Marching Forth!

Suicide is a blight upon the world, and the awful impact has touched virtually everyone.  Today I read an article  on the 9 News website about a young man of 24 who committed suicide because " He felt there was no way out ."  The article went on to highlight the connection between tradesman and higher than average rates of suicide - and increased alcohol and drug use.  For those who are battling depression, alcohol and drugs make the downward spiral much worse.  The article said the stress the young man faced "was just too much," and suicide was his solution. What do you do when life is too much?  From a biblical viewpoint, suicide is never a good option.  But the world has romanticised suicide to a degree, and this perspective is held for in the classic cowbell rock tune by the Blue Oyster Cult, "(Don't Fear) The Reaper."  This is a song millions have heard and sing along, but beyond the cowbell and catchy riffs the lyrics could have a siniste...

My wife Laura shared an observation with me yesterday I thought was profound.  She related how common it is when we hear someone is going through a hard time to instinctively pray for the trial to be over immediately and miraculously, for healing, for an easy escape from the difficulty - not considering the circumstances could be divinely ordained to accomplish God's purpose we do not comprehend.  I have found this to be true in my own experience.  It is easy for compassion to regress to mere human pity and we pray for a swift and preferably painless conclusion.  We can pray according to the direction of men rather than seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Should God employ hard times to work wonders in the lives of people, should we pray against that? After turning these thoughts over in my mind, my evening Bible reading echoed what Laura had said.  Written by Asaph, Psalm 83 addressed God concerning those who opposed Him and His people as enemies....

Being born again through faith in Jesus Christ brings about a new perspective and identity.  We discover the reality of who Jesus is and many blessings afforded us by revelation in the Bible.  God's Word says it like it is, whether we feel like it or not.  We learn how God created us, loves us, and made a way for salvation through Jesus.  The Bible speaks of God's faithfulness and all He has accomplished, and in addition provides commands and directives which by His grace we can obey. A familiar example is presented in Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus.   Ephesians 6:10-13 reads, " Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11  Put on the whole armour  of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wicked...

The band U2 had a popular song in my high school days which repeated, " But I still haven't found what I'm looking for ."  After climbing mountains, scaling walls, speaking the tongues of angels, and holding the hand of the devil, the desire for satisfaction remained insatiable.  There was still something Bono was looking for but not able to find.  Perhaps he didn't know exactly what he was looking for!  God made a promise to His people who sought Him in  Deuteronomy 4:29 after they turned to the LORD wherever they had been scattered:  " But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul ."  Again God promised in  Jeremiah 29:12-13 , " Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart ." A lot of times the things we are seeking are not God and likely ...