The COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us with a great deal of uncertainty: uncertainty about how contagious the virus is and about the best way to treat it; uncertainty about how long our personal immunity will last after we get infected and whether a vaccine will ever be developed; uncertainty about the future of the economy and whether jobs will still be there for the millions of the newly unemployed; uncertainty about how long the public quarantines should continue; uncertainty about what will happen to ourselves, businesses, our families and our friends.
In the midst of so much uncertainty, we naturally look for something firm to hold onto.
Maybe we can take a cue from financial institutions. When uncertainty becomes too high, and lenders realize a potential borrower is at high risk of default, these institutions can sometimes turn to a higher authority, like the federal government, to “guarantee” a loan, as in the case of guaranteed student loans. Such loans offer a safety net and take away most risks for the lender.
What kind of higher authority should we be turning to in order to guarantee our future when we face so many uncertainties in life?
1. One lesson of the pandemic is not to place our hope in undeserving sources. Though scientists may promise new treatments, and politicians may promise safety through contact-tracing and lockdowns, these measures are merely stopgaps in the face of our larger human questions. Many centuries ago, King David mused about the false promise of earthly reassurances. Writing in Psalm 119, he declared, “Some trust in chariots or horses, but we in the name of the Lord. They will collapse and fall, but we shall hold and stand firm.” The answer to the uncertainties surrounding our human condition lies, precisely as David noted in God. He alone knows and understands every historical event, from pandemics such as COVID-19 to civil disturbances to economic collapses.
2. It’s also important for us to distinguish between true and false saviours. While a vaccine may limit the immediate threat from the coronavirus for us individually, death will still have its day and eventually lay its claim upon us. As natural as it may be for us to reach out for a vaccine to calm our fears and concerns and restore predictability to our future, only God opens a real path for us beyond fear and beyond death. Our lives are on loan, and only he can guarantee the fulfilment of that loan in a destiny that lies beyond this troubled world. He has.
We have an important opportunity to ponder these deeper lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic as it ravishes our world. Rather than placing our hopes in the limited promises of this world, the pandemic reminds us of our vulnerability and our need for a true Saviour , Jesus, very moment of our lives.
Racism is a very topical issue at this time: in society, churches, and even homes. In this month’s blog, I examine not only whether racism is sin but the unpardonable sin – sin against the Holy Spirit – matter of great import to Christians preparing for Christ’s second coming.
Although I grew up in racially fractured country, as a young Christian girl, I didn’t believe that God was interested in stuff like racism, and that I could speak up against it in my church, school, and society as a whole. Attending churches with large portraits of a ‘white’ Jesus on prominent display, preachers rarely addressed racial issues in general nor racialized violence in particular, although we had our fair share of it. Topics like racism, social injustice and anything viewed as being outside of the salvation story was labelled “politics”, and therefore, a ‘no-no’ for the pulpit.
As I continue my Christian journey, I’ve realized over time that my childhood view that God maybe was indifferent to racism and racial violence was far from the truth revealed in His word. We are told that in Christ’s body, there are no national or ethnic boundaries. The church, the body of Christ, is a place where “there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male or female, and where “all are one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). I believe this ‘oneness’ refers to the unity Christ prayed for in John 17: 20-23, a unity that can only come about through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
What is racism?
Racism is a complicated and misunderstood societal problem that we can’t ignore or run away from. It can be defined as the marginalization or oppression of an inferior and subordinate people group by a superior and dominant people group based on a socially constructed hierarchical system that views the visual racial and ethnic characteristics of the dominant and superior people group as better than that of the inferior or subordinate people group, and allows for partiality or bias by the superior group toward the inferior group on these bases.
The ideology of racism has worldwide reach: prejudice by whites on non -whites (black, coloured, and native peoples); and yellow peoples (Indians) on blacks and indigenous peoples, and even higher caste Indians over lower caste Indians.
Racism in the Bible
The Bible clearly condemns all forms of racism and views every person as equally valuable in God’s eyes based on the following scriptural principles:
One: All humans were created by God. God “created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (v. 27). Every person is created intentionally by God in his own divine image, making us equally valuable in God’s sight. Racism denies the very source of humanity, the image of God in man; destroying God’s likeness in every person and separating us from God and other human beings.
Two: Every person is equally valuable to God. At a time when many Jews considered Greeks to be unclean and inferior, and Christian Jews were trying to force Gentile believers to also perform Jewish rituals, the Apostle Paul addressed racism head on. He stated that “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile …” We are all one in God’s sight. In other words, other people don’t determine our value as humans; God does. Racism assumes that human beings are not equal before God and therefore not all a part of God’s family. As such, there is no place for racism among believers.
Three Salvation is available to all through Christ: God loves all sinners and wants all to come to faith in His Son. He “shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). We are also told to go and “make disciples of all nations” (Mathew 28:19) – “nations” translated ethnos (meaning people groups) from which we get the word “ethnicity”. Racism is contrary to biblical teaching, especially the teaching about salvation., and the role of humans in this plan of God. God’s plan
Four: We must love everyone. God’s word is clear: You are to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Further, “If you show partiality [favouritism], you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). Peter testified to the Gentiles who sought to hear the gospel that God “… has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean” (Acts 10:28). Racism is a blatant denial of Christian faith, and the opposite of love – which is hatred.
Is racism sin?
To answer this question, we need to first define sin.
Situational Evil: The classic definition of sin is that “it is the transgression of the law.” Adam and Eve purposely disobeyed God’s command and their sin plunged the human race into a fallen, sinful state. Their sin resulted in situational evil – the suffering, death, and hardship that are a result of living in a sinful world.
Lawlessness: Sin is also defined as lawlessness. 1 John 3: 4 says: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” The list of sins in Revelation 21:8, lumps together all those who engage in lawlessness (murderers and liars) as unfit for the kingdom of heaven.
Moral evil: The Apostle James says we sin when we don’t do the right thing. James 4:7 says “Therefore, to him who knows to do good [right] and does not do it, to him it is sin.” This could be called moral evil, the evil that people believe and do.
If we use these Biblical definitions, we sin when we engage in racist behaviours or actions because we know or should know that such behaviours are not right in the sight of God, our Heavenly Father. Racism or hatred for someone is sin because it separates us from God. Jesus reinforces this idea in Mathew 5: 22 when He said this: ”But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
But there is another side to sin. While it is true that any sin is an abomination to a perfect God, meriting eternal death and requiring the blood of Christ for repentance and restoration, all sins are not equal on earth. This may be because each sin carries different consequences for the perpetrator from those affected by the sin. Murder, for example, causes more immediate physical pain than lying. I would also argue that racism leads to physical pain and death. Just consider the centuries of unjust treatment, (whipping and lynching), enslaved people suffered at the hands of their owners.
Solomon, in the book of Proverbs identifies seven sins that are an abomination to God – deeply hated by our Heavenly Father: “a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6: 16-19). Not only does racism fit into this list but it’s born out of several of these sins, and chief among them is the division that it causes in the body of Christ.
Racism and the Unpardonable Sin
I want to say at the outset that whatever the sin, if a soul repents and believes, their guilt is washed away in the blood of Christ. However, when someone rejects the work of the Holy Spirit, s/he is placing himself/herself where repentance and faith cannot reach them. This is known as the unpardonable sin, the sin that God cannot forgive.
We are introduced to this concept in Matthew 12. In verses 22-32, we find Jesus casting out a demon by the Spirit of God, and the Pharisees claiming He did it by the power of the devil. He Jesus, then informs them that they can speak against the Son of man and be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. According to this passage, the unpardonable sin and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit did not happen when the Pharisees insulted the Son of Man but when the work of the Holy Spirit by whose power the demon was cast out was attributed to Satan.
What does this have to do with racism?
It is by the Holy Spirt that God works upon the sinner’s heart; when men wilfully reject the Spirit, and declare His power to be from Satan, they cut off the channel by which God can communicate with them. Unless we become vitally connected with God, through the Holy Spirit, we can never resist the unhallowed effects of self-love, self-indulgence, and temptation to sin.
We may leave off many bad habits, and for a time we may part company with Satan. But without a vital connection with God, through the surrender of ourselves to Him moment by moment, we shall be overcome. Without a personal acquaintance with Christ, and continual communion, we are at the mercy of the enemy, and shall do his bidding in the end.
It is clear that Jesus regards blasphemy against the Holy Spirit – permanently rejecting His identity and power as attested by the Holy Spirit’s transforming works as the worst of sins. So, if anyone permanently rejects Christ’s identity in his creation, whether black, white, brown, or yellow as confirmed by the Holy Spirit’s power to change their lives and make them worthy in the sight of God, that person is in danger of committing the worst sin.
Ellen White, one of my favourite writers, provides some more food for thought on the unpardonable sin. She writes: “The sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit does not lie in any sudden word or deed; it is the firm, determined resistance of truth and evidence.” — Manuscript 30, March 1890, par. 16.
Also, “The unpardonable sin is never a sin committed out of weakness, by mistake, or out of sheer ignorance” but “is a continued and wilful attitude of hostility against the Holy Spirit; the proud, continued resistance against His guidance, the “persistent refusal to respond to the invitation to repent.” “For if we persist in sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins remains (Hebrews 10:26).”
If over time, a person refuses to obey the entreaties of the Holy Spirit to surrender and abandon a racist ideology and to be transformed, the danger persists. The Spirt of God will not always strive with man. Unless, we are willing to work to love our neighbour as ourselves, to declare that racism, and any kind of hate is evil, we may be at risk. Remember, to deliberately refuse the grace of God, preferring to call good evil and evil good, is a sin that is irredeemable.
The good news—the Gospel—doesn’t just mean that we’re brought near to God. It also means we’re brought near to the people we once considered so different from ourselves. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). It is God who removes prejudice from the heart, and restores our relationships with people and groups we’ve mistreated. That’s called reconciliation.
God is a reconciling God and the Gospel is, at its core, a message of reconciliation. God brings peace where there was once strife, and kindness where there was once animosity. He’s done it in us and He can do it between us and our neighbours—whether black, white, Latino, native, indigenous, or otherwise.
In addition, if we belong to Jesus, we are part of His movement to bring more reconciliation between people and God. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:18 – 20, “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. As His representatives, we have the opportunity to share how the life-changing message of the Gospel creates a healthy relationship with God and healthy relationships between people, no matter who they are. Your job and my job, as we learn to follow Jesus step by step, includes reconciliation because the message of Jesus is that we all belong to God, together—no separation, no difference in status or worth.
Sunday, June 21, 2020 was Father’s Day. Like Mother’s Day, it provides an excellent opportunity for fathers to remember important principles, reflect on personal failures, refocus on what’s good and the right, and resolve to follow after righteousness.
In this blog, I focus on five my characteristics of my heavenly father that I also experienced with my earthly father. With my dad gone, I must continue to depend on God ‘fathering’ me. May all godly dads seek to emulate these qualities in their own families.
- Forgiveness
The parable of the prodigal son in Luke Chapter 15 gives us a picture of what the heart of our heavenly Father is like. A wayward son, who has squandered his father’s wealth, returns home, broken and with great sadness. A long way off, his father sees, runs to him, embraces and forgives him, and restores him to his position of ‘son-ship’ in the family. What a beautiful picture of what our God does for us! This reminds me of the many times I received my father’s forgiveness and compassion when I disobeyed or misbehaved. May all fathers demonstrate this picture of forgiveness within their families.
2. Loving
The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:25, that husbands should love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” This type of love is both self-sacrificing, generous, and selfless. One of the best things a father can do is to love his wife and to not be shy about letting his children know this through words and actions. This is a wonderful way to be a role model to your sons and daughters.
3. Discipline
In Hebrews Chapter 2, the Bible reminds us that God, our Heavenly Father always disciplines his children out of love. Earthly fathers must strive to do the same with their children. While Paul may not have had any biological children, he encouraged them not to provoke their children to anger but to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). While my dad did not always discipline aright, he certainly did not antagonize us to make us angry. Lord, please show dads how to correct and discipline their children with love.
- Provider
Although there are many verses in the Bible that point to God as our provider, one of the most popular ones is found in Philippians 4:19: which states, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” In the same way that God provides for our physical, spiritual and emotional needs, fathers should do the same for their families.
Regardless of limited means, my dad made sure we had what we needed to thrive – food, clothing, shelter, and love. Being a provider is not optional for “… If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” [infidel].
- Responsible
Fathers, especially must be responsible, accountable, and in authority. One area in which this must be evident is bearing responsibility for raising godly children. This must start with a dad’s personal commitment to God. Joshua, Moses’s successor as leader of Israel, clearly and boldly demonstrated this responsibility when he declared, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 25:15). It was quite strange to me that, while my dad made his own personal commitment to God in his seventies, he made sure that we knew and worshiped Him.
Fathers must not neglect their calling and responsibility to provide spiritual leadership in the home. Take time to lead your family in Bible reading and prayer. God, help them bear this responsibility faithfully and with commitment.
The Apostle John hailed the faith of his spiritual children when he said “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth” (3 John 4). May we look to our perfect heavenly Father to help fathers walk in the truth for the good of their families, and the glory of God.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has impacted just about every aspect of our lives: our goings and comings; our relationships, how we shop, worship, and even lay our loved ones to rest. It has wreaked havoc on the old taking many to a premature death. Amidst all of the horror it has caused, I’d like to highlight one bright spot – how people are taking time to consistently give thanks, and to express grateful to others for the big, and the small things.
From clanging stainless-steel pots at set times to honour medical staff, to making elaborate chalk art in parking lots for grocery store workers, to world leaders taking time out to hold daily briefings to update their citizens on the state of things. We have shown that we are social creatures who are linked by the bond of humanity. Truly, we are “made of one blood” (Acts 17:26, NKJV).
I don’t recall when I’ve ever gotten as many ‘thank-you’ messages. I open my email accounts and my business contacts – bank, grocery and clothing store, and various retail managers are thanking me for my business, and assuring me that we will get through this together. I’m amazed at how there is so much gratitude and kindness. By the way thanks to all of you for your kind words and support. It feels good and I’m getting used to it.
Every day, we’re seeing countless examples of homemade cookies, freshly picked flowers, and thoughtful notes delivered to grocery stores and hospitals across the country. I’ve also heard of First Responders parading through supermarket parking lots with lights and sirens wailing in appreciation for their colleagues; of random strangers making impromptu deliveries of food and snacks to doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other health care workers accompanied with a kind note.
However, as many of us reach the start of our ninth week self-isolating at home, and practicing physical distancing when we are out, I’m beginning to feel nervous about what it will be like when we can all head outside, and physically interact without fear and masks. Every day when I wake up in the morning, I ask myself whether this gratitude stuff that has become rather commonplace will continue when things get back to ‘normal, whatever that would look like. Will we continue to let our good natures prevail? Or will we revert to how things were – rushing to get ahead, and knocking others down in the process?
I’m certainly hopeful that we will seize the moment to continue to give thanks, not just to friends and family but to God who has kept us, and to others – especially those whom we’ve now come to acknowledge as essential to our lives. So, let’s keep our hearts unlocked. Let’s resist the urge to be short-tempered and self-centered. Let’s keep being grateful. It’s one amazing thing that the Coronavirus has done for all of us.
As the COVID-19 virus rages across the globe bringing, pain, suffering and death in its wake, I thought I’d share this scripture alphabet with you to bring you the comfort and encouragement it brought me. This too shall pass.
A is for Assurance. “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22). God gives his children assurance. It is a precious thing, a source of deep peace and consolation. During this pandemic, ask God for it. He wants you to have it.
B is for Bold. “Be bold. Be brave. Be courageous.” (Joshua 1:9). Although, we are isolated in our homes during this, there are times that we need to go out on errands. Be bold and courageous. You can do everything through Christ who gives strength.
C is for Consider. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” (James 1:2,3). As a child of God, you are challenged to label hardships as things over which you should rejoice. Count trials as deposits, not withdrawals.
D is for Don’t. “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches…” (Proverbs 23:4,5). This pandemic has led to big swings in investment markets, and investment losses that threaten to wear you out with anxiety. Instead, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath.
E is for Encourage. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Now that you’ve received encouragement, encouraged, return the favour. Encourage a brother or sister in Christ.
F is for Future. “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18).F is for Future. “Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18). As Corrie ten Boom says “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”[1] https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/70125-never-be-afraid-to-trust-an-unknown-future-to-a
G is for Generous. “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9). During this pandemic, let’s remember to be generous toward God’s work by returning a faithful tithe and offering. Give also to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you, don’t turn away. As you give unsparingly, God will provide.
H is for Hope. “…Hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption.” (Psalm 130:7). Rejoice in the hope you have in Christ. Hope does not disappoint. Hope abides. You have this blessed hope in your heart. Keep looking for it.
I is for the ‘I AM. “I am the God, the Lord of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). During your home isolation, draw nearer to Jesus, our Creator. Nothing is too hard for Him to do for you. He loves you. He is always present and in the present.
J is for Joyful. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). The Lord can bring joy into your life this very day. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
K is for Kind. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another just as Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32). As families huddle together during this pandemic, it can so easy for someone to lose patience and hurt another. So, remember to be kind to each other.
L is for Lift. “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1,2). God is your helper. Pray that His peace will lift away any fear and sadness in your hearts.
M is for Momentary. “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.” (2 Corinthians 4:18). It may not appear so right now, but though we may think that COVID -19 is not light, it certainly is momentary. This too shall pass.
N is for Now. “Now I want you to know that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:12). Could you echo Paul’s statement? Do you believe that these COVID-19 circumstances could turn out to be true? I do. Pray that they do.
O is for Ornament. “Whose adorning, let it not be an outward adorning… even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (1 Peter 3:3,4). The internal grace of meekness, humility, and quietness, is a fruit of the Spirit, and is what is very ornamental to a believer. It is the clothing, your inward adorning that makes you lovely in the sight of God. Show off this ornament during COVID-19.
P is for Patience. “For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” (Hebrews: 10:36). Keep your hopes high during this pandemic. Clothe yourself with patience, it will help us stay calm and make the right decisions. Stockpile patience; not toilet paper.
Q is for Quicken. “Quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word!”(Psalm 119:107). The Holy Spirit is the one who gives life (quickens). His instrument is the word of God. Take time during this pandemic to let the word of God quicken you; renew your love for Him; and increase your determination to please Him.
R if for Return. “Return to the stronghold [of security and prosperity], you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you.” (Zechariah 9:12). When this pandemic is all over, God promises to restore double from your former prosperity… double faith, double blessing, even double finances if that’s what we need.
S is for Seek. “Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Use the time you have during your self-quarantine or self-isolation, to seek out God in prayer. Seek out His word. Do it now. Do it often.
T is for Thanks. “…Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Though this pandemic brings with it a lot of inconvenience, pain and suffering, we have much for which to give thanks. Thanking the Lord in adversity turns burdens into blessings.
U is for Under. “Hide me under the shadow of your wings, from the shadow of the wicked that oppress me.” (Psalm 17:8). Unfortunately, during this pandemic, the wicked have chosen to harm and exploit others. Just think about this week in Nova Scotia. But remember, God’s wings are wings of mercy; wide-spreading; gentle. They will cover you.
V is for Victory. “… the Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.” (Psalm 20:6). Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, our Lord who loves us. This includes victory over death, a sad outcome of the COVID-19 virus. Victory in the face of this pandemic is assured. Claim it.
W is for Worry-free. “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25-26). Stop worrying about COVID-19. Rest in Jesus. Trust Him, and be worry free.
X is for eXalt. “Exalt the lord our God and worship at his footstool. (Psalm 99:5). Alright, I know technically this verse does not begin with the letter X, but you get the point.Smile. Do what it says, Lift up the name of the Lord. Join the angels and worship him.
Y is for You. “Come to me …, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). King David recommends in Psalm 5:3 that you come in the morning, present your request and then wait expectantly for an answer. What a good idea! So, connect with God in the morning (and any other time); make your requests and He will hear you. That’s God’s promise to you.
Z is for Zion. “Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.” (Psalm 50:2). Though you must ensure this pandemic, remember God has promised to take us to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. Wait for it; because it will surely come to pass. See you in Zion.
My Prayer for You
Heavenly Father, please strengthen our hearts, and remind us to encourage one another with your word. Please guard our hearts from anxiety and give us the strength to rise up each day and fight against the struggles which seek to weigh us down. Amen
Ignore anyone who says they’ve never been discouraged. That’s because life often throws you a curved ball leaving you frustrated and less hopeful. Some say discouragement is an inevitable part of life, but Jesus doesn’t want anyone of us to be discouraged.
Just before He faced what could be viewed as the most discouraging experience of His life – death on a cross – He gave this command to His disciples: “Let not your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1). In other words, “Don’t’ be disheartened. Don’t be distressed. Don’t be fearful.” Clearly, these were meant to be comforting words to his friends to help them cope at a time when His mission – their mission – seemed to be collapsing right before their eyes.
However, words weren’t enough. Jesus’ disciples needed more tangible remedy, and Jesus gave it. He said “Believe in God and believe in me”. Said another way, “Trust me and let your heart be ruled by what I promise to give you.” So, take heart, if you are disheartened by failure, or criticism; if you are distressed and disillusioned; if you are down on ourselves with poor self-worth, and if you are without confidence and hope for the future. Jesus is also saying to you and me “trust me.”
The Bible says, “Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Heb. 12:3). Realizing how much Jesus went through out of love for us helps to keep our own troubles in perspective. We also know that Christ, our great High Priest in heaven, is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses, because on earth He was “in all points tempted as we are” (Heb. 4:14-15). Therefore, we can come to Him for help in times of discouragement, just as at other times (vs. 16).
We can focus on the positives and learn to view setbacks as learning opportunities to cope and conquer discouragement. But the only sure thing is to trust in God to strengthen our faith and help us move forward.
“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. Joel 2:25 (King James Version).”
Many people when going through a time of loss, have claimed the promise in this verse as one of God’s future restoration of the things that were lost. We should. Yet there is something more deeply embedded in the Bible verse. While the loss suffered by the people of God occurred from an invasion of insects which devoured their crops, this passage also examines the spiritual devastation that can take place in our lives when sin becomes rooted in our lives.
God names four insects which are noted for their destruction of trees and other plant life – the locust; the canker worm or the inch worm which is the larva of a moth; the caterpillar which is the larva for the butterfly; and the palmerworm which is the larva for a beetle. Locusts breed rapidly to keep the species alive, as their average life span is only several months (animals.nationalgeographic.com). They are powerful fliers that travel great distances. They swarm quickly and mercilessly, consuming all green material in their path.
The word locust comes from the root word ravah which literally means to multiply into a multitude. When a multitude of difficulties come upon us, it can drown out the still small voice of God. Green represents life. Just like the locusts eat all the green and thereby devour life, when we allow sin to sprout and grow, it explodes out of control, eating away at our very existence; consuming our blessings along the way.
Further, when we consider that locusts “travel great distances,” they can also represent generational curses. The sins we commit and do not acknowledge or allow God to destroy in our lives, can quickly spiral out of control, opening the doors of destruction in our lives and progressing for generations to come.
Canker worm is the common name for several destructive caterpillars in the measuring worm family, especially the spring cankerworm and the fall canker worm. They like to eat leaves – a lot, feeding from May through mid-June and then will go back underground, and re-emerge in the fall as moths. The wingless female crawls up the trunks of fruit or shade trees to lay their eggs, and the caterpillars, which hatch about the time the tree comes into leaf, often making skeletons of the leaves of an entire orchard in a few days.
The canker worm literally licks away or laps away at your hope, coming back over and over again like the seasons. Coupled with the caterpillar, (chasel in Hebrew) it devours you with fear, paralyzing fear. The palmerworm (gazem in Hebrew), on the other hand is a caterpillar that suddenly appears in great numbers devouring herbage. It’s pictured as filling you with intense grief and sorrow and quickly cutting you off from the joys of life.
Like an army, the Devil invades our lives with sin, drowning out the voice of God; devouring our lives with fear and hopelessness and cutting us off from the blessings and joys of life. Maybe for some the sin has not been dealt with at its root as evidenced by its swarming rebirth every several months. Perhaps for some sons and daughters, it has become a generational curse, holding up the promise of restoration.
Joel 1:4 outlines a devastating progression. “That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the canker worm eaten; and that which the canker worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.” The spiritual devastation doesn’t end with the palmerworm, but rather begins again with the locusts.
This is a reminder that sin and its brutal effects don’t just stop on their own. When cultivated, it grows bigger and stronger – from the palmerworm, to the locust, to the canker worm, and the caterpillar, and back to the palmerworm. It can also replicate itself indefinitely, even down to future generations, until it destroys life itself.
Through it all, we have the assurance that God will one day restore what was lost. In 2020, let’s reach back to where the worm first hatched. Like the prodigal, let’s repent of our sins, accept Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and allow God, the Holy Spirit to transform us daily. Let’s claim the victory God has given to not tolerate sin in any way, shape or form in our lives. Let’s make this new year, a year of restoration.
All references to Hebrew words and meanings, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (C) 1990 by Thomas Nelson Publishing. All dictionary references are taken from the Merriam-Webster online dictionary (C) 2015, unless otherwise noted.
Christmas 2019 is just around the corner. Already, there are decorations; lights; trees; carols; shopping; presents; family; and somewhere in the midst of all that, the birth of Jesus. Over 2,000 years ago, although the exact year and day are uncertain, this Jesus was born of a virgin in a remote, humble stable in Bethlehem. Bethlehem was the prophesied lineage and birthplace for the Messiah whose birth to Mary was signaled by a star in the heavens and incredible news that was proclaimed by the angels to shepherds:
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10 – 12).
Just then, a multitude of the heavenly host joined that first messenger, praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us” (Luke 2:13 -15).
Right now, he wants to make known to you this same good news. “Christ, the Saviour was born!”
Why did Jesus come to earth? This a very crucial question because a wrong understanding of why Jesus came will take us in all sorts of wrong directions. For instance, if we believe Jesus came to teach morals, then we might think his life was about ethics; if he came to fix the environment, then his life might be viewed as being about trees and plants, and greenhouse gases. If he came to model manners and good living, then we might think our Bible is like another one of those magazines that promote good manners.
We all know that was not why Jesus came to earth. The Bible tells us that He came to save his people from their sins (Mathew 1:21), and the wages of those sins – death (Romans 6:23). He came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). This is the reason for the season – to seek and to save the lost”. “The lost”, a term that means the same thing as “sinners”, are called many different things in the Bible.
In Romans 5, they are identified by several different words that all teach the same idea: ““For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person–though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die– but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us … More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Romans 5: 6 -8, 10)
On the cross, Jesus Christ provided the way of escape from death for people like Zacchaeus – a deceptive traitor and evil-doer; Saul – a Christian hater and murderer; John – a seeker of God; and YOU – in whatever category you fit; with whatever sins you have committed (past and present); in whatever shape you’re in; and with whatever baggage you’re carrying.
So, why won’t you ask Him to save you? Perhaps, you think you don’t need saving? Well, the Bible says the opposite – you do, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. However, you must act now. Right now. For God has appointed a day when His Son will come back to the earth, only, He will not return in the same fashion as His first coming.
This time, He will bring with Him all His glory; all His angels; all His power; in all His splendour and majesty. When He comes this second time, it will not be to call men to believe in Him for salvation. He is doing that work right now! No, when He comes this second time it will be for the purpose of judgment – to give to every man a reward.
Why don’t you turn to Him now? Repent now and be saved.
According to the Collins English Dictionary, “if you mend something that is broken or not working, you repair it, so that it works properly or can be used.”[1]
In Galatians 6: 1, the apostle Paul references this meaning of the word “mend. He writes “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” I’m told, the word translated from the Greek as “restore” was also used for mending a net.
While previous generations of men and women learned to mend as a domestic necessity, for most people today, mending is a distant choice. In practice, many millennials, gen Xers and even some boomers know very little now about mending and in today’s throwaway society, there isn’t much reason to mend a torn sock or pants or handbag. Socks are relatively cheap; pants are still affordably priced; and handbags, well, very few people think about mending those.
That being said, there are several benefits to mending torn things.
Mending repairs what is torn and the result of a good mend is an unnoticeable fix to what we already have.
Mending re-positions and re-orients those who take up the habit, helping them to solve problems that usually happen on our way out the door or after machine washing a load of clothes.
Mending reflects environmental stewardship. The recent rush to follow Marie Kondo and declutter our closets allows us to cast out disposable stuff like clothing from our homes to a landfill site. Mending, on the other hand, requires us to choose to fix what we have without casting out one set of disposables and buying another.
Mending, however, takes a lot of time just like God’s mending of a spiritual life also takes time, a lifetime.
Casting and Mending
In Mark chapter 1, Jesus encounters two different pairs of brothers who were fishermen. While walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, he first passes by Simon Peter and Andrew who in verse 16 were “casting a net into the sea.” As the Saviour walked further along, he sees James and John, two other brothers who were “mending their nets” (Verse 19).
Although, the four were all fishermen, they were not all occupied in the same activity of their profession. One set was casting; the other, mending. You may ask, which is more important – casting or mending? I say both are equally important.
In this blog, I’ve teased out a few important lessons about why this is so.
1. Casting is a necessity for the Christian.
In Luke Chapter 5, after Peter (with his partners James and John) reluctantly let down or cast their nets into the water, “they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break” (Verse 6).
In the first century, nets were used for fishing. If they became broken, the fishermen could not fish. Whenever a fisherman came back from fishing, he would examine his nets to ensure there were no torn or broken places. If he found any, he would mend them; to make them as good as new.
God wants to do the same with members of His household of faith. As broken vessels, God is continually examining us carefully to find our weak spots, and to restore and purify us. He wants to heal hearts, a lengthy but necessary process, if we are to attain holiness and the character of Christ.
Moreover, like fishermen who throw their nets out to fish for cod, snapper and salmon, God wants his servants to be fishers of men. If as Christians, we encounter men and women are broken spiritually, God wants us to cast our ‘gospel’ nets into the water to rescue them.
We should keep in mind, however, that nets do not become worn by lying at the bottom of a fishing boat. They must be used. They are torn when they are cast, and when they are cast productively. This suggests that the nets that James and John were mending must have been a testimony of more successful and productive fishing times.
2. Casting is a requirement for mending and vice versa.
Although a fisherman/woman may not be catching fish while s/he is mending, without a mended net one cannot venture out to catch fish. It’s the same for ministry. There are times when we may feel that things are going very well with us and other times when there is a struggle. We must allow God to mend us so we can be whole as we serve others.
Likewise, as we cast our nets, we must also realize that not everyone we witness to will accept the truth about the gospel; not all those who accept salvation will grow and bear fruit; and there will be times when we won’t grasp the biblical truths that are hidden in God’s word. When we feel wounded, God will be there to mend us so we can go on fishing.
3. We must not give up during mending time.
I’m glad, James and John were mending their nets rather than abandoning them or looking for a place to dispose of them. Mending meant they were planning to fish again and not to give up altogether. They could have looked at their competitors Simon and Andrew and could have become discouraged by the fact that they were casting, but they didn’t. They knew mending was a necessary part of net restoration and, once completed, they would fish again.
Similarly, rather than giving up, we must embrace the times of mending. Many Christians often forget past successes during times of difficulty but no matter where we are, we should always remember to look back to those times when we thought things were better. we must thank God for every past victory rather than be discouraged by the need to stop and mend others, or to be mended ourselves.
4. Whether casting or mending, we must respond to the call of Jesus.
As Simon Peter and Andrew were casting their nets, Jesus bids them “Come, follow me” and immediately, “they left their nets and followed him” (Mark 1: 17, 18). Similarly, when he interrupts James and John, the Bible says “… they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him” (verse 20). Regardless of whether they were casting or mending, Jesus called all four men because he loved them, and they followed him immediately.
It must be the same for us. Jesus loves casters and menders equally. We live in a success-driven society and it’s natural for us to become fixated on our failures, seeing them as obstacles. But whether we are facing difficulties or experiencing victory, we must heed the call of Jesus. We must turn our attention from our nets and focus on the Saviour. He wants us to be with him; to walk with him; and to tell others about him. So, in the big picture, it doesn’t matter whether we are casting or mending as long as we are willing to say “yes’ to Jesus.
I trust that as casters we are also “on the mend.” I know I want Jesus to fix me. I hope and trust you want the same too.
[1] https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/mend
This month, 18 years on, the world will once again reflect on the September 11, 2001 bombings when Islamic terrorists used aircraft as deadly weapons to bomb the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the United States of America. Undeniably, evil was on show for all to see but the world rallied behind the US as it mourned the loss of thousands of its citizens.
Ten years later America responded. Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda leader and the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 bombings during an early morning raid on May 2, 2011 (approximately mid-afternoon on May 1 in the United States). Though debatable, many felt it was justifiable for the US government to seek vengeance for evil perpetuated against its citizens.
But what about Christians? Do we believe that we have to fight evil on its own playing field? I say ‘no’, although I realize the vigilante spirit is alive and well in the church. As a result of sin, we retaliate against those who mistreat us, at times sanctifying our anger as righteous indignation. We behave as if we are wired to repay others for what they have done to us – to ‘return to sender’ the evil that was done to us.
One of the more radical biblical teachings about this is found in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Do we realize that by ‘doing good’, we are actually defeating evil? Yes. That’s because if we don’t follow Paul’s counsel, evil will spread. “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” When we do ‘good’ in the face of evil, it’s as if we are clearing a path to make redemption a possibility for someone else. Whether the person is changed or not is between them and God.
As Christians, our part is to never stop offering His goodness and kindness to our broken world. When we recognize how much the Devil wants us to play his game, we will also understand how acts of kindness and compassion throw a wrench into his most devious plans.
So how do we begin to overcome evil with good? What are some steps we could take?
First Step
I encourage everyone to think about the relevance of the Biblical teaching in Romans 12:21 in today’s world. Throughout the gospels, we are told that when Jesus saw the suffering of humanity, he was moved with compassion. While I am challenged by this, at times, I recognize that if I want to seek God’s Kingdom, then I must accept the values of His kingdom. One of these values is to overcome evil with good. Evil didn’t overcome Jesus, and if He is with us, we too will be over comers.
Next Steps
- Pray and Study the Bible
Having embraced Paul’s counsel, we need to seek guidance from God. This can be done through prayer, and Bible study. We need to get down on your knees and ask God for strength to follow His example. On the cross, He prayed for his enemies who persecuted him: “Father, for giver them for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Of our own, we can do nothing but we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength” (Philippians 4:13).
Studying God’s word is also important as it allows us to benefit from the examples of those who went before us. In the book of Esther, for instance, Mordecai’s arch enemy Haman made gallows to hang him on, but through prayer and fasting and Esther’s bravery, Haman’s plan backfired. He died on his own gallows.
King Saul also relentlessly pursued David, his successor to kill him, and although David had several opportunities to get rid of Saul, he depended to God to thwart the plans of the soon to be ousted king.
When Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph and got him thrown into prison, he didn’t seek revenge. When His brothers’ sold him into Egyptian bondage, he didn’t leave them to starve to death but provided rations throughout the famine that raged the land. In the end he became second in command to Pharaoh and as he said, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20, N.K.J.V).
Now contrast David’s actions against Uriah when he rendered evil for evil. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant, he tried to get Uriah to sleep with Bathsheba so he could pin the pregnancy on Uriah. When that failed, he had Uriah killed on the front lines. David’s household paid dearly for this treachery. His two oldest sons died violent deaths as a result. One of his grandchildren was raped, and 10 of his concubines were raped in broad daylight in front of the entire nation. His kingdom was taken from him by his own son who later died for his own treachery. In David’s case, his own son Solomon noted that when he repaid evil with evil, evil did not depart from his house (Proverbs 17:13).
- Follow Jesus’ Example
Jesus reminded the Pharisees that Satan cannot drive out Satan (Matthew 12: 25-28). Likewise, evil cannot drive out evil. An evil response only doubles the evil. Best of all, Jesus Christ showed us that it is indeed possible to love our enemies. As his enemies beat him and spat upon him, drove nails into his hands and feet, and tore away his clothes, Jesus prayed that his father would forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. “
In the same manner, he taught that we should: “Love our enemies.” “Do good to them which hate you.” “Bless them which curse you”, and “Pray for those who despitefully use you.” This kind of love may only be attained to by those who have experienced the cleansing power of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. When a person has been cleansed from sin, s/he allows the power of the Holy Spirit of God to control their lives. Then and only then will s/he be able to truly love the bitterest enemy. While, we cannot stop people from doing evil, they cannot force us to participate with them. It takes no power, might, or wisdom to retaliate against evildoers, but returning good for evil is one of the greatest demonstrations of strength.
- Claim God’s Promises
Jesus warned us that He was sending us as sheep among wolves. As such, we should not be surprised if we are treated wrongly or unjustly. Knowing that we are in a fallen world, it would be naïve to expect that we will be treated well. That said, we shouldn’t be discouraged from doing good to others for fear that we might be treated badly in return. We must keep on doing good to others as much as we can.
Jesus also knew we were going to feel overwhelmed by the brokenness around us, which is why He reminded us that He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). Every time we confront evil with good, we are portraying a true picture of God’s character to the world. Until He returns, we must represent His kingdom and His ways on earth. Jesus fully understands what we feel, and knows how to comfort and encourage us to go on. Leave it up to God. He will fix it.
Here are a few promises to keep in mind when the going gets rough:
- “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
- “Vengeance is mine and I will repay it” (Hebrews 10:30).
- “Above all love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
- “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2: 16-18).
- Return Good with Good
When someone does ‘good’ to us and for us, we need to do ‘good’ in return. One of the best ways to be certain to follow this rule is to be very grateful for whatever good comes your way. Thank God for what He has given you and thank others for what they do for you as well. Do all that you can to repay everyone who does ‘good’ to you in kind.
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