Trust

Trust.

Noah did everything God said. He built the ark and filled it as instructed. Once inside, God closed the door so nobody else could get in.

Pestilence sweeps across the world, heedless of borders. Borders which are being closed, one after another, leaving refugees without help or hope on the other side. Trapped, with no way in or out.

Across many nations, we have been instructed to self-isolate, so we have gathered our loved ones inside our homes, as instructed by government. Some have pulled up their drawbridges, refusing entry to all those caught outside as the rains come down and the waters rise. Focused on maintaining physical health at all costs, mental and spiritual health are imperilled. We are social beings. We were made to be community, and that means we sometimes take risks to bring others into safety.

Common sense designed the policy. It’s a good one. But God has not closed the door to our homes as he did to the ark. When there are people in need who have no safe haven, he calls us to reach out a hand and bring them in. It is so encouraging during these days to see and read of so many examples of people doing just that.

In these days of turmoil and uncertainty, fear is fed as we hole up and just look after ourselves. Jesus calls us to trust him. To walk on the waters which may roil and rage, our focus on him. To minister to those out in the storm, and to bring them in to the peace which is Jesus.

May we all stay safe as we self-isolate, but also be alert and responsive to the cries for help that reach our ears. Don’t let your hearts be troubled and don’t be afraid, Jesus says. Why? Because he has overcome the world.

Heavy clouds

Heavy clouds have sunk onto the hills round about us, resting their heavy flanks on the brows of the hills and roiling their dampness into every dip and glen. There is no horizon outside today, just an expanse of grey stretching as far as I can see.

I have to confess that having heard today’s news on the radio a few times, I feel as if heavy clouds have sunk onto my brain, soaking every synapse in the damp pervasiveness of evil in our time. The body of a three year old child who has been missing for a few days has been found, and his mother is being questioned. Reports from Afghanistan indicate that violence against women there is on the rise as western forces withdraw and gender repression is powerful and resurgent. The world’s newest nation, South Sudan, is on the verge of collapse and genocide is a real possibility. I read details of a 46 year old marriage which ended in divorce last year as the husband started a relationship with the wife’s friend. And so on.

Meeting the heavy clouds is the damp stench of the swamp we seem to be mired in.

I’m listening to an inspiring Hillsong composition called God is Able, as I write this. He will never fail. He is Almighty God. I am reminding myself of that. 

The heavy clouds of evil and oppression may blank out any vision of the sun. If I were trying to explain what the sun is today to an alien who just emerged from underground, he would find it incomprehensible. 

But that doesn’t make it any the less real. I know that the sun is there, on the other side of these damp grey clouds, and that it will shine again. 

I know that God is always good, that the Son is there, on my side and yours, and that he has overcome evil at the cross. ‘My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’ One day he will sweep in and mop up the final flings of the enemy and then...peace will reign forever. God is for us; he has open arms; he will never fail us. Christ alone. My cornerstone.

Remember that today when you hear the news, when you see the injustice and oppression, when your heart aches with anguish for those who suffer. God’s heart aches too, and not only has he given his answer to it all in Jesus, he also is expecting us to do what we can, in our own wee corner, to make a difference today.

Even though it seems like explaining what the sun is to an underground alien who can’t see it, offer someone who is at the point of despair today the certain hope that Jesus is for us, and he has overcome evil.

And raise your voice in protest; your heart in prayer; your eyes to the heavens, expectantly.