Saturday, December 24, 2022

Pastor's Ponderings, December 24, 2022

Let Us Rejoice In Him Anyway

 

The first two lines from the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling reads, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you…”. We live in a world where time honored traditions are being upended, common sense seems irrelevant, and we seem to be in a Hobbesian world involving unrestrained, selfish, and uncivilized competition among participants.  

 

Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, is threatening to use nuclear weapons.  Our newspapers broadcast more and more bad news. Although our world is challenged with uncivilized behavior, our God is still with us. He promised even though water, flooding, and fire are in our lives, He will be with us (Isaiah 43:2).  Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, He will be with us (Psalm 23:4).  Despite the worldly challenges, God said that He would accompany us from the front and will go behind us (Isaiah 52:12).  

 

It would be easy to simply give up, hunker down and wait until destruction is at our doorsteps or we can go to God, receive our marching orders, and walk in His authority and power.  Today and every day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him (Psalm 118:24).

 

Isaiah 43:2

New International Version

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

 

Psalm 23:4

New International Version

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me

 

Isaiah 52:12

New International Version

12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

 

Psalm 118:24

New International Version

24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

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