Reflections

 The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. Neh.  1:3.

What a question!  On one hand, we would say YES, as we contemplate churches without pastors and churches closing their doors!  It is heart-breaking!   Faithfulness is almost a forgotten description in the lives of many.  We consider Nehemiah 1 and the condition of God’s city.  Nehemiah was so moved.  I attempt to compare that to our days and times and our church.  We know that we don’t have the power to give someone a new heart; a zeal for Christ, though we wish we could!    However, what I see from Nehemiah is his burden and his prayer.  He proved his burden by his prayer and fasting.   God doesn’t call upon us to build His church;  He said He would do that in Matthew 16.  I do believe, however, He calls us to have a burden; to have a heart for His work.  So, the question, “Do I have a sincere heart for the Lord’s Church here?”   “Do you have a sincere heart for the Lord’s church here?”  How much do we pray?  How much have we wept and sought God?  We truly know the results are in His hand, but let us make sure we are doing our part.  Nehemiah could have reacted fatalistically and shrugged His shoulders, but He did what He could do.  May we follow His example,  Get involved, be faithful and pray, and DO ALL WE CAN DO, trusting our God does the results.

“… we spend our years as a tale that is told.” Psalms 90:9   “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalms 90:12 

Using human expression we would say, “Isn’t that the truth!”  Most of us reading this can certainly agree, because we are experiencing the very truth of what is stated above.  Younger people often feel that they have the world by the tail.  All is well, and they will never get old and feeble.  This amazing truth is here for us, I believe, that we might keep our eyes on heaven, and on eternal things!  Perhaps one of the greatest challenges as we do our pilgrimage here in earth is to remember we are just that:  Pilgrims.  We are not home yet, so let us not get so enamored with the things down here that we forget our heavenly home.  In our heads, we know the verses like, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness .  . .” .  We would nod in agreement.   We know that we are pilgrims etc., but how easily we seem to misplace our priorities.   So, may the Lord help us to be heavenly minded, while we make our journey down here.  Truly, nothing down here can satisfy.  Our real reason and purpose is to seek God, to live for Him and to be faithful to HIm.  Let us resolve to be more faithful to our Lord and Savior in the days ahead.  

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”  James 1:2,3

One of those most “astonishing” admonitions from the Bible!   “Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations”. Unfortunately, we often read without really stopping to think about what we are reading and we move along quickly to the next words,  But, have you stopped to consider, be joyful when you go through trials, conflicts, and problems?    The first human reaction might be, “Are you crazy?”  How could we count such as experience as joyful?  First, let us understand “joy”.  This does not mean we are laughing or jumping up and down cheering, thought it may!   One might be shedding tears but  have joy in  his heart.  Joy may or may not be manifest by other outward emotions, but I think it is an inward feeling of peace and thankfulness.  How can we experience that when we are in trials?  By knowing that we have a God who loves us; who want the best for us; and orders our circumstances to bring out this best which results in glory to Him and good for us.   Knowing these things, we can experience joy.  WE are also aware that our trial isn’t permanent.  God will bring deliverance or healing at his determined time. And remember, who is in control.  IT is God.  We can cry, kick, and complain, but those  do not change the situation at all.  Or, we can go to God in prayer and rest fully on Him and on His Word, and find peace to ride out the storm.   Being able to rest in God amid the conflict is a great virtue and a great manifestation of our faith.