Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[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.

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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, 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.

[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 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]

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.