problem, or because of stress over all the problems in the world, or ones much closer to home.

Earlier this year, a number of stresses and ongoing sleep problems left me feeling completely exhausted (and that was before I got Covid). To encourage myself I tried reciting aloud one of my favourite verses, Isaiah 40 v 31: “But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed” (Good News Bible). Unfortunately, in my sleep deprived state, I heard myself saying: “But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength removed!” Clearly a Freudian slip reflecting how I felt at the time.

A verse that seemed more appropriate was Lamentations 3 v 18: “My strength has gone and so has my hope in the Lord” (New English Bible). The writer certainly had reason to feel that way. The Babylonians had invaded their country and subjected Jerusalem to an 18-month siege before finally capturing the city, destroying it and deporting most of the people to Babylon. Yet just a few verses later we read: “The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3 v 22, 23 RSV).

Much of my tiredness and stress is due to taking on burdens I was never meant to carry. A couple of weeks after the invasion of Ukraine I got to the point when the news was crushing me, making me lose the will to live. The answer was clear: having done all that was within my power to help, through prayer and giving, I needed to reduce my exposure to the news to the bare minimum and leave the situation in God’s hands.

More recently I have been stressed over a situation in my family which was beyond my control (and has now been resolved). I think it is burdens like these that Jesus was talking about when he said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11 v 28 NIV).

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Bible dates: Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
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[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during August 2022]

Are you ever the victim of circumstances? Things happen to you that were not your fault, but you were inconvenienced, or worse, by them. Do you get annoyed and rant about the unfairness of life? Maybe someone did not clean up after their dog and you are raising a stink about it. Did the driver in front move off from the lights too slowly and now you are seeing red? Are you ever tempted to resort to language that would make a sailor blush?

It is not difficult to find Biblical examples of people who have been angered by actions or events that are outside their control.

Moses became angry when he saw how the Israelites had turned away from God during his absence on Mount Sinai, He was furious to the point where he lost his temper and destroyed the tablets of the law which God had prepared for him^[1].

In the account of Jonah we read that the prophet became angry when the people of Nineveh repented and were spared the effects of their sin. Jonah had hoped that they would be destroyed but then, to cap it all, the plant that he was sheltering under died. God asked Jonah “Is it right for you to be angry?”^[2]. We would do well to cultivate the practice of asking that of ourselves too.

Is it right for you to be angry? Sometimes the answer can be “Yes”.

Jesus became angry when he saw how a sacred area of the temple had been taken over by merchants and currency traders. Was his anger justified – yes. Did he lose his temper – no. He responded in a way that was both measured and appropriate to the circumstances^[3].

Paul and Silas were going about their daily business in Philippi but they were becoming increasingly annoyed by a young fortune teller who followed them around. Eventually Paul had had enough and rebuked the evil spirit that was controlling her. Was his anger justified – yes. Did he lose his temper – no. He responded in a way that was both measured and appropriate to the circumstances^[4].

In the majority of Biblical references to anger we are told that God became angry. Sometimes it was with people who were attacking the Israelites but often it was the Israelites themselves who incited the anger when they turned their back on him. Was his anger justified – yes. Did he lose his temper – no. On each occasion he responded in a way that was both measured and appropriate to the circumstances.

We live in a society where God has been neglected or treated with indifference. It is not always easy to remember that we too have done things that have inconvenienced other people, and we have to face their reactions. How can we ensure that our response is both measured and appropriate to the circumstances?

The apostle Paul wrote from his own experience when he offered the following guidelines:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5 v22-23 [NKJV]

To be at its best, fruit requires the regular attention of the gardener, repelling pests and encouraging growth – how does your garden grow?

[1] Exodus 32 v19
[2] Jonah 4 v4
[3] Mark 11 v15
[4] Acts 16 v18

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, 31/July/2022]

Our daughter, together with her husband, has just been to Cornwall to visit her best friend from primary school days. We had a message to say that they were going to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan, which we loved when we went there several years ago. The gardens flourished over a hundred years ago, but when all the gardeners went off to fight in the First World War they never came back.

Over the following decades the gardens were neglected, became overgrown, greenhouses and walls collapsed and the gardens were finally lost. By chance in the 1990’s, Tim Smit found the wilderness it had become and with others has restored it to its original beautiful place of trees, flowers and wildlife.

We especially remember a more recent and impressive sculpture of the Mud Maid, lying asleep on the ground in the woodland, with green moss for skin covering her body and Montbretia as a mop of wild hair. The story goes that, “Once the Mud Maid danced through the gardens and played in the lake. Sometimes she teased the gardener. Then one day, he marched away and did not come back. Flowers withered. Weeds grew. The Mud Maid was too sad to dance and play. ” She was filled with years of despair, but that all changed when she found the gardens restored. “All a-new!” she exclaimed and danced for joy.

During the past couple of years I must admit I have sometimes felt despair when I see parts of our world gradually turning into a wilderness in our ecology, and the lives of many people being affected in ways that they’ve never experienced before. Each day new problems seem to arise. For some the cost of living crisis must seem insurmountable.

It takes me back to my childhood when there were no supermarkets, food was scarce and rationed. My parents only heated one room with an open coal fire, and there was ice on the inside of my bedroom window. Yet even at a young age I found that I could trust in God who gave me everything I needed, right up to the present day. Whenever I worried I turned to Him and told Him of my trust for the future.

In recent years the word “hope” has crept into my thinking. I saw a Christian definition of hope as “certainty in the present and firm expectation for the future”. As He promises in Jeremiah 29:11,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Therefore, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)

Let’s especially look for the day with trust and hope for the time when Jesus returns, and we shall be able to say, “All a-new!”. Then every one of us will be able to dance for joy.

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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 July 2022]

Complacency, procrastination and inertia. Surely we all can recognise these characteristics, in other people even if do not admit to them ourselves.

Shall I bother to write about them? Maybe a better idea will come to me if I wait a bit – it usually does. In any case I need to think about it for a bit longer before getting on with it.

There are verses in the Bible which, it could be argued, tend to provide some justification for such behaviour.

• Complacency: Contentment is great gain
• Procrastination: Be still before the Lord and wait
• Inertia: The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved

 
But surely this cannot be right. How can we reconcile these attitudes with the traditional Christian values enshrined in a conscientious work ethic and positive social involvement? Perhaps a closer look at these verses within their context will reveal a different intent on the part of their writers.

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment (that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God).
1 Timothy 6 v6 [AMP]

Here the apostle Paul is describing contentment in a positive manner, a frame of mind to be desired and appreciated. By contrast, complacency is a negative state that often uses a pretence of contentment as an excuse for indifference.

Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; … those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
Psalm 37 v7, 9 [AMP]

The Psalmist argues that waiting upon God’s timing brings benefits; it is not a time of inaction or laziness. This is emphasised in this verse from Proverbs: A slacker procrastinates when it is time to plough; so when it’s time for harvest, there are no crops in the field^[1]. Experience often demonstrates that resting after a task is finished is much more satisfactory than ‘building up one’s energy’ in advance.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly and securely established, it shall not be moved; He will judge and rule the people with fairness.”
Psalm 96 v10 [AMP]

The emphasis here is on the benefits of having a firm and secure foundation, one that will not collapse under pressure. It is not a recommendation to ‘do nothing’ but instead it offers us confidence about the future.

These examples demonstrate that it is not sufficient for us to simply read the Bible in a casual or unstructured way. The Bible is more – much more – than a simple history book or instruction manual. It is more like a box of gems that show a different facet each time we open it.

Are you complacent about your understanding of the Bible? Would you like to read the Bible more diligently but haven’t made time yet? Or is it just too difficult to get started?

[1] Proverbs 20 v3 [The Voice]

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, 26/July/2022]

2022 seems to have been a year of quite a lot of change for me – the birth of a grandchild, ongoing changes at work, family members moving away or getting married & financial challenges. Perhaps it has been the same for you too.

Life is full of many challenges and one of them is how to deal with change. It is as inevitable as sunrise and sunset.

Of course change is not always a bad thing and can be something we initiate ourselves such as a change of job, moving home or even a change of our wardrobe or hairstyle! Sadly there other changes we have little or no control over such as changes in relationships, unemployment or deteriorating health. These are harder to deal with and can sometimes result in a grief reaction where we experience feelings of denial, anger, bargaining, and depression (Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, 1969). These are very human and understandable reactions and I know in my past I’ve experienced them all. As a wise person once said, feelings are neither good nor bad … they just are.

There are many things to help us face change including prayer and people who show us they care. Before I was a Christian I know I relied on my own (inadequate) resources too much, and looked to friends to help me find answers to my problems. I know that the times I’ve struggled the most have been when I’ve tried doing things in my own strength, and have not appreciated that I am loved and cherished by God and that He is always with me and wants the best for me. And that he hears my prayers, even those unspoken.

It strikes me that our faith in Jesus can help us above and beyond anything else when we face change and perhaps find it difficult. We are also blessed to have the gift of God’s living word, the Bible, which is an incredible source of wisdom, counsel and comfort. There is such richness in the Scriptures and so many passages I could have chosen, but this psalm kept coming back to me this week so I hope it might encourage you if, like me, you have found yourself trying to adjust to new changes in your life, whether positive or less so.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you – the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore. Psalm 121

And may the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

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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 reflection was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 26/June/2022]

Pilate said to Jesus, ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38) I have a good friend who is well over 90 and, whenever our conversation turns to religion – as it often does – he sincerely repeats essentially the same question. He knows quite a lot about Jesus, and what the Bible says, but he can’t (or won’t) believe that Jesus can possibly be the only absolute truth.

After considering what Martin asked us to think about a few Sundays ago, I realised that all my life my trust in Jesus has been more talk than fact. When Chris asks me why I don’t simply trust that everyday problems are in Jesus’s hands, I have no answer. Very recently, situations arose where we needed practical help. And people turned up just in time! She trusted that He would provide. Before they both appeared, I had begun to panic!

I’ve heard all the arguments about how our understandings of the Bible are inevitably a matter of interpretation. If that’s the case perhaps those who say there is no such thing as absolutely reliable truth – even in scripture – are right. That argument has left me deeply unsettled. I’ve read many, many books about such questions – probably too many! Now I think I know where my unease comes from. The problem is all about the word ‘about’!

How can I be expected to trust anyone whom I’ve heard and read all ABOUT but don’t KNOW intimately? It was when I heard Martin urge us to read – really read – the 4 gospels I realised that I was being invited, challenged, to get to know Jesus so personally that His claim to be the truth I need to rest on will be so settled that the PEACE He also promises will increasingly replace my uncertainty and restlessness.

I know my restlessness has roots – most of them going back to childhood – but now I also know that there is no excuse for letting it characterise my life for another minute!

I will get to KNOW the Person who is truth. What about you?

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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.