[This reflection by David Makanjuola was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 12/Jan/2025]
During the sermon on Sunday, Martin talked about looking away from ourselves and the difficult situations we might find ourselves in, but to look up to God for His help and then to look around us and recognise the plight of others and seek to help them.
A similar comment about looking up to God is found in Psalm 121. Verses 1 and 2 state, “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.”
You are more likely to turn to someone you know and trust when you are in difficulty, more likely to turn to a friend, less likely to an acquaintance, and even less so to a stranger. So, how well do you know Christ?
Paul, the apostle, in his second letter to Timothy says “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him…” 2 Timothy 1 v12 [NIVUK].
Graham Kendrick wrote many songs, one of them contains the lyrics:
“Knowing you, Jesus, knowing you, there is no greater thing…”
I pray that I will get to the stage where I have that firm assurance that I know Jesus, rather than just know of Him. I think this is important, because when life’s storms come, those who are able to stand and remain standing when the storm abates, are those who have a firm foundation, those who truly know the God they have believed in.
I take comfort from Martin’s contribution in Yours last week, where he quotes Mother Teresa as follows: “I have never had clarity. What I’ve always had is trust. I will pray that you learn to trust God.”
I will trust God to help me to know him better each day. Jesus said “whoever comes to me, I will not cast out“. John 6 v37 [ESVUK]
James, the brother of Jesus, says “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” James 4 v8 [NKJV].
The current sermon series at Church is titled ‘Was that it?’ It focuses on the fact that following the build up to Christmas, Boxing Day and the days after can sometimes feel like a bit of a let-down. It shouldn’t be so for those who know God, because for them, Christmas was never about the food, the trappings, or the stress, but about Christ, someone they have come to know, and to know better each passing day.
My prayer for us all as we go into the New Year are words from another song:
Day by day, dear Lord, these three things I pray,
To see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly, Day by day.
Happy New Year
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Last Sunday’s reflection: Would you live your life differently? by Martin Shorey
Contributed by David Makanjuola; © David Makanjuola