[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during April 2024]
Did you forget? On Sunday morning did you “show up an hour late like two frozen peas”?[1] The clocks went forward, but did you?
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Category: ‘Tuesday Challenge’
God Made Time
When Love Died
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]
In 1952 the Eurasian author Han Suyin published her semi-autobiographical novel “A Many Splendored Thing”. It describes a romance between two people of different cultures, both of whom had experienced the loss of their previous relationships. The principal male character is separated from his wife, the principal female character is a widow. Although those circumstances are very different, they are both examples of ways in which love has, in practical terms, died.
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Why?
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]
Why do bad things happen to good people?
This question was prompted by the news that two former members of HBC, both of whom played significant roles in the life of the church in times past, are now facing serious health issues. In this week’s ‘Yours’ Chris alludes to a similar circumstance. The question is not new, it is one that has been asked by many people over a long period of time. Solomon contributed to the debate with his assertion:
There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve. Ecclesiastes 8 v14 [NIVUK]
In attempting to answer this question, it might be easier to address the parallel question first. Why do good things happen to bad people? Why is so much ‘good luck’ being wasted on those that do not deserve it? Why are we having to struggle when ‘sinners’ seem to have an easy life?
Job had some similar questions: “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” “Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment? Why must those who know him look in vain for such days?”[1]
In his sermon on the mount, Jesus spoke about God the Father, saying: “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”[2] But this description of God’s impartiality does not answer the “Why?”
The apostle Paul offered an answer: “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance”.[3] But does it? We take God’s blessings for granted so often that he has to try another approach. That brings us back to the original question.
Are there times when you feel tempted to ask “Lord, whose side are you on?”. Certainly king Hezekiah must have felt like that as he saw the army of Sennacherib king of Assyria advancing on Jerusalem, He had already unsuccessfully tried appeasement so he resorted to more desperate measures. He went to the Temple and appealed for God’s help. Surely he should have done that first; certainly it is an example that we should follow more often.
Can we echo the Psalmist’s words?
It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119 v71-72 [ESVUK]
Does that suggest an answer for us? Could it be that the adversities that we experience are intended to bring us closer to God?
Chris concluded her thoughts with some other well-known words from Paul. It is appropriate to repeat them here:
We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are chosen to be a part of His plan Romans 8 v28 [NLV]
References:
[1] Job 21 v7, Job 24 v1
[2] Matthew 5 v45
[3] Romans 2 v4
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 onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last week’s reflection: Let Lying Dogs Sleep
Let Lying Dogs Sleep
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]
On a recent visit to a grocery shop I saw a dog lying adjacent to the doorway. He was not aggressive and was no doubt tired after spending the night conversing with his neighbours. As each person entered the shop he raised his head and opened his eyes with an expression that seemed to say “Please, let a lying dog sleep”.
There may well have been people were deterred from entering the shop because the dog was there. They did not know his character but they had heard that some dogs are far from welcoming. There may well be people who are wary of coming to church because they are unsure of the welcome that they might receive.
Last week, in Birmingham, the Kennel Club held its annual dog show with some 18,000 canine competitors. The dogs were judged by a number of criteria including appearance, ability and achievement. The Bible does not have much to say about dogs and much of what it does say is not complimentary. However, if your community of faith were to be compared with one of those classes of dog, how would it compare?
Guard dogs are large and impressive, their primary purpose is to protect those who have been accepted as insiders and keep outsiders at bay. They may have a savage appearance and a loud bark but once you have gained their acceptance they can be loyal. Does you welcome people or do they feel safer at a distance.
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; Psalm 22 v16 [NIVUK]
Hunting dogs range from those used for running down foxes and hares to those used for searching for truffles in French forests. They are always looking for something to their advantage and are liable to cause collateral damage whilst pursuing their target. How do you treat those who get in the way of your objectives?
My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High. Psalm 56 v2 [NKJV]
Lap-dogs spend their time in idle comfort. They are jealous of their privileged status and do not take kindly to anyone attempting to disturb them. One of the churches in Revelation was rebuked for having the characteristics of a lap-dog. Are you sitting comfortably?
You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” Revelation 3 v17a [NIVUK]
Working dogs are prepared to use their skills to help others. Their deportment and training mean that they can be relied upon in times of trouble. Gideon used a comparison with dogs when selecting his soldiers to rout the army of Midian.[1] Job spoke about his sheep dogs, considering them to be more worthy of respect than some of the people around him.[2] Jesus described how even dogs can share the blessings intended for others.[3] Do you have a reputation for being helpful and sharing?
At the end of the show the judges’ verdicts were announced and the rewards distributed. As with dogs, some churches can become good companions for life; others can surely only be loved by their devotees. What would be your Judge’s verdict?
References:
[1] Judges 7 v6 [NIVUK]
[2] Job 30 v1 [NIVUK]
[3] Mark 7 v27-28 [NIVUK]
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 onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last week’s reflection: Keep Calm and …
Keep Calm and …
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during March 2024]
In one of last week’s readings[1] a sentence caught my attention. Matthew, Mark and Luke all include accounts of Jesus calming a storm on the Sea of Galilee but Mark includes an additional detail. It could almost be a throw-away line but since generations of scribes and typists have been inspired to include it then it must have some relevance.
And other little boats were also with Him. Mark 4 v36 [NKJV]
Did they too experience the storm? Were they too threatened by the wind and rough sea? Did they too hear the disciples’ cries of fear and their appeal to Jesus? The answer to all three questions is almost certainly ‘yes’. Those who were in the other boats would surely have experienced the calm that followed after Jesus commanded the waves to be still.
Do we recognise that our prayers for ourselves can affect those around us? Should that have an effect on how we pray? Do we make a positive effort to share with them the blessings that we receive?
Some of these disciples were experienced fishermen, fully familiar with the hazards of embarking on an evening voyage across the sea. Despite knowing the risks, they set out, following the instruction that Jesus had given them.
Do you ever find yourself in the same boat as the disciples? Not literally of course, but metaphorically speaking. Does the course that you are following seem likely to end in disaster? To what extent are you willing to accept the risks that come with obeying Jesus?
The disciples had not yet fully understood who Jesus was. Their question “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”[2] is one that we too should ask. With two thousand years of hindsight we ought to be able to provide an answer but is our answer adequate?
Some time later, Jesus tried to explain to the disciples who he was and why he had come. He spoke about his death and resurrection but the response of the disciples was predictable:
They did not understand what He said and were afraid to ask Him. Mark 9:32 [NLV]
There are times when, as we read the Bible or listen to God in prayer, we feel that he is trying to tell us something but we do not understand. As we take time to ponder on what we have read or heard we should not be afraid to ask for clarity. Gideon, David and Jehoshaphat[3] are just three examples of people asking for confirmation of God’s will. Our prayer should echo that of the Psalmist:
Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word. Psalm 119 v169 [NIVUK]
References:
[1] The Essential Jesus, day 57
[2] Mark 8 v41
[3] Judges 6 v39, 1 Samuel 23 v2, 2 Chronicles 18 v6
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 onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last week’s reflection: God has No Grandchildren
God has No Grandchildren
[This is one in a series of devotional reflections prepared for Horley Baptist Church during February 2024]
In those areas of the world which have a dominant religion there is a general expectation that children growing up will conform to and adopt the religious practices around them. Often, not doing so can bring difficulties or even persecution. Even in those nations where a plurality of religion is accepted, a parent’s choice of religion will have an influence on choices made by their children.
However, this is not always the case. In the Old Testament we see many examples of children who have not followed their parents’ religious example. Eli, Samuel, even David all had sons who rejected their fathers’ faith. Similarly, the records of the kings of Judah contain many instances where successive kings, for good or for bad, did not behave as their fathers had.
Martin Luther was a Catholic priest in the 16th century at a time when that church was the dominant religious entity in Europe. Luther’s study of various books of the Bible led him to believe that the Catholic church of that day was acting in a way that was not true to the words of Scripture. His teachings led, in due course, to our understanding that a meaningful Christian faith is dependent on the relationship between God and each individual.
Being born into a Christian family is a great blessing but that is not enough. We cannot inherit a place in Heaven, no matter how deserving our parents may have been or what our social status may be. Nicodemus was a high-ranking member of Jewish society, well conversant with the religious laws of the time. He asked Jesus some questions about the kingdom of God.
Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again’.
John 3 v3 [NIVUK]
In modern secular society, ‘born again’ has become a term of derision and its spiritual significance is often dismissed. Jesus went on to explain to Nicodemus – and to us – what he meant. The conversation included words that have become so familiar that we risk overlooking their impact. We need to read them slowly:
For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish
but have eternal life.
John 3 v16 [NIVUK]
The death of Jesus Christ opened the way to establishing a personal relationship with God. Everybody is invited but each person must decide for themselves whether to accept that invitation. This is not a ‘take it or leave it’ invitation, it has eternal consequences. A subsequent verse contains a warning for those who decline it:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3 v18 [NIVUK]
Irrespective of what our relationship with our earthly parents is or has been, there is another relationship which surpasses the best that they could provide:
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!
1 John 3 v1 [NIVUK]
References:
[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 onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last week’s reflection: Hearers Only