[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during January 2025]
The prize-winning 1930s musical ‘Of Thee I Sing’ is a political satire focussing on the election and inauguration of a somewhat unconventional president of the United States. The storyline includes promises made and broken, threats of impeachment, international tension and thwarted ambitions. Of course, being fiction, it concludes with them all living happily ever-after.
Whilst on the subject of US presidents, Barack Obama used the same title for his 2010 book detailing the lives and achievements of a number of people who had made significant contributions to American society. His book was addressed to his daughters, to encourage them to see challenges as stepping-stones to success.
We too have a book that has been written by our Father, in which we can see details of the lives, struggles and achievements of those who have travelled the path of faith before us. Many of them encountered difficulties and dark times but, in retrospect, were able to say that God had been there with them.
The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
Psalm 118 v7 [NIVUK]
Joseph, the favoured son of Jacob, certainly experienced a series of highs and lows before reaching the pinnacle of Egyptian society at the age of thirty. By contrast, Moses had been a prince in Egypt but at the age of 80 he was entrusted with a horde of dissident nomads. In both cases, their experiences prepared them for the work that God called them to do.
Are we tempted to look at our achievements with a degree of self-satisfaction? Have we ‘arrived’? After success, what next? The prophet Elijah demonstrated the power of God in a dramatic way on Mount Carmel but shortly afterwards he fell into despondency.
He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’
1 Kings 19 v4 [NIVUK]
The apostle Paul and his companions faced more than their fair share of dark days and difficulties as they sought to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. During a visit to Philippi, Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten and thrown into prison. However, this experience did not cause them to question their mission.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Acts 16 v25 [ESVUK]
We too have our dark times and difficulties, and may be tempted to ask questions about the meaning of it all. Do we see these challenges as obstacles or as opportunities to learn and look forward? These words were written by Philip Bliss nearly 150 years ago but they remain relevant to us today.
I will sing of my Redeemer and his heavenly love for me;
he from death to life has brought me, Son of God, with him to be.
Sing, O sing of my Redeemer! With his blood he purchased me;
on the cross he sealed my pardon, paid the debt, and made me free.
Living happily ever-after does not happen only in musicals or fairy tales – by faith we too can look forwards to living happily ever-after in a heavenly home. Surely that is something to sing about.
References:
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Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys
Thank you Steve for providing us with a text we can reflect on and gain encouragement when we experience times of difficulty.