Sherry and I went to a church yesterday with some nice, sweet people who love God and our Lord Jesus Christ. They sang worship hymns, had a Bible teaching, and fellowshipped afterward. But I had to wonder what our heavenly Father, and especially what our loving Lord Jesus Christ, both thought about this. These people confused the two and kept calling Jesus God. That may be what they believe, but it doesn’t change what’s true.
While working on the structure of the gospel of John, I saw a scripture verse that astounded me.
John 18:2:
Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
I’ve thought about this verse for a number of years.
I Peter 5:7:
Casting all your care upon him [God]; for he careth for you.
What are you afraid of? Pain, suffering, poverty, sickness, looking foolish, losing love, being disliked, failing at your job, a bad marriage, a country in chaos? There is plenty to fear if we let our minds go that route. But God gave you free will and the ability to think His thoughts. Then you can claim His power and shine forth for Him!
“What are we gonna do?”
So often, men and women (and especially guys) see a problem and immediately want to go fix it. That can be a noble ambition, when it is tempered with God’s wisdom and grace. I can remember quite a few times in my life when my trying to fix things actually made them worse. But God’s mercy covers, and He is always ready to help us through our troubles when we trust Him to do so.
Background
Ancient versions of Psalms (based on Massoretic and manuscript evidence) divide them into five sections that correspond to the first five books of the Bible.
(Psalms 1—41) Genesis: Written concerning “the true David,” the Messiah. Just as Genesis shows God’s “good work” in giving man dominion (Genesis 1:27-31) and in promising to send a redeemer (Genesis 3:15), these 41 Psalms show the Messiah overcoming his enemies with God’s help. The final Psalm ends with blessing God and “Amen and Amen.”
For about ten years of our married life, Gene and I would often fly back to the states from our home in the Pacific. Flying time was usually about a total of 18 hours, one way. I had no fear of flying at first, but after a few years of this I started to get worried. My growing fear began to eat away at my trust in the heavenly Father to keep me safe always.
I went for a beautiful walk this week up the hill from where we live. After plentiful rains, the literally acres upon acres of yellow-green mustard plants glistened in the sun. Bright golden fields of Brown-eyed Susans were punctuated by the royal purple of lupine and phacelia. I looked for my favorite—mariposa lilies—on the way up to the top, but did not find them in their haunt from two years before when rains were also abundant.
Life has been full of challenging pressures, learning adventures, and great times with my heavenly Father. I love how the challenges and difficulties can bring me one of two ways. Either I end up doing things my way, or I get into the Word and do it God’s way.
With so much concern and distrust in our nation and around the world, it is time to come back to our heavenly Father’s Word and trust His abundant promises. Here is a poem about those who do.
Over the paths of time they come,
Believers who daily put trust in Him,
God rewards faithfulness to His Word,
His promises endless, with power to win.
O’er sorrow or hardship or crying or death,
God’s hand reigns triumphant as we but believe,
No working of Satan is greater than He,
Who’s given us freely the gifts we receive.
Latch on to His promises, hold forth the truth,
In love, speaking freely with boldness and light.
Trust in His riches, your mind now renewed,
To all the resources provided in Christ!
Do we stand in doubt at the grace He bestows?
Are men’s lies more steadfast than God or His power?
We’ll faithfully trust Him, and as our strength grows,
Together in victory, we shine forth each hour!