Selah2020: Pause and Reflect

[This is one in a series of mid-week devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2021]

Do you like a good argument? Perhaps ‘debate’ would be a more appropriate word for a discussion of some substance. Obviously, a good debate is one where eventually you carry the day, convincing yourself and, hopefully, your protagonist that you know best. Ideally it should entail a certain amount of effort – a walk-over is no fun – but the eventual outcome should not be in doubt.

Of course, there is the risk that you yourself might be won over by the counter arguments. A friend of mine recently referred me to a book that he had read but he added a note: “I didn’t agree with everything he said, but it was still a very worthwhile read nonetheless”. Often we can learn more from the people that we disagree with rather than from those who simply confirm what we think we already know. The disagreement forces us to examine why we differ, and potentially makes us stronger in our faith.

I rather suspect that the apostle Paul would endorse that line of thought. He had disagreements with Barnabas, John Mark and Peter to name just three, and they were supposed to be on the same side as him. It may be that these ‘friendly’ altercations were a useful experience when he came to argue with the governing authorities.

The trouble comes when you take on God as your adversary. You know who is going to win in the end and no amount of logical argument, verbosity or procrastination is going to change that.

In Genesis 18 we see Abraham trying to argue with God before the destruction of Sodom; he changed the criteria but the result was the same. Similarly, in Exodus 4 we see Moses trying to argue his way out of the commission to lead Israel. The text tells that he made God angry but once again it didn’t change the outcome. Jonah didn’t even bother to argue; he just ran away. After an in-depth lesson in marine biology he too did as he was told.

Taking about maritime experiences, there was Peter at Joppa, relaxing by the sea and anticipating a generous helping of fish and chips when God presented him with a different menu. Three times he tried to refuse it, claiming that what he saw was offensive and contrary to his culture. This same Peter who had previously addressed his message of salvation only to people of the Jewish faith was about to be taught a lesson about prejudice and exclusion. A request from a Roman centurion for Peter to visit him resulted in Peter discovering that gentile hospitality was not as distasteful as he had expected.

Are you being called to do something illogical or irrational? Maybe even something counter-cultural? God is not averse to confirming the call but His will takes precedence.

There’s a work for Jesus, ready at your hand,
’Tis a task the Master just for you has planned.
Haste to do His bidding, yield Him service true;
There’s a work for Jesus none but you can do.
[Elsie Yale, 1912]

In His sermon on the mount Jesus gave us an example of how to pray. Are you willing to echo these words?

… your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
[Matthew 6 v10 NIVUK]

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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, 18/Apr/2021]

Throughout the pandemic we’ve heard a lot of talk in the media about the issue of freedom. As Christians, we sometimes make the mistake of thinking that freedom is just about doing (or buying) whatever we want. We think we’re free because when we want to buy groceries, we can choose between Tesco, Lidl, Iceland or Waitrose – at least if we live in Horley! But what does the Bible teach us about freedom? Surely there’s more to freedom than the right to choose between various brands of cereals and shampoo!

I think the recent periods of lockdown have shown us what a poor understanding of freedom we have in our Western culture today. We think that we’re free as long as the government doesn’t stop us from going to the pub. But when the lockdown restrictions are eventually lifted – and when we’re allowed back into pubs, restaurants, shops, etc. – the fact remains that if we don’t have Christ, we’ll still be in spiritual lockdown, regardless of whatever Boris Johnson tells us we can and can’t do.

God’s Word teaches us that “freedom” without God is just another word for slavery to self. Freedom isn’t just a matter of doing whatever we want or acting on our impulses. When we just do what we want without thinking about God, we become slaves to our own emotions and instincts. This is why “freedom without God” is a contradiction. It’s only by following Christ that we can find true freedom.

So regardless of whatever outward restrictions might be imposed during lockdowns, this is a good time to think about what it means to be free in Christ. Let’s learn to trust in the promise of God that if Jesus sets us free, then we really will be free indeed (John 8:36).

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 mid-week Reflections published by Horley Baptist Church during April 2021]

For many people, the mention of Joseph conjures up a picture of a precocious teenager strutting around, showing off the latest fashion and expecting everyone to admire him. In a car park full of Beetles he’d be the one with the Porsche.

I have recently read a new commentary on the life of Joseph^[1]. The author notes the various periods between the ‘highlights’ in Joseph’s life and uses them as an illustration of how the thread of God’s timing can be traced throughout His plan of redemption. It is an interesting lead to follow so let us explore it for ourselves.

What was Joseph doing in those teenage years before his brothers finally got fed up with his impressions of a peacock? Did he learn to cook like his father had done? Might he have been honing domestic skills that would one day be valued by a future employer?

What where his thoughts during that trek from Dotham to the Egyptian capital? Three hundred miles behind a camel, watching where he put his feet, he no doubt reflected upon how his circumstances had changed. Did he learn humility? Did he turn to the God of his father, grandfather and great-grandfather?

Amidst the dust and despondency of the slave market, what was it that drew Potiphar’s attention to Joseph? We are not told how long Joseph worked for Potiphar but we do know the impact he had there.

From the time he (Potiphar) put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. [Genesis 39 v 5 NIVUK]

No doubt, in his time as a member of Potiphar’s household he learnt how Egyptian society functioned, another experience that will prove useful in his later life. But then, another reversal of fortune: a false accusation lands him in prison. We do not know how long he spent in prison but once again he made his talents were noticed:

The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. [Genesis 39 v 23 NIVUK]

Was Joseph just marking time in prison whilst God was occupied elsewhere? There was a vision of hope when the baker and cup-bearer dropped in for a sleep-over but the normal prison routine soon returned. What did Joseph learn during that time? Maybe his experiences with Egypt’s underworld were helpful when his brothers showed up.

Then Pharaoh had a severe case of insomnia. The future of the nation was at risk and Pharaoh’s advisors could not explain how to tackle the threat. Eventually Joseph was consulted and, as most of us know, he came up with an idea that Pharaoh liked.

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ [Genesis 41 v41 NIVUK]

Potiphar, prison, Pharaoh – all prospered because of Joseph’s trust in God.

What have you learnt during those years that your biographer would skip over? Does your faith make a difference to those around you? Who else benefits from your trust in God?

[1] ‘Joseph: God Meant It for Good’, Robert Norman (ISBN 978 1 64999 358 8)

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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, 11/Apr/2021]

It might not be something you’ve ever done……and if so you might struggle to understand such behaviour, but I have to confess that I can be a dreadful procrastinator…..there, I’ve told you now.

Procrastination can be defined as “intentionally putting off doing something until tomorrow that should be done today”. It is nothing to do with laziness, lack of self-control or even poor time management but it is more about the delay in starting or finishing a task, and is often against our better judgement. Our intentions are good and we know that we really should start that essay/report (or YOURS article!), pay that bill, answer that tricky email, go to the doctor or clear out our wardrobe. But instead we delay and distract ourselves with other, arguably more pleasant tasks. The problem then being that we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure, causing stress, which can leave us feeling anxious, inadequate or overwhelmed.

Psychologists suggest people (unconsciously) procrastinate because they are afraid of failing at the tasks they need to complete, or cannot see the immediate benefit of starting something (exercise for example). Yep, that’s me. I am comforted by the realisation that procrastination is a pretty common behaviour and thankfully for most of us it is only transitory so we need to be quick to forgive ourselves & not get too hung up about it. (Romans 8:1) Amen.

So why share this ‘confession’ with you? And what has it got to do with our walk with Jesus and our faith?
Well, if we think about our relationships rather than tasks, putting off something for another day might be an easier choice for us but detrimental to both parties in the long run. Is there someone we’ve put off making contact with, someone we need to forgive or say sorry to? Have we actually said “I love you” to the person we assume knows it? Have we allowed work or hobbies to get in the way of quality time together?

Or is there a decision you are putting off? Like taking necessary time out to relax & switch off? Or joining a new group, or volunteering to help with something? However big or small, you see, these decisions they do matter. It might even be recognising your need for Jesus today and committing to follow Him … or deciding to be baptised? Is this the gentle nudge you needed?

My prayer for us all is that we are quickly able to identify when we are putting off things that need our attention today. Thank God that He is patient and loves us unconditionally, despite ourselves. We will not fail with Jesus. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

He has made us good enough by dying & rising again. We have new life & new hope because of Him. May we be wise to that truth every day of our lives. Amen

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.