What Then?

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, …...but even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.’  - Daniel 3:17,18

Every now and again, the Scripture surprises us. We are taught to pray believing, and this is true, but then we come across these verses which suggest that our prayers may not be answered because they don’t fall into God’s will for our lives. Our prayers usually end with words like “Thy will be done” and they roll off the tongue easily. But what if God doesn’t agree with our prayers?

Daniel and his friends knew the dangers full well, and they must have prayed earnestly that they would be spared the furnace. Who wouldn’t? I think it takes real inner strength, courage, and faith to say “but even if He does not”... and put yourself completely at the literal mercy of a loving God. To Daniel, God would be no less loving if they had been tossed to the lions. Could we say that?

How difficult is your life? Are you faced with financial problems, wayward children, personal or a loved one’s serious illness? When you pray, it is important, above all else, that God in love will step in and change things for the better, but what if He doesn’t? We know that some prayers don’t get answered and we are faced with silence. That’s not too bad, but what if the answer is the polar opposite of your prayer? Your money worries get worse, your family faces breakdown, and your loved one doesn’t get well, but dies? What then? Do we still think God is loving and in control?

Daniel faced life or death when he prayed. He was sincere, and the Bible records that he and his friends were thrown into the furnace. They should have died, but these Saints were prepared for that possibility. They didn’t die, a miracle was performed and a witness like no other was seen when another man was noticed beside them, and the onlookers just knew it looked like the Son of God. They didn’t need to be told. They knew. In fact the prayer was answered in a way that no one expected. The lesson for me is, obey the command, pray believing, and let God be God. After all, He really IS in control.

Content?

I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Philippians 4:11

It seems that we have to work at being content. That’s not the same as being happy one day and depressed the next. It’s more than that. It’s a settled state of contentment which is sometimes referred to as ‘joy’ in the Bible. Paul had more reason than most to feel discontented. He was beaten, shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, and left for dead after a particularly bad mob attack. That didn’t stop him from learning contentment.

The plain fact is this: Paul wanted to live a contented life because he had more reason to be positive about life than being negative. After all, he knew that God had a plan for his life, and that plan was not concluded yet. Having learned to be content, he stuck with it, and this is the important part for me, “..in whatever situation…”. Life wasn’t finished throwing bad things at Paul, but no matter what, he was going to be content. It was his choice.

As another apostle said in 1 John 4:4, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world”. I for one, need to grasp this truth and hold on to it. What about you? What gets in the way and stops you from being content? We don’t have to stay down. The clear message is that we can rise above it, and live a contented life. Let’s make that one of our God driven goals.

Looking or Seeing?

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched – this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 1 John 1:1

How often do husbands, ask their wife where something has been put, and when told, they still can’t put their hands on it? Has it been moved? No, because invariably the wife, usually with a sigh, will go directly to the place, and without looking, pick up the thing which the man ‘looked for’ and didn’t see. It’s almost embarrassing for the man, and a point scored for the wife.

Why is the missing item not noticed the first time? It is safe to say that the man looked, but didn’t see because he didn’t search closely. The apostle John right at the start of this short letter wants to set the record straight. He makes the point that the early apostles listened to, and saw Jesus with their own eyes, and not only that, to emphasise the point he goes on to say, “we have looked”. There could be no doubt for the skeptics or unbelievers here, because these early disciples were absolutely certain that they had found the long looked for Messiah. They were so sure of it that almost every one of the early disciples died speaking this truth. They could not deny what they had seen and looked at!

The obvious lesson for us today is clear. When we look for God’s will, or read the Scriptures, how much goes in and stays in our minds? How diligently do we look for His direction? The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah says it well when he records: You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Whatever!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

That’s quite a lovely verse and quoted often, but usually in the safety of our own terms and worldview. I am reminded of the good and selfless street Pastors who stand outside nightclubs to provide Christian support for revellers when they leave. Sometimes it’s a warm cheery smile, sometimes a pair of flip flops and a foil wrap when ladies emerge without their shoes, and are not dressed for the cold night air. Sometimes a word of the Gospel is left with the partygoers, but it is all done to show a Christlike Spirit and example. Who knows the results or eternal consequences of their actions? These people and their actions are indeed praiseworthy.

If you live in Europe anywhere, you will already be sucked into the atmosphere of Euro 2016 football, and you will almost certainly be rooting for your national team probably from the safety of your living room TV set! You cannot fail to have noticed the violence both on and off the sports arena. Drunken brawls, flares and missiles thrown, blood spilled, man against man in acts of war-like aggression resulting in a peak of hospital admissions. And all this requires the police to forcibly disperse rioting fans with tear gas! Now if you are of that mindset, and don’t mind being associated with these actions, then by all means go and take part in the ‘sporting atmosphere’ with all the attendant risks involved. You could be made (in)famous by being beamed across the continent among the hooligan, drunken groups. You could be injured and bring shame on your reputation in the eyes of your family, children and grandchildren. That really is a high risk strategy.

I bring these two groups of people in contrast to make a point. Which group would you think reflects the verse in Philippians 4:8? If a Christian is going to be involved and associated with something which is a window to the world, shouldn’t it mirror the goodness that Paul commands? Paul is near the end of this letter, and has said a lot beforehand, but he starts this part with the word, “Finally”. In other words, “When all is said and done”, or “In the end”, or “above all else” and the rest of the text follows. I leave you with another observation. In the first instance of the street Pastors, they do not enter the premises unless it is to do good works. In the second instance, christians find no conflict, not only going into the ‘games’, but also put themselves and their reputations in harm's way, and have no intention of doing good, witnessing or shining a light among the drunken brawlers.

I leave the defence of the onsite football fans in their own or someone else's hands. Maybe there are examples where Scripture condones and encourages this, but it doesn’t seem to fit with today’s verse. When Jesus ate with sinners, it always resulted in a positive outcome and lives were changed. There is another way the word ‘Whatever’ could be used, and it fits with a youth, who faced with an adult telling them they had said or done something risky, rolls their eyes, tilts their head and says in disbelief and defiance… Whatever!

Entertaining Esther

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14

It’s not always obvious, and it wasn’t clear to Esther why she had been placed into the life of a nation for this very time. What had gone on before, and what would come after this time in her life was not as important as her here and now influence and experience! Esther was instrumental in turning the fortunes of her beloved nation around, and she was unaware of her God given place in history.

These two verses take on a new meaning when seen together like this, and I trust and pray that you and I might recognise those ‘angels’ who cross our path and hold out a hand of support, friendship and fellowship right when we need it most. Perhaps they see something we don’t. But even more than that, I pray that we will also be that angel to someone else in their time of need, and be able to help them in some small way. These angels and needs will take on very different faces and come when we least expect it. Just like Esther. Will we be available? Will we be ready to respond?

Separate? How Separate??

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:16,17 NIV

We don’t take much notice of these verses these days because they don’t sit well with the popular ‘Jesus was a party person’ type of message. We try to take Scripture in a ‘pick n mix’ way, and this is one of those areas we tend to avoid picking, so it doesn’t get put into the mix.

We need to start at the beginning. The word ‘separate’ is a verb, it’s an action/doing word and is synonymous with words like ‘apart’, ‘unconnected’, ‘unrelated’, ‘different’, and so the question now becomes: How much do we want to separate ourselves to become more like the person God wants us to be? I believe we have swallowed the lie that in order to be accepted as a real and valid witness to unbelievers, we need to be more like them. We flirt with things like alcohol, tobacco, gambling, unsavoury language, and the list could go on. The result is that we see more and more Christians like the world, and not separate from it. In fact, you may know some Christians who will exhibit some or all of these characteristics, and happily keep company in groups, without any attempt at witness, of unbelievers who are not shown that there is another, and better way. How can we witness to a fundamental change of heart to people who are like us? In fact good people just like us!

So, can we please get back to basics? Let’s be different enough that others will see the ‘Jesus difference’, and also be ‘Christ-like’ enough that these same people will want to know what makes the difference. Then, and only then, will the Gospel message have a full and undiluted meaning, and we might be able to turn round the church attendance decline. Just maybe. One thing is certain however, continuing to do the same as we are doing right now will result in the same outcome. Are we happy with that?

Happy

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12

Jesus says ‘Blessed’ nine times in as many verses, so should we not take note? Firstly the word ‘blessed’ also means ‘happy’. I don’t know about you, but there are some things in these verses which any of us would find hard to be happy about, but that’s the command straight from the lips of the Master, the author of our faith.

You will have been in the company of some positive, and happy people at some time and it is impossible to come away sad or discouraged. The happiness is contagious and their smile spreads to your lips and eyes without you even noticing. You can’t help it. The best thing you can do is to pass that happiness on when you meet the next person. The message I get from these verses is that your circumstances should not be bigger than your ability to be positive and be happy, or know you are blessed! Is that hard to do?

What about the opposite situation then? How do you feel when you share some time in the company of someone who runs everybody and everything down? Someone who hasn’t a kind or good word to say about anything, and who has a face like a ‘Lurgan Spade’ as my dad used to say. For those who don’t know, a Lurgan Spade is a long, thin spade for digging deep but narrow furrows. Get the picture? I guarantee you can’t get away soon enough, and when you do come away you feel depressed, unhappy and saddened. You don’t need that, so you make sure you avoid contact with that person as much as you can. Not easy if that person is family!

What do you want people to think of you as you are in their company? Yes, it makes a big difference when you are ‘blessed’ or ‘happy’ as Jesus wants and asks. It is no coincidence that the best witnesses for the kingdom are those who shine the happiness of salvation, and your friends or family will not be trying to avoid you either. How good is that? You get to witness and enjoy their company often, and that makes us blessed indeed.

A Prayer

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation….. Psalm 71:17,18

If you had one wish for your life, what would it be? Would it possibly take the form of a prayer like the Psalmist? In our youth, we seldom have time or the desire to think beyond our own needs, or the immediate needs of our family if we are blessed with one. The real question behind my words is, what is most important to you, and what do you want your legacy to be when you are gone?

We all know folks who have walked this life, done good, lived close to their Lord and God, and we relish their memory much more than some others. The reason for this is their quest and zest for life, and for passing something of that enthusiasm down to the rest of us. The way they did that was through their simple, unassuming, uncluttered faith. And we can do the same.

The best way for us to influence others for good is firstly to get old gracefully. We joke about that, but there is a truth underlying the words. There is no better or greater example than one given from a full heart, and a love for God which drives all other loves. When we are close to God, we automatically become closer to our spouse, children and friends and without it being an effort. So while life lasts, at whatever age we are, let us live out the words of the Psalmist when he prays: So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation.

The ageing  Apostle of Love, John, puts it so well when he records his own thoughts in 3 John 4, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” Amen to that prayer.

Chain (re)Action

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 1 Corinthians 1:3,4

We have a comforting and gracious God, who knows when to step in and give us His peace. When that happens we are happy to be on the receiving end, and just take. In fact, we will take any kindness that’s going, from God or anyone else. But should it stop there? Not as far as this passage is concerned.

Paul turns it on its head, and tells us to pass on God’s comfort to others. Take a moment and think. God gives comfort to us, but we are to give that same comfort away. It’s still active and real and effective when we give it to others. It’s every bit as effective as when God gave us HIS comfort. This is a chain reaction.

Will you be the one to break the chain? The old saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link” and this is true in this case too. We are being reminded that we are not just to be takers. We must be givers too if we are to reflect the likeness of God into the lives of those around us who are hurting. Let’s face it, the words of the song, “Everybody needs compassion” are so true. Can you remember the Blessing you felt when you passed on a smile, a word, a card, a phone call to someone else? Will you be a part of the chain of Christian comfort, love and compassion, or will you be the weakest link? I pray we are all up to the challenge to keep the chain strong!