Funeral for a friend

This weekend Jo and I sadly had to travel down to Purley for the funeral of our friend Kevin. He'd been struggling with depression and had been missing since October. It seems everything had got too much for him...

I first met Kevin in my second year at uni, and he quickly established himself as a loveable, loyal and firey man who put everyone before himself and faithfully pointed people towards the Lord Jesus.

His death has indeed been hard for the so many people whose lives he touched, and he will indeed be greatly missed. But thanks be to God that He chose Kevin before he was born to be part of His people, saved by the blood of Jesus alone, and now Kev is waiting for us all to come home with him.

We sung this song at the funeral, and I think this encapsulates the hope that belivers have in the God who died for them:-

O Lord my God,
When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Overcoming evil with good -Romans 12:17-21

Here's the transcript to a sermon I gave this Sunday just gone at St Johns. Any feedback appreciated :-)



How do you feel when someone wrongs you? When someone does something wrong to you, how do you feel? It can be big or little things. When people say things that are hurtful, when you have been abused, physically or verbally, when you were cheated out of winning scrabble? How do you feel?
People are a pain aren’t they? When people have wronged me in the past, I’ve often repaid them likewise. During my time in Lancaster University Christian Union, I ran the technical team, and clashed with some lovely, but at times annoying, musicians. They would not turn up on time; they would change instrument arrangements, and not give me the song words on time. My response, as later related to me by my successor, was to go out of my way to annoy those that annoyed me.
Maybe I should have looked more carefully at our passage this morning!
Just to give us some background. Paul is writing this letter to a church in Rome. He writes that he is not ashamed of the gospel or the good news, for that news is God’s power to save from His wrath and anger , which Paul tells has been shown against all mankind , and that not one person is good, understands, or seeks God at all. All have turned away, and no one can save themselves .
Yet God demonstrates His love and shows His mercy in sending Jesus , who takes that wrath in our place by dying on a cross . By faith alone , He is our substitute. We are now dead to our rebellion against God, called sin, and slaves to righteousness, that is, obedience to God . Yet we are not perfect, and the fight against sin rages on and on . But, there is hope at the end of time, when Jesus will return. We yearn for it as we share in His sufferings now, knowing that God is at work for the good of those who love Him. He is growing us to be more and more like Christ, by His Holy Spirit, and nothing can separate us from that . He has always been at work, having chosen us before we were even born to be His children. He is that merciful.
That was the first half of the book. The second half begins then at chapter 12, verses 1 and 2 which read: - “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
In view of God’s mercy; that is in sending Jesus to die for them, Paul tells the Romans to offer their bodies as living sacrifices. To give up their whole lives in service to the God who died for them. This is their worship. Not just their music, their church going or good works, but their whole lives, all of the time, as God works in them, transforming them and growing them.
His focus now, is the Christian’s practical response to God’s mercy. Having looked at how to treat believers and non-believers , his attention is now on how the Romans are to treat those who wrong them. This is something He has already begun to address back in v14 which reads: - “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” With this idea in mind let’s look at our passage with our first section: - live in peace.

V17-18 – Live in Peace

Have a look with me at v17:- “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
In view of God’s mercy, the Romans need to demonstrate that same mercy to those who wrong them. This is a very important thing. Be careful to do it, says Paul. Why? Because it is not what God has done to us. Imagine if He repaid our evil with evil? It is what we deserve. Yet He didn’t. He showed love and mercy. “While we were still sinners: Christ died for us”, says chapter 5, v 8. In view of such mercy, they need to show that same mercy, even to those who don’t show it to them. They need to be doing what is right in everybody’s eyes, and as much as possible, live in peace with everyone. This seems a near impossible task. It can be hard getting on with those close to you, let alone everyone else. When I was younger, my dad got into a fight with a neighbour, over the height of a perimeter hedge! The police were called and everything! It shows doesn’t it, just how easily we can disagree with anyone. Yet Paul commands, in view of God’s mercy, for the Romans to do right in everybody’s eyes, and live as much as possible, in peace. Because God is merciful, peaceful and loving, and He wants His followers to be like that, in response to what He has done for them, even towards those who have hurt them. Notice what it is not saying. Tempting as it is to read doing right in everybody’s eyes as an excuse to compromise living godly lives in favour of keeping people happy. That is not what is going on. Think of the context from which we are dealing. In view of God’s mercy, doing what is right. Not what everyone thinks is right. And doing it when possible, for of course Paul recognises, as do the readers; that not everyone will appreciate, nor reciprocate our acts of peace.
Conducting themselves in such a manner will mean some ways of dealing with wrongdoers are denied them, which brings us on to our second point:- Revenge is God’s.

V19 – Revenge is God’s
Revenge is up to God, Paul says in v19: “19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” They are urged to leave room for God’s wrath, to let God administer judgement. “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men” says Paul back in chapter 1. Mankind is all under judgement anyway, and has no moral ground to stand on above each other. ““It is mine to avenge; I will repay”, says the Lord.” This is taken from a book in the Old Testament called Deuteronomy. God here is talking about judging His people Israel, who have rejected Him. How does this fit in? Well, Paul spells out crystal clearly in the letter that not one person is good and that God’s just anger has been revealed against all mankind . Therefore, what right do any have to avenge those who have wronged them, when God has seen fit to send His only Son, as the substitute, who takes God’s anger from us onto Himself? It is God’s job to judge. Not the Romans’. He is just, and His wrath fully deserved by all. Yet, in His mercy, He has saved some.
It is very easy to feel hard done by, and vengeance is an idea that permeates our culture. For example, I don’t know how many of you follow the comic hero Batman. But he is someone who created his persona driven very much by vengeance. In some cases, vengeance is law. I wonder how many of you have heard of Ameneh Bahrami, a very beautiful Muslim girl. One man desired her, and she turned him down. He avenged himself by throwing acid in her face, permanently disfiguring her. Under Sharia law, this man was sentenced to have the very same thing done to him, by his victim. Paul doesn’t want that in this, or any church. What right have they to judge? On what moral basis do they stand? None, like all men and women, all they have to stand on, is the grace and mercy of God alone. Do not take revenge, leave room for God’s wrath. Let Him do the work of judging, because only He can and has the right to.
What Paul calls the Romans to do instead is a stark contrast, which brings us on to our final point:- overcome evil with good.

V20-21 – Overcome evil with good

Have a look with me at v20:- “On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Here is how the Romans are to treat people. They are to show mercy: feed the hungry, quench the thirsty, show kindness and compassion to the weak. Why? Don’t they have enough problems to deal with? Well, I wonder what state the world would be in if God thought along those lines. He held back nothing, but gave up His one and only Son, to die an innocent death, to save us, the weak, the powerless, and the ungodly.
This section contains another Old Testament quote, this time from Proverbs 25, practical advice for the believer, under God. Again, don’t read this as a to-do list in order to please God. Remember, this is all written to be done, in view of God’s mercy. Because He has shown us the ultimate example of mercy and love in Jesus, the Romans are to respond in likeness towards others, in and out of the church, and not just with well wishing, but physical, practical love, perhaps opening their home to people, reaching out to those in need, all the time showing the mercy of God to them in their lives, by acting mercifully to those around them. It can be a powerful witness, showing, as well as explaining what God has done for us in Jesus.
This is not just for anyone though is it? Have a look back at the verse again: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” We cannot read this as a superficial ‘be nice to people’ kind of passage. This love and mercy is to be shown to the enemies that the Romans face; those that persecute them, hate them, wrong them. What a challenge! It is a natural ingraining to want to get your own back on those who have upset you. But no, says Paul. In view of God’s mercy, be merciful to your enemies. “For by doing so you will heap burning coals on his head.” It is God who judges, it is not the job of the Romans to take their revenge on their enemies. That is up to God. Repay their evil by showing God’s mercy. Their deeds will be unmasked, and justice will be done. It’s hard to see exactly what this means, but we know it can’t be vindictive, lest it contradict what has already been said. Don’t be overcome by evil, tempting though it is, but overcome the evil done, by doing good in return. Show God’s mercy, and win them to repentance.

App and Imp

From this, let’s think through some implications.
We have seen all the way through how the readers at the church in Rome were to take this passage. They were to respond in view of God’s mercy, by following these commands that Paul gives. But it is not just for them is it?
If you are a Christian here this morning, listen to these words. We too are believers, once under God’s wrath and now saved by the blood of Jesus alone. What Paul asks of the Romans, I think he can ask of us too.
Let’s return to our question at the beginning; how are we when we are wronged? Naturally, we do want to get our own back, and the world seems to be ok with that. How are we when someone upsets us? I know for me, it’s really easy to get them back with the same kind of thing. What a challenge this passage is then, to repay the evil done to us with God-given mercy. Feed and clothe our enemies? Most of the time we wish to vanquish them and take our revenge on them, just like in the films. That is what the world wants us to do. For how often are criminals looked down upon by us? “I’m not a Hitler, Goebbels or a Gadaffi” we say. Yet, what right have we to judge, and take revenge? Under God, we all stand equal under judgement, and equal under mercy.
Back to Ameneh Bahrami. She was told to repay her attacker with the very same evil done to her. However, she did not. She pardoned him. Or the story of Kathy Diosy, a Hungarian Jew who suffered much atrocity under Hitler. After turning to Jesus for her forgiveness, she forgave Hitler. This of course does not belittle their suffering, or anybody’s, even people in here today. All of us I’m sure have suffered because we have been wronged. Yet, what was the response of the Lord Jesus as He hung on the cross? “Father, forgive them.” Indeed, He died so that we can be forgiven.
We want to repay wrongdoers likewise. How much we hate to forgive, and how much we love revenge. But no, God’s word tells us to be counter-cultural, by modelling the mercy of God, to those who show us anything but.
How radical this is, and how much will it make us stand out? But this is what this passage tells us to be like. Back in v2, we are told to no longer conform to the pattern of this world, and doing this is just that. For what a powerful witness this is. In view of the gospel, show it off, and by God’s grace, some may be brought in, by that same mercy.
If you are not a Christian here this morning, firstly, we’re so glad to be able to welcome you here today, and secondly, how do you feel about this passage? This response of the Christian, saved by Jesus death, is to respond with mercy to those that wrong them. How different, how…frankly…odd. Yet this is the way of the cross. We have all treated our God and Father evilly. But, He responded with mercy, sent His Son to die for us, and has indeed overcome evil with good. I invite you to consider the claims of Jesus, and hope this shows that for the Christian, it is not about doing good things, or judging others. But no, it is responding alone to the mercy that God has shown, by Christ dying for us on a cross, and bringing us into a new relationship with Him.
To sum up then; because of Jesus death then, we need to exhibit that same mercy in face of adversity. To repay evil with evil is to be overcome by evil. But, to repay evil with good, in view of God’s mercy, is to indeed overcome evil with good. We’ll just have a moment of quiet; perhaps have a think through of how practically this passage will work for you in your life? Who are those who wrong us, and how can we love them with this God-given mercy? And then I’ll pray.



Father God,
Thank you so much for the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Thank you for showing us mercy in the face of our evil, and thank you that you are just in your judgement. Father, in your mercy, please help us to respond to your mercy, by showing mercy to those that wrong us. Help us to model your gospel to those who hate us, and by your grace, would it cause them to consider the claims of Christ, and too receive your mercy.
In Jesus name,
Amen.

Apathy

I had a phone call from the job centre a couple of days ago. Thinking these days were over, I timidly answered the call.
They were just doing a quick review of what I was up to these days.


At that moment I was struck by the mercy of God. Thinking back to when I started the blog, I was jobless, unmarried and hanging on to a room in Lancaster by a thread. Now, a year and a half later, God has allowed Jo and I to get married, gien me full time work, and we are both still serving at Moorlands church in Lancaster.

How great is our God!

Times can be very hard, and we are never promised an easy time, far from it. How merciful is God, to chose before we were born, to save us from our deserved judgement by sending Jesus to die in our place, so that we might be children of God, awaiting a future where every tear will be wiped away as God's promised New Creation comes. How merciful is He to use our trials to mold us to be more like Christ.

How merciful He is in providing for His children.

I confess that I am sometimes prone to apathy and stress, in my job, my marriage, and to the small group I lead at church, yet how far has God brought me.

Times are hard, and trials pain us, but look to the merciful God of the universe, and His saving mercy found only in Christ crucified, and remember just how many abounding mercies He provides dailys.

Join me in praising God today.

New Name

So it's been a long while.

I've changed the name to refelct the purpose of this blog, that is, to "proclaim the truth of the Bible, to encourage readers to trust in Christ, and keep going for Him until the End."

My prayer is that God will be speaking through His Word the Bible, not mine, in order to spur faith and trust in His people, to spur them on for Him.


Revelation 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

10 questions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDHJ4ztnldQ



Having looked at the video, here are some thoughts.

I do agree that the 10 questions raised are very interesting ones, and good points to make.
In regards to the first 3, I think it comes to the basic problem of reconciling a good, all-knowing and all loving God with the very visible presence of evil and suffering in the world that we live in. It's true isn't it that all we have to do is look around us and find some form of suffering and evil, be it in our lives, our family or friends' lives, or indeed the lives of total strangers that we see in the news.
The world we live in is not right. In fact, from the perspective of the Bible, it is not at all how it was originally made to be.

Let me explain...

The Bible firmly maintains that God is the loving ruler and creator of the world. At this point, as it becomes relevant, I would like to address question 4. The Bible is not a scientific textbook, it's not meant to be. It's focus is on WHY God made the world, rather than HOW. The focus is on God's instigation, rather than methods.

So the Bible maintains God as loving ruler and creator of the world, and made us, human beings, to live in and rule the world under God.

We as humans were not happy with that arrangement, and so rebelled against God, wanting to rule ourselves, and reject Him. That is what the Bible calls 'sin'.

Sin is in the world, and it has tainted the world. Sin is evil, and a byproduct is suffering...so death, sickness, starvation, all sorts of things, are a byproduct of sin, that is OUR rebellion against God.

Why doesn't God do anything about it?

God is Holy, that is, completely perfect. We, tainted by OUR sin, are the complete opposite. He cannot stand to be anywhere near us because of OUR sin. He made the world, He's in charge of the world.

Actions have consequences, and the Bible is very clear that the consquence of OUR rebellion is OUR death. The consequence of sin is death.

Thats the main thing we must focus on. Our inablility to save ourselves from our sin, and it's consequence:- death, and to face just judgement from God. After all, we rebelled, He's the the just judge. He would not be so if this was left unjudged.

The Bible says that God is mericful. He stepped into history, as Jesus Christ, to sort out the mess we have made.

Below is an extract from a biography of Jesus in the Bible, written by an intelligent person, a doctor and historian called Luke. In this section, Jesus is addressing the question of suffering and evil:-

Luke 13:1-5:-

1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Jesus is addressing two incidents where many people died. He acknowledges suffering in this world. But what is is his focus? His focus is on God's judgement on all of humanity for their rebellion. The word repent means to turn back, literally take a complete U turn in your life away from your self and rebellious motives and towards God. That is the Creation setting that we have tried to reverse.

Jesus suffered. Jesus died. He died in the most brutal way possible, nailed to a cross for a crime He did not commit, an innocent suffer, who did no wrong.

Why?

Remember our condition, that we have rebelled and face the right judgement of God. We cannot get out ourselves. So, Jesus got us out. He died that death, and took all our sin, guilt, shame, rebelliousness, and died the very death that all of us, Christians and non-Christians alike, deserve. To repent is to trust that He did that, and that what He did is the only way we find ourselves completely forgiven by God, and set to face an eternity with Him.


So there is suffering. There is no distinction, all have sinned and fall short before God. All need Jesus. It does not surprise me that the divorce rathe for Christians is high. We have all rebelled, and we cannot take the moral high ground, never. That is why a lot of suffering goes unhealed. IT is not God ignorign us. It is the state of the world we live in. To get to the world to come, where suffering ceases, where tears shall be wiped away and death be gone forever, what we need to do in this world, is turn to God for forgiveness, which comes only through the cross of Christ: His death, which we remember by drinking wine and eating bread, as symbolic reminders of what He did for us.

We see what He did as written down in the Bible from the testimony of those who saw Him.



So theres LOADS to take in there, and I have not addressed every question. But I hope these thoughts help. Keep getting in touch if theres anything else you would like to know.

The Struggle

Do we sometimes feel like our lives are a prolonged agony, like being dragged over broken glass? Life can feel like that sometimes. A lot of stuff goes wrong very fast, or your just in a situation you hate to be in. You want a way out, a quick way out, and not be feeling like this.

We live in a life of struggle and hardship. This is the way of our fallen world. It is a fallen world because we have fallen. We suffer because we have rebelled. We opted for that choice to sideline God in favour of ourselves, and try and live our own way. It never works.

What surrounds us can seem inescapable, so we try and find our own way. A way which is not God's way.

Take the book of Hebrews in the Bible for example. Here is a book that visibly demonstrates that pattern: of, under suffering, human beings desperately trying to claw their way out of the pit of despair. Have a good long read of it.

The letter is to a group of Hebrews, being tempted away from the gospel of faith in Christ alone, to trusting in their own works, a twisting of the Old Testament law instead. This is because they are suffering, persectued for their beliefs. The author therefore spends the letter pointing them back to the gospel, that new, better covenant (chapter 8) that comes once and for all in the blood of Jesus (9-10), not the earthly rituals that were but copies of the things to come.

It is by faith we endure, says chapter 11, because of Jesus, encouraging one another with His gospel says chapters 3 and 4, so that we can say with the author in chapter 12:1-2 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."


When life feels painful, that we cannot go on, look to Jesus, who knows our suffering (chapter 4), and went to the cross, for us (1-13), We need to be encouraging one another, in that gospel, daily, for that is how we endure (3-4).

This is but a brief thought on this subject. I really encourage you those who do not know and those who know this book, please go and read it, and pray that you, me, and others around you will know and live out the gospel, by faith, as we endure the struggle. For our need for the gospel does not end or diminish after we trust in Jesus for the first time as Christian believers. We need to be reminded of His Word in the Bible, as Hebrews 4: 12- 13 says: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account."

When we cry and long for end, look to Jesus, who has endured more than we ever could,(12) so that we can one day enter God's rest (4), the race run at last, for the ultimate glory of God Himself, and with that our good caught up in the amazing wonderful blessings. For our God is amazing, He never lets us go (Romans 8:19-37), and His kingdom can never, no never, be shaken (Hebrews 12:28-29).

To close this brief thought (I keep reminding that it is brief in the hope you go and read furthur. There is so much to Hebrews, indeed to the whole Bible. I encourage you to stand firm in the struggle with our only hope, the gospel of Christ. The lyrics to the song below are a fantastic expression of these truths:-


How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
to all who for refuge to Jesus have fled.

In every condition - in sickness and health,
in poverty’s grip or abounding in wealth,
at home or abroad, on the land, on the sea -
as days may demand shall your strength ever be.
Since Jesus is with you, do not be afraid:
since he is your God, you need not be dismayed;
he’ll strengthen you, guard you, and help you to stand,
upheld by his righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters he calls you to go,
you will not be drowned in the rivers of woe;
for he will be with you in trouble, to bless
and work for your good through your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
his grace all-sufficient shall be your supply;
the flames shall not harm you: his only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

The soul that in Jesus has found its repose,
he will not, he cannot, desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,he’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Doubting God

It's a challenge that we all face. It is a tactic of the satan to make us stumble, to not stand firm and trust in the God who died for us.

When do you doubt God? I'll hold my hands right up now and say that the temptation for me to give up has been very close in the past few days.

Surprised? I am. The wedding is back on, lots of people can make it, and God is in control of our trials.

Yet our sinful natures don't like that phrase 'God is in control.' Of course, as the Bible tells us, He is, and that is awesome and amazing (Romans 8). But when we doubt, we doubt that truth.

I mean, that is what I was doing yesterday when life overwhelmed me and, through a very tearful phone call with Jo, admitted to myself that everything in my life was destined to go wrong, that was my default. Yes, a lot has gone wrong, very frequently, so my logic was to label everything as going wrong, full stop, forever.

In fact, I was very much like a man of the Old Testament named Asaph.

Now Asaph, according to 1 Chronicles 6:39, was of the tribe of Levi, and a psalmist.

He wrote Psalm 77. Why not read it to yourself now as we look at it. If you don't have a Bible handy, use this link: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2077&version=ESV

The first half of this passage has the writer in doubt of God. He seeks God yes, in verse 1-2, but "his soul refuses to be comforted" and he moans at remembering God.

How often have we felt like this? As Christians, we know it is right to seek God and trust in Him, but how much of that is empty words? When we are so troubled that we cannot speak, what are our thoughts of God?

Well Asaph doubts. In verses 7-9 he questions many of God's characteristics: His gracious election, His unfailing love, His faithfulness to His promises, His mercy and His compassion. These are characteristics that the whole Bible continues to proclaim about God, see how God describes Himself in Exodus 34:6-7, see Him make His promises to Abraham of land, people and blessing in Genesis 12 and 15, see Him promise to cleanse His people from their sin so that these promises can be accessed in Ezekiel 36 and 37, and see Him ultimately fullfill them in Christ Jesus.

This is what we must ask ourselves, has God forgotten us? Are our trials and tears to overwhelm us? Has God shut up His compassion?

What does Asaph do in verse 11? He focuses His mind, to remember the deeds of the Lord, to remember that God has worked and will work.

God is in control. We see that in verse 16 as the waters tremble before God, and in verses 19-20 as God parts waters in leading His people, His flock, through the turbulence. Anyone else reminded of the Exodus, as God parts the waters to let His chosen people through? Well, have a look at how those people were feeling prior to that great rescue:

"¹⁰When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD. ¹¹They said to Moses, "Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? ¹²Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." ¹³And Moses said to the people,^D)"> "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. ¹⁴ The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.""

If God can do that, indeed, if God can do a greater salvation, the death and resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, then surely He will not abandon us. See how Paul puts it in Romans 5:10 "¹⁰For if^A)"> while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."

So what to do when we doubt. Whatever we do, we must fight, fight the satan. And what is our weapon, God's Word. God's living and active word, the gospel, His salvation plan that involves us, us who He allows to trust in Him.

For He is a trustworthy God, who has proved that so many times. And we need to force ourselves to remember that, even when it seems the entire world is falling apart around you: plans not going ahead, people moving away, you moving away, watching people battle around you, even when you are having a completely crap time, God never changes. He is indeed in control, open up the Bible to see that. For we have that gospel that He gives, indeed, as Jesus says in that often quoted but not always thought about verse: "For^A)"> God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Keep reminding youself, and others, of the gospel. Force yourself, and remember God is at work.

There's a great kid's song that I think sums this up well, it's called Powerful Love:-

Let’s give thanks to our God
our God is so good
he’s the God of gods
and Lord of lords
he made the heavens above
he made the land and the water
he made them just by
speaking his powerful words

His powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on and on forever

God struck down the Egyptians
but saved his special people
with his mighty hand
and his mighty outstretched arm
he split the sea in two
and destroyed the Egyptian army
but his special people
walked through without harm
because...

His powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on and on forever

Jesus Christ is God
our mighty, powerful God
he struck down all our enemies:
death and sin
and he defeated Satan
he crushed him on the head (ouch!)
he did it when he died
and rose again
because...

His powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on
his powerful love goes on and on forever



Are you feeling doubtful of God's work in your life and situations therein? Don't feel guilty, look to the cross, force yourself to, remember the grace shown most in the gospel. For God's love, powerful love, does indeed go on and on forever.

Know anyone feeling doubtful? Why not pray for them to remember the awesome truth, and why not give them a call too?