[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Oct/2023]
Having been away for a week, Barbara and I found it uplifting to be back for last Sunday’s service. Martin’s sermon was thought provoking, and the music and worship songs led by Dazz were uplifting. I could quote the truth from all of the songs but in “The Rock” the words we sang “Jesus You hold the world in your hands …. I am secure in Your plans …” were especially encouraging.
When I was approaching 50 the bank I worked for was putting pressure on staff to take “voluntary” redundancy. This has continued until this day, therefore all four banks in the town where we live have closed. At that time I went to an evening service for some reason at a local church near Edenbridge I didn’t normally go to. I was naturally worried that in the near future I was going to lose my job but I found that evening a wonderful promise from God for the future.
The minister gave a message that God controlled the present and the future for all Christians and individual churches. He ended by saying, “I was taught at Baptist theological college to have three points in a sermon, but I have given you nine points. However, God will have underlined one point for you.” I glanced down at the notes I had taken, and there God had led me to underline these words. “Don’t be afraid, I’ve got your future all sorted out.”
At the age of 49 the call came to me from the bank for an interview and suggested it was time for me to leave, but I refused. Instead, I suggested that I left when I was 50 and took early retirement, which they said was impossible. However, several weeks later they gave me a job for a year followed by a redundancy package and an early retirement pension!
After working for a charity for over a year the bank asked me to come back on a three day a week contract, and that, together with my pension, took my income back to what it was before my retirement. This went on until I was nearly 60. I liked it when I went home on a Wednesday and my colleagues used to wish me a good weekend.
Isn’t it thrilling when God keeps his promises in such an amazing way?
There are times when all of us face worries and challenges about the future, especially in such challenging times as today. But we can have faith in our heavenly Father that He will meet all of our needs with our finances, circumstances and health.
God has certainly been true to His plans for me and will be to you also.
My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
— and the best of His plans are yet to come —
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 v5-6 [NLT]
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Last week’s reflection: Following Jesus by Dazz Jones
Contributed by Michael Goble; © Michael Goble