Marching Forth!

This morning I read an article written in 1868 which holds forth a simple truth:  all who labour for the cause of Christ will have hard times.  We will experience opposition and setbacks while we are doing God's will.  It is a commonly held misconception among Christians that when we do something for God, He should make it easier.  Yet God does not remove from us the very trials which perseverance proves our faith to be genuine to us and a lost world.  Trials are opportunities for our growth and for deeper trust and reliance upon God moving forward. C.H. Spurgeon had no shortage of difficulties in his ministry which was greatly blessed by God.  When there is opportunity we can certainly expect adversity.  Spurgeon was deeply troubled by an  incident at the Surrey Music Hall where he was slated to speak and many people died in a panic.  Nature itself may seem to labour to hinder us by inclement weather.  He experienced loss when a stro...

" There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; a nd one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches ." Proverbs 13:7 Social media is strewn with people displaying luxurious cars, watches, and jewellery.  There is enviable status attached to celebrity, money, and branding.  People seem to love showing off their homes, bodies, collections, and exotic holiday locations as they "live the good life."  The old adage goes, "Money can't buy happiness," yet the pictures and captions labour to paint a different picture.  It's a fair question:  if we are not happy with what we have now, what's to say we will be happy with more? We can only eat so much at once, but our appetites for more are insatiable.  Isn't the good life more than the pursuit of happiness? King Solomon penned the Proverbs, and this powerful, wise, and famous man knew what he was talking about.   1 Kings 10:14 tells us how much gold Solomon received annually...

" And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn ." Zechariah 12:10 When Jesus preached and performed miracles, people wondered in amazement:  "Is this the Son of David?"  He was of David's line and was born in Bethlehem, but this question is concerning His identity as the Messiah, the Anointed One sent by God to be a Saviour and Deliverer.  After Jesus claimed to be sent by the Father  John 7:31 reads, " And many of the people believed in Him, and said, "When the Christ comes, will He do more signs than these which this Man has done ?"  It would be the death and resurrection of Christ which was the ultimate sign He is indeed the Christ, the Son of God. Last night I read through Zechariah 12 , and God spoke thro...

Despite having the solid truth of the scripture, it is possible for myths to worm their way into common Bible teaching.  I do not know the motives of those who do so at the first, but the human tendency to parrot stories without critical thought is prevalent.  As a kid I remember being told in Sunday School God was unapproachable in holiness.  This was illustrated by the chief priest wearing bells on his robe so other priests could hear him beyond the veil in the most holy place in the temple.  I was told a rope was tied to an ankle so if there was a prolonged silence (because the priest had offended God and been struck dead!) his corpse could be hauled out without endangering anyone else.  Perhaps you have heard a similar tale?  You might be interested to learn there is no scriptural evidence to support this idea and much which contradicts it. This morning I read the scripture where God laid out in great detail the clothing of the high priest.  I...

Last night at youth we discussed impact of our worldview in interpreting scientific evidence.  A participant in the conversation bravely asked something like, "Can you be a Christian and still believe in evolution?"  Though many young people in our group go to Christian private schools, belief in Darwinian evolution is largely believed and advocated by teachers and students alike.  I explained God has allowed a wide latitude of beliefs and practices among His people, and a belief in evolution does not strip anyone of their position as a follower of Christ.  The grave concern I have for all who do so is their willingness to substitute the ideas and philosophies of men for the plain Word of God. Evolutionary thinking is not the problem here.  The issue at stake is the authority of the Bible.  I have never heard anyone use the Bible to remotely prove their case for evolutionary theory - because evolutionary theory did not arise from the scripture.  Sti...

I recently saw a trailer for an upcoming movie titled "Life" which seemed cliche:  scientists go to Mars seeking "life" and initially celebrate after discovering it, but it turns out this form of life is a deadly threat to humans.  It struck me as amusing how man's quest for "life" beyond our planet is not only found in science fiction films, but is the aim of many scientists today.  I don't know what is crazier:  the fact we haven't found living organisms on other planets or the fact the earth is absolutely teeming with them. Pretty much everywhere on the earth, life is found flourishing.  Trees, grass, mammals, bacteria in the dirt and in the air, from the deep places in the sea to the highest mountains, in birds which soar above the clouds or human beings in aeroplanes, life on earth is everywhere.  Places completely unsuitable for human life are packed with other living creatures quite at home.  Look inside both living and dead things an...

Years ago, God used a piece of wood to convict me of my lack of faith in Him.  When I bought a pool table second-hand, a few old cues were included by the seller.  One of the cues was warped to the point it was not worth repairing.  As I went to throw it away, however, I was impressed by the solid feel in my hand.   This wouldn't be a bad club , I thought to myself.   If someone broke into my house, I would feel capable of defending myself with this in my hand .  So I discreetly stashed my improvised personal defence system in my bedroom. It wasn't long before I started thinking:  hasn't God promised to defend me and my family?  Was it possible I was trading divine protection and safety for my own strength?  Wouldn't it be better to do my part to responsibly secure the home with locks and lights and entrust myself to His care?  My club wouldn't do me any good if I was asleep, but the God of Israel does not slumber or sleep.  A cl...

" The golf swing is just about the farthest thing from a perfectible discipline in athletics...The most reliable swings are only relatively repeatable.  They never stop being works in progress ." Butch Harmon (citation below) When it comes to golf, I have never been more than a dabbler.  I have never been committed to playing and improving at golf as I have with others sports like baseball or ten-pin bowling.  I have never had professional lessons, have never been a member of a club, or played competitively.  To me golf is a fun activity over the past decades I have had various levels of engagement with, and my seasons of playing "regular" golf once a week is dwarfed by long stretches when I wasn't playing. I don't believe a sane person steps onto a golf course and expects to play at the level they played in previous years without practice.  As a teacher of professional golfers, Butch Harmon knows what he is talking about.  Players at the top of...

" If You, LORD , should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4  But there is forgiveness with You, t hat You may be feared ." Psalm 130:3-4 The Psalmist rightly pointed out the inability of anyone to stand before God in their own righteousness.  Man is universally condemned by his sin and rebellion before a holy God.  Yet God in His mercy, has not dealt with us according to our sins.  He has given us life, sent His Son to seek and save the lost, and opened our eyes to salvation through the Gospel.  A single sin would disqualify us from the presence of God forever, yet we have been washed clean and made righteous by faith in Jesus Christ.  God demonstrated His love through the death of Jesus for us sinners so we might be made saints. There is forgiveness with God, and verse 4 says for this grace He deserves our reverence and fear.  The ironic thing is because we have been forgiven and adopted into God's family we can actually fear ...

The scriptures are maligned when removed from their immediate context.  When the Bible is reduced to cliches, the original meaning is lost and replaced with assumptions and misconceptions of flawed people.  Take the now-cliche phrase, "Turn the other cheek."  The modern interpretation of this statement of Jesus is to be passive and avoid confrontation, to simply take personal attacks and say:  "Thank you - may I have another?"  Others have used this verse to encourage others to willingly remain in abusive or dangerous situations.  These interpretations misrepresent what Jesus is saying. In the Law of Moses, people had the right of retribution ( Lev. 24:17-20 ).  The Law provided protection for the innocent and provided limits on punishing wrongdoers so the "punishment fit the crime."  Jesus said in  Matthew 5:38-39 ,  " You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39   But I tell you not to re...

" Then all the congregation of the children of Israel set out on their journey from the Wilderness of Sin, according to the commandment of the LORD , and camped in Rephidim; but there was no water for the people to drink ." Exodus 17:1 It is significant God led the children of Israel to a place where there was a lack of what they needed.  They went to Rephidim according to God's command, yet there was no water!  The children of Israel did not pray for water but complained against the leadership of Moses.  One might think because God had miraculously made sweet the undrinkable waters of Marah they would have considered the infinite power of God.  In their distress the people did what we also tend to do instead of seeking God:  we think of ourselves and complain!  All along, God had their good in mind.  God led the people to a place without water so He could be revealed as their supply.  Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness ...

Has God ever revealed things and you wondered how He could bring them to pass?  His way are higher than ours, and He is able to do the impossible.  The life of Joseph provides a riveting tale of how God used difficult circumstances to accomplish His will.  Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, but God meant it for good.  We read in scripture when his brothers sold Joseph to merchants God was sending him to Egypt.  How important it is to maintain a view God remains in control, even when life is out of our control. God sent Joseph to Egypt in chains to save His people, including the very men who hated Joseph.  We read in Psalm 105:17-20 of God's grace and wisdom:  " He sent a man before them-- Joseph--who was sold as a slave. 18  They hurt his feet with fetters, h e was laid in irons. 19  Until the time that his word came to pass, t he word of the LORD tested him. 20  The king sent and released him, t he ruler of the peo...

It's common advice we should "take the high road" in conflicts.  No matter what people do or say to us, it is best for us to choose the path of righteousness.  The life of Jesus provides an example.  When Jesus was hungry, Satan tempted Him to turn stones into bread.  Jesus answered with the unbreakable Word of God in  Matthew 4:4:   " It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"   Then Satan was especially crafty.  His next temptation was backed with the word of God!   Matthew 4:5-6 says, " Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6  and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you,' and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.'"   How treacherous and evil, to use scripture to pressure Jesu...

" He who builds His layers in the sky, a nd has founded His strata in the earth; Who calls for the waters of the sea,  a nd pours them out on the face of the earth--  t he LORD is His name ." Amos 9:6 I love how God speaks about the order of the world He has created.  I only recently learned about the layers of atmosphere scientists have discovered, and God founded these layers even as He " founded His strata in the earth ."  There is the Troposphere, where "weather" happens; the Stratosphere where the ozone layer is; the Mesophere which burns meteors which could impact the earth; the Thermosphere where satellites are launched; the Ionosphere which is crucial for "Sun-Earth interactions;" and the Exosphere which is the upper limit of Earth's atmosphere.  I look to the heavens and I do not see any of these layers, know how they function, or how they protect us.  But God designed and founded them according to His wisdom, and the...

" Then Moses said, "Thus says the LORD : 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt; 5  and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals ." Exodus 11:4-5 After unleashing 9 plagues on the gods and people of Egypt, God promised to send a final plague:  the death of the firstborn of all people and animals.  Unlike previous plagues which were restricted to the Egyptians, this plague would affect Pharaoh, his servants, and even the Hebrews in Goshen.  Though this grievous plague would affect all Egypt, God provided a way for households to be delivered from it if they would meet God's conditions.  Not one person or animal had to die.  If people would sprinkle the blood of the paschal lamb on the doorposts and lintel of their homes, having eaten the lamb in the manner prescr...

" I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; t hey shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the LORD , do not keep silent, 7 and give Him no rest till He establishes a nd till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth ." Isaiah 62:6-7 These verses remind me of the great love God has for the Jewish nation and Jerusalem.  Watchmen were set on the walls to provide early recognision of enemy attack, but God's people were called to look to Him.  Unless the LORD guards the city the watchmen watch in vain.  God allowed Jerusalem to fall before the Babylonians and Romans, yet even now those who fear God ought to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  God directed His faithful watchers to intercede on behalf of Jerusalem, to " give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth ."  It is amazing our great God who promises to provide rest for our souls says concerning our prayers for the establishmen...

Yesterday I saw a heartwarming video of a man whose co-workers pooled funds to buy him a car.  He was genuinely touched by the blessing and expressed how grateful and thankful he was.  The one who shared the post on social media praised the virtue of "random acts of kindness" and how they can be instrumental in changing lives for the better.  I believe I know what is meant by the phrase "random acts of kindness," that without a special occasion people would unexpectedly do something to benefit someone else without strings attached. When I reflected upon the gracious gift of a vehicle, there was nothing at all "random" about this act of kindness at all!  Generous co-workers saw someone in need and purposely put thought and sacrifice into action to help him.  They considered what car would be best suited for his needs.  They even bought insurance to make sure he was not out of pocket.  He even was given money for petrol!  Everything about this ac...

Before going to bed recently I have been reading through the Psalms.  I always try to take note of the brief explanation provided before each Psalm.  It struck me how many Psalms were inspired during troubling times.  In situations when might write in a journal to vent, post our status on social media for sympathy, or call the police to respond to an emergency, David wrote songs of praise to God.  Selah - think upon this!  These passages flow with worship, seeking God, and praise.  Though troubles may have moved David to write, he did not remain troubled because of His glorious God. Psalm 3 was written " when David fled from Absalom his son ."  He concluded in  Psalm 3:8 , " Salvation belongs to the LORD . Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah" Psalm 7 was what David sang unto to the LORD "concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite" - and they were not kind words.  The last verse of this Psalm?   Psalm 7:17 reads, " I will ...

God called and enabled Moses to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt.  After Moses returned to Egypt armed with three miraculous signs which confirmed God's promise of deliverance, the people believed and worshipped the LORD.  They were convinced of God's power and rejoiced He had visited His people.  Any day now they would be free! The Hebrews were all for freedom from bondage.  There was one looming problem however:  Pharaoh was not.  He was not at all impressed when Moses appeared before him and scorned his God.  He was incensed anyone would even suggest the idea of the Hebrews leaving their tasks for a day!  He accused the people of idleness, refused to provide straw for bricks, and told the taskmasters to kept the production quota the same.  The people worked feverishly, trying to gather up stubble and make enough bricks to meet Pharaoh's demand.  When they failed, they were beaten.  They felt cheated, trapped in an impos...