Page 5 - Contact Spring 2021
P. 5
You know through all of this lockdown
God remains on His throne
and we as His church
need to be
attuned to what He will ask of us.
I was reminded through a Tearfund No doubt many of us, as we have spent much
encouragement that a crisis can be described time in God’s word during these days, have
as an event over which one has no control. been amazed at how contemporary our
It breeds despair and helplessness, and is a bibles are for today’s circumstances – from a
nurturing ground for giving up, despondency different time and place - ‘Though the fig-tree
and discouragement. When it continues, it does not bud and there are no grapes on the
causes one to exit the realm of faith and enter vines, though the olive crop fails and the
into the abode of doubt. But every crisis fields produce no food, though there are no
demands a response that will shift the sheep in the sheepfold and no cattle in the
situation or maintain the status-quo. Crisis is stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be
never a passive place, but is always a turning joyful in God my Saviour. The Sovereign Lord
point, where responses can result in the is my strength; he makes my feet like the
circumstances ending for better or for worse. feet of a deer; he enables me to tread on the
One of these critical and essential responses heights.’ (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
must be hope. Hope is an anchor for the soul
(BB boys remember this?). It is described as a As we head further into 2021 our prayer is that
favourable and confident expectation of God. you may know much of God’s presence in
It isn’t just wishful thinking, mere optimism or your daily living and draw strength from his
positive thinking. It is expectation, combined reassurances - ‘The Lord delights in those
with anticipation. Jesus gives us peace and who fear him, who put their hope in his
joy in the midst of despair. We, as Christians, unfailing love.’ (Psalm 147:11). His love never
surely have a responsibility to bring the healing fails.
power of hope, given by a loving God, back to
our friends, colleagues, neighbours and the Gary McQuoid
disadvantaged, and even to governments. Clerk of Session
‘he enables me
to tread on the heights.’
