Hope

This is a gloomy time of year. The days are shorter, there is a chill in the air and COVID-19 still hangs in the air. There is hope in the air, carried by the news of a vaccine as a new year approaches.

Hope is the theme of the First Sunday of Advent. The prophet Isaiah told his divided nation, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Israel to the north would be crushed by the Assyrians; the people were scattered. To the South, Judah would be carried away to Babylon; their Temple destroyed but Isaiah told them of the promised Messiah, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

America has faced gloomy times before. Each time we bounced back stronger than before. The Civil War killed more soldiers than WWI and WWII combined. In the aftermath, slavery was abolished and the reunited nation became the world's strongest economy. We emerged from the Great Depression and WWII as a global economic and political leader.

By the grace of God we have survived pandemics, terrorist attacks, riots, economic downturns and more but the ups and downs of America are but a flash in the pan in the history of God's work with humanity. God is in control and is moving towards an end where he will be glorified.

My hope this First Sunday of Advent echoes the words of Paul: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

God Always Wins

Michael slays the dragon. Raphael

Judges 2:20-22

God uses our enemies to accomplish His will. In Judges we learn that God would use the nations around Israel to test them. Whenever Israel fell into sin, God allowed an enemy to chastise them. When they cried out to God, they were delivered by a champion. One of those champions, Samson, was self-centered and cavorted with the women of Israel's oppressors. Yet, God used him to accomplish His will, despite Samson's lack of cooperation.

The Jews' exile to Babylon was a sad event for Israel but it put Jewish houses of worship in places where the gospel would one day be preached. The Roman empire provided safe roads and a common language (Greek) to help spread the gospel. The expulsion of the Christians from Jerusalem increased the speed at which the gospel spread.

Not all things are good but the Bible assures us that “all things work together for good for those that love God.” (Romans 8:28)

In every church you will find destructive people who have an agenda driven by something other than the gospel. These are the weeds that Jesus said the enemy sows among the wheat (Matthew 13:24-30), the goats that will one day be separated from the sheep (Matthew 25:31-46). In his book, “Well-Intentioned Dragons” Marshall Shelley writes:

“Within the church, they are often sincere, well-meaning saints, but they leave ulcers, strained relationships, and hard feelings in their wake. They don’t consider themselves difficult people. They don’t sit up nights thinking of ways to be nasty. Often they are pillars of the community – talented, strong personalities, deservingly respected – but for some reason, they undermine the ministry of the church. They are not naturally rebellious or pathological; they are loyal church members, convinced they’re serving God, but they wind up doing more harm than good.”

People wonder why bad things happen to good people and why good things happen to bad people. There is no answer to this except that God allows things to happen to accomplish his perfect will.

After Job had lost everything in a test of this faith, he declared:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 1:21

Sunday's Coming

Mark 14:53-65

God will walk with us in our time of trial and make us more like Jesus.

Jesus was arrested while praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The religious establishment sent an armed guard, led by Judas, at night and took him into custody. (Mark 14:43)

Jesus was betrayed by his friends. Not just Judas but by the rest of the disciples as well. Peter, James and John could not stay awake and pray with him. (Mark 14:37) They had promised to endure to the end but now they run in panic. (Mark 14:50)

Jesus was betrayed by society. The religious establishment was supposed to be on the lookout for messiah but did not recognize him when he came. Roman law was supposed to protect Jesus from corrupt local politicians but political expediency led Pilate to condemn a man he declared to be innocent. The crowd that once shouted Hosanna now shouted “Crucify him!”

Jesus was alone, abandoned and surrounded by his enemies but God promises to be with us even as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:4) Jesus was arrested, tried and convicted. He was tortured to death and buried. But that was Friday and Sunday was coming. What Satan meant for evil God used to bring our Salvation and on the 3^rd day Jesus rose from the grave.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused and imprisoned. (Genesis 37:26-27) That was his Friday but Sunday was coming. He rose to be 2^nd in command of Egypt. (Genesis 41:40) What his brothers meant for evil God used to save Israel.

Are you going through a valley? Are you experiencing a Friday? Well, Sunday's coming!

What others may see as evil, God can use for good. Every tear, every pain, every sorrow can be used to help you become more like Jesus. He will give you Gold for your Ashes.

Weeping may endure for a night

but joy comes in the morning.

Psalm 30:5