OH, LORD, HOW LONG

MUST WE WAIT!

As I look around my city, my nation and my world, I see violence everywhere.  It seems that nothing is right in the world anymore.  We see the economy failing and people losing everything.  And people, even God’s people, are losing hope.  They are longing for peace and there is no peace.  Their hearts are troubled and in despair.   People are asking God, “Why don’t you do something?”

Then we can go to God’s Word and find hope and encouragement to go on.  For we find there that our God is still in control, and He is not unmindful of the hurts and despair that you and I have to go through here.  And it is only in God’s Word and through salvation in Jesus Christ that mankind has any hope at all.  And God’s people have a wonderful hope for the future.  We know the end, as we have read the end of the Book.  Praise the Lord!  Sometimes, even though we know that, it is still hard to see through our tears and sorrow, and through the storms that come into our lives.

So as we look to God’s Word, we go to the Old Testament and we find the Prophet Habakkuk crying out against the evils of his day, and like many of us today, he was wandering why God was not doing anything about the present situation in his world.

The people of Judah were in deep sin, worshipping idols and had forsaken the God who had loved them and brought them up out of Egypt and provided for them.  And he wondered why God was not punishing them for their sin.  He asked why a just God would allow such sin.  But we see that God was going to punish Judah by allowing the Babylonians to come in and destroy them and take them captive.  But when Habakkuk cried out to God, God promised hope.

“This is the message that the prophet Habakkuk received from the LORD in a vision.  How long, O LORD, must I call for help?  But you do not listen!  “Violence!”  I cry, but you do not come to save.  Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me?  Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence.  I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.  The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in the courts.  The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery” Habakkuk 1:1-4. (NLT)

Habakkuk was saddened by the violence and evil he saw all around him, and he poured out His heart to God.  And today evil and injustice are also rampant, but we must not let our concern cause us to doubt God and His purposes. When we see the message that God gave Habakkuk, we will realize that God has long-range plans and purposes, and God is on the Throne and in control even when we do not understand why He works as he does.

But look at God’s answer:  “Look among the nations and watch – be utterly astounded!  For I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you” (vs.5).

God told the prophet to watch and see the amazing things He was going to do.  But again, He is in control and He will judge evil doers in His time.  He is doing mighty things in our world today.  The Holy Spirit is moving and countless numbers are coming to accept Jesus as their Savior.  We think things should be going our way but remember that God is not willing that any should perish. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance”  II Peter 3:9.

At the beginning of chapter 2, Habakkuk says he will set himself to watch and see what God will do. (vs. 2:1).

 Listen to God’s answer:  “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (vs. 3)

God’s answer to Habakkuk is the same answer He would give us today.  He tells us to just be patient!  It helps us to remember that God hates sin even more than we do.  God’s punishing of sin will surely come.  As He told the prophet, “Wait for it.”  To trust God totally means to trust Him even when we don’t understand why certain events happen as they do.

“Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith” (vs. 4).

This verse has inspired countless Christians down through the ages.  Paul quotes it in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11.  The write of Hebrews quotes it in 10:38 and just before that marvelous chapter 11 on faith.  And it reminds all of God’s people who must live through hard times, without seeing any signs of hope.  We must simply trust in God, put our total faith in Him, that He is working out all things according to His purposes.

And then in chapter 3, after we read the wonderful prayer of Habakkuk, and he praises God for answering his questions.  And we can read this wonderful  hymn of praise to the LORD his God, describing God’s glory and His majesty.  I would advise you to read this wonderful prayer in thanks to God for His mercy and His mighty power.

Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls – yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.  The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills. (vs. 17-19).

Though we may lose everything we hold dear to our hearts, the prophet is saying that God will give His people surefooted confidences through these difficult times.  We can run like deer across rough and dangerous places.  And at the right time, God’s time, He will bring about His justice and completely ride the world of evil.  In the meantime, we, God’s people, are encouraged to live in the strength of His Holy Spirit, and to keep our eyes on Jesus, as we look for our “blessed hope,” and in the day when there will be peace and joy forever.  Praise His Holy Name!

In Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Sharon

My Dear Friends,

We are off on another journey, a journey to celebrate our Golden Anniversary, 50 years!  God has truly blessed Art and I.  We love the Lord and have served him from the beginning.  The Lord has given us 3 lovely daughters and 5 grandchildren.  But I ask, "Where have the years gone?"

I will be looking around me as I travel, and asking the Lord what He wants me to share with you when we return.  I will be back with you on Tuesday, the 26th of October.

God bless you, keep your eyes on Jesus, no matter what the storm may be in your life.  Isn't it wonderful to know He walks in the storm with us, and then calms the storms? 

We serve a Wonderful Lord and Savior. 

"The LORD Bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His

countenance upon you

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

In His Name,

Pastor Sharon





LORD, TEACH ME TO BE STILL

AND KNOW YOU

 We live in a world that is moving faster and faster.  It is a busy world, and many of us just don’t take the time to rest.  Our lives our full of stress, and we are so tired.  God is calling us to just slow down, to stop, to relax and to remember that He is God and He is in control of this world, and whatever happens, He is reminding us to stop from our busyness and to be still.

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10.

In the whole context of this chapter, the Psalmist reminds us that even though the mountains may crumble around us, the earth may shake or the waters roar, He is with us and He is our refuge (v. 7).  And we are reminded to not be fearful when these things come upon the earth.

We are called to just relax our hands and just be at peace.  And then in verse 10, He promises that He will be exalted among the nations and someday He will be exalted over the whole earth and we are all looking forward to that day when our Lord will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.  What a day that will be!

All through God’s Word we are reminded of this stillness and quietness.  Even our Lord withdrew from the multitudes to seek quietness with His Father.  In Luke 5:15-16 we see Him surrounded by crowds thronging around Him and He withdrew to spend time in prayer.  Sometimes He would get up before dawn or other times He would withdraw to the wilderness to have some solitude and quietness.

“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.  My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” Isaiah 32:17-18.

Righteousness brings peace and quietness and confidence forever in our souls.  We can live in confidence and safety wherever we dwell, and we can be at rest with our Lord.  Now, isn’t that a wonderful promise?

“The LORD your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save.  He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17.

God is in the midst of His people with His wonderful presence, and here He is called the “Mighty One.”  He is our Savior and Redeemer.  And when we are stressed by the pressures of this life, the struggles we all go through, He is the one who will quiet us with His love.  And then, He actually rejoices over each of us with singing!  Praise the Lord!

In this stressful world that we all live in, He is calling us to come and rest and learn of Him.  There can be storms all around us and maybe you feel like your world is caving in upon you.  He wants each one of us to know Him and to find shelter under His wings while the earth quakes around us.

Take some times now to just sit and be still before the Lord.  Give to Him those things that are heavy on your heart today.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Matthew 11:28-29.

A yoke is a heavy wooden harness that fits over the shoulders of an ox or oxen.  It is attached to a piece of equipment the oxen are to pull.  You may be carrying burdens of sin, grief, depression, fear and anger, and you may just be weary in body from all the stress of this life.  Our precious Jesus frees us from these burdens.  The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, peace, quietness, and joy in this troubled world.

So rest today in His arms, learn to be still in those quiet times with Him.  Spend much time reading His Word and in prayer.  Make a special time every day just to be with Him and you will discover the peace and joy of everyday as you start your day with Him.  You will discover how different your day will be when you start it with Him, just a quiet time in the Word and in prayer.  You will be amazed at what your Lord will accomplish in your life.

Blessings to you,

Pastor Sharon

WHEN I AM IN THE VALLEYS,

THERE I WILL GROW

It seems that lately I have been in the valley in this journey toward my heavenly home.  Oh, I love the mountain tops where the sun brightly shines, and where I have such sweet times with my Lord.  I am sure you have had those glorious mountain top experiences with the Lord also.

I remember as a child and on into my teen years going to church camp.  Do you remember such experiences?  We sang and worshipped the Lord, there was laughter and joy, and our counselors ministered to us, as we knelt to pray.  Many accepted Jesus there on the mountain top, and went home with glorious testimonies.  I remember those times around the campfire, dedicating our lives anew to the Lord, and oh, the glory of His Presence.

But then it was time to descend that mountain and go back down into the valley.  And for many, it was back to a life of abuse, loneliness and tears.  Some years back, I was a counselor in a youth camp situation, where the girls were brought up from foster homes and homes where there was alcohol abuse and other situations.  These little girls would literally cling to me when the cars came to take them back down the mountain, “please don’t make us go back” they could cry, and I would cry with them, knowing of the “valley” they would have to go back to.  They had had a wonderful time those few days, they were loved unconditionally, and told all about the God who loved them, and Jesus who died on the cross for them.  And we led many of these girls to Jesus, but they had to go back down off the mountain top and back into the “valley.”  But now, they knew a God who loved them, and would help them in any circumstance they would have to endure.

If I had stayed on that mountain top at camp, or those little girls had stayed there, we would never have appreciated the love of God through the trials we all must go through.  Many things have happened this week, and it certainly has been a “valley” time.  But I also have had some glimpses of His glory in my time with Him.  So many I know right now are in that “valley” of sorry and pain.  There are those who are grieving the sudden loss of a mate after so many years together.  Others are facing illness in their families and loved ones with cancer, and the future does not look well for some.  Some of us are having times of pain during the nights, when sleep does not come.  But I know, my Lord will see us through this time.

“Therefore we do not lose heart.  Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.  For the things are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” II Corinthians 4:16-18.

The Apostle Paul had wonderful mountain top experiences, but so much of his life was down in the “valleys” of persecution and suffering.  He wrote most of his epistles from jail, and he could still admonish his readers to “rejoice.”

He says even in this “valley” experiences we do not lose our hope.  Yes, this outward man is perishing, we will experience pain and suffering, grief and loss.  This “old” body is destined for eternity, and these afflictions, which on the other side of eternity, will seem but for a moment.  And think of the glory ahead of each one of us who love Jesus!  These trials we go through down here are just temporary, we can see those things,  but think of the eternal joy and peace that awaits each of His children!

We are reminded again of the cross, and the suffering of our Lord, and the pain and suffering he went through for us.  And the trials we experience, our little “valleys” of suffering cannot compare to the horror of the cross of Calvary, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.  He looked past the cross, even in His suffering, and saw you and me, and looked forward to the joy that salvation would bring.  Praise the Lord!

I don’t understand why some things happen as they do.  I don’t understand how a loved one could “beat” cancer, and then suddenly it is back, spreading to other parts of his body.  I don’t understand why some are healed and some are not, and the Lord takes them home, despite all our pleading and tears.  But I know my God is still in control, He is still the Almighty King of kings and Lord of lords and someday we will understand.  It seems that some people are in the “valley” a long time, and they never seem to be able to ascend the mountain heights of victory.

Someday the “valley” experiences will be over, and we will ascend His “Mountain of Joy” forever!  It will be a place of eternal joy.  I am looking forward to that day, ever looking toward my heavenly home.

 “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” Hebrews 12:22-24.

So if you are in the “valley” today, keep looking up toward the mountain top of joy.  And remember, as the poem says, “Forgive me Lord for complaining when I am feeling low.  Just give me a reminder that it’s in the valleys I grow.”  (Jane Eggleston)

In Christ,

Pastor Sharon