What Does the Bible Say About Electing Leaders?

 

Photo by Martin Felbisoner 2013

This may seem like a strange question with a very short answer, because in Bible times, there were no nations governed by democratic choice. God Himself was the only authority over Adam and Eve; later He appointed Noah to repopulate the earth (Genesis 8:15-17) and Moses to lead His people (Exodus 3:10-22). The book of Judges describes how God designated various judges to govern His nations of Judah and Israel (Judges 2:16-23).

Rather than following the righteous example of these judges, the people rebelled against their authority and against God Himself, worshiping false gods (Judges 2:16-23), for “every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 17:6; 21:25). Throughout the book, we see the repetitive cycle of man rebelling, followed by God judging His people. Then the people obeyed for a time, and God blessed the nation.

When a nation and its people prosper, and there is relative peace, citizens tend to believe they deserve their good fortune based on their own merits and want no part of God, just as the self-righteous sinner thinks he deserves heaven because of his own good works (Isaiah 64:6), and turns away from God’s Son.

But no man can be saved without trusting Jesus Christ Who died and was buried as the perfect sacrifice to pay for all our sins (John 1:29). He rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), proving that He is God and giving eternal life (John 3:16) to all who trust Him as Lord and Savior. Similarly, no nation can be blessed without seeking God’s will, obeying and honoring Him.

Samuel was not only a prophet, but also the last judge appointed by God. Thereafter, the people rebelled completely against God’s plan and demanded that they, like the other nations of the day, have a king. In effect, they were saying that they trusted an earthly king more than they trusted God, and that they rejected God’s reign over them. Through Samuel, God warned Israel of the dangers of having a king rather than judges, for a king would be tempted to use his power for his own self-interest and for that of his family, even if it meant oppressing God’s people (1 Samuel 8:4-22).

But the rebellious people did not listen, so God allowed them to have a series of kings. Thereafter, we again see the cycle of man rebelling, usually under the rule of a king who dishonored God, followed by God’s judgment. Then the people realized their need for God, at least for a while, encouraged to do so by the example of a king who honored and obeyed Him, and the nation prospered by His grace.

At times, God’s judgment on Israel was so severe that He allowed her to be brought into captivity, as in Egypt and Babylon. During New Testament times, Israel was occupied by Roman officials who ruled over cities and nations, ultimately answering to Caesar, a type of emperor. Bible history seems to indicate that God gives nations what they deserve – good rulers when the people obey him, and bad rulers when they rebel. No power can take the throne unless God ordains it (Romans 13:1), “for the kingdom is the Lord's: and he is the governor among the nations” (Psalm 22:28).

None of these rulers, even the good kings of Israel and Judah, were elected – they took power via inheriting, capturing, or overthrowing the throne. So based on Scripture, how is a Christian living in a democracy supposed to know how to vote?

First we can look at how God Himself distinguished good kings, like David and Solomon, from bad kings like Saul. David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22), and repented earnestly when he fell into sin (Psalm 51). Solomon’s chief desire was for wisdom to know and serve God (1 Kings 3:7-9), even though he was later led astray by alliances with pagan women (1 Kings 11:1-13).

Saul, on the other hand, was driven by greed, pride, and ruthless ambition (1 Samuel 8 - 31; 1 Chronicles 10).  God departed from Saul and deposed him because of his disobedience (1 Samuel 28: 15-19) allowing the nation to be defeated by the Philistines and Saul to die in disgrace (1 Samuel 31)

King Asa was a good king, for he “did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2), including destroying places of pagan worship, and commanding Judah to seek God and follow His laws. God rewarded his faithfulness by blessing the nation with peace, which Asa used productively to build fenced cities (2 Chronicles 14:3-7). Asa cried out to God in prayer to defend Judah against the invading Ethiopians, and God honored that prayer (2 Chronicles 14:11-12)

If we as Christians wish to honor God in our civic duty, first we will humble ourselves before Him in earnest prayer for revival that we and our nation would turn from all wicked ways, knowing that He will hear and forgive us and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). And we must ask Him to give us wisdom as we vote, by choosing leaders who most closely align with His laws. No earthly leader obeys God perfectly, for all are men and women subject to the curse of sin (Romans 3:23).

With voting, as with any decision we face, Christians should seek God’s will, wisdom, and discernment. If we trust Him with all our heart, rather than our own understanding of personalities, political parties or economic issues, and if we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will guide our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Although we as Christians know that God is in control and will work all things together for our ultimate good and His glory (Romans 8:28), that does not relieve us of our responsibility to vote. We may feel frustrated or appalled by flaws in both candidates for any given position, but we should still seek to honor God by choosing the politician who seems to be the lesser of two evils. As Edmund Burke so aptly put it, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." 

Political issues about which Scripture illuminates God’s will include sanctity of life, support of Israel, and sanctity of marriage. God condemned infant sacrifice (Leviticus 18:21); He knew us from even before we were conceived (Psalm 139:16); He guided every step of our development in our mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-15); and His Spirit indwelled John the Baptist even before he was born, allowing him to recognize and rejoice over Jesus His Savior (Luke 1:41-44).

God has promised to bless the nation that blesses Israel and to curse the nation that curses her (Genesis 12:2-3). As Christians, our legacy comes from God's chosen people of Israel, as the authors of Scripture, Abraham and the patriarchs, the prophets, and the apostles were all Jews. When God opened His plan of salvation to all people, He grafted in Gentile believers into the family tree of Israel (Romans 11). 

Scriptural views on God-ordained marriage as being between one man and one woman begin with the creation of Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:21-24) and are reiterated by Jesus (Matthew 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-12) and Paul (1 Corinthians 6: 15-20; Hebrews 13:4) in the New Testament.

If we are unsure of where candidates stand on these issues, we can check their voting record online and glean their views from their websites or other media. May we continue faithful in prayer for our nation’s spiritual health, and may we give thanks that no matter who wins the election, God is still on His throne!

© 2016 Laurie Collett

Edited, expanded and reposted from the archives

In the Dark

 

Photo by Derek Dye 2020

As we anxiously awaited the landfall of Hurricane Milton in Florida on October 9, my family and I were gathered around the TV in our living room, appreciating the knowledgeable, fully illustrated commentary of Denis Phillips, the meteorologist we consider most trustworthy. We huddled together comfortably in our warm, fuzzy robes and slippers, hearing the reassuring hum of the air conditioning, refrigerator, and air purifiers we had cranked up to keep the temperature low. We had anticipated that we might lose power, and it was unseasonably warm outside, even for Florida.

The motion sensor light outside the sliding glass door was constantly triggered by a hibiscus branch whipping about in the wind, illuminating the branch as if it were a floating cloud of plasma or ghostly apparition. Despite the storm raging outside, the familiar sight of our furnishings and autumn decorations helped us feel anchored in our surroundings and in the comforts of home.

After a few transient flickers and dimming of the lights, Denis suddenly stopped mid-sentence, the colorful radar map disappeared, and we lost all power. In an instant, we went from sensory overload to being in the dark. Now that the TV and appliances were off, and we couldn’t see outside, the sounds of every branch scraping or falling on the roof were magnified. Even the usual creaks in the house were amplified, taking on an ominous significance.

Thankfully, we had each other’s company, voices, and dim light and shadows cast by flashlights. Praise God, we discovered by the light of day that we had no structural damage to the house! But as I write this, eight days later, we are still without power and in the dark, at least at night. What a reminder not to take for granted all the many blessings God provides for us each day! (Ephesians 1:3). As the old saying goes, “What if we had today only those things we thanked God for yesterday?”

This experience of being in physical darkness brings to mind what it was like to be in spiritual darkness (Ephesians 6:12), before I knew Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior by trusting in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6).

Without electricity, we stumble in dimly lit rooms, trip over even familiar objects, fuss over a can of Sterno for what seems like forever to heat a small cup of coffee, and try to coordinate our chores with whatever daylight is available in different rooms. We must be careful where we place our keys, flashlight or other necessary items, because if we forget, we are unlikely to spot them later! We are uncomfortable in the Florida heat and humidity, take cold (very brief!) showers, and read our Bible more, by flashlight, instead of watching TV (an unexpected blessing!).

Without the white noise generated by appliances, the silence is deafening. I can hear the Brownian motion, that strange vibration of air molecules colliding with one another. “Cleaning” in the dark is an adventure! Working by indirect daylight, I finally thought I had cleaned our glass-topped dining table, only to find more streaks and smudges as the sun changed its position relative to the window.

Before I was saved (Isaiah 45:22; John 3:17; 10:9; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 16:31; Romans 5:9-10; 10:9,13), I was lost, not knowing what direction my life should go, falling into the devil’s traps more often than not (2 Timothy 2:26; Ephesians 6:11), and wearing myself out by trying to do everything in my own flesh (Galatians 6:8), instead of relying on the One Who has infinite power, wisdom, and knowledge (Revelation 15:3; Psalm 139). I was never satisfied, even when things were going well by worldly standards.

Although well-educated and informed, I could not hear or understand Him, for preaching and Scripture seem foolish and antiquated to the unsaved (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). I kept seeking spiritual wisdom and learning about different religions, but I was never able to come to a knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7).  I was vaguely aware of my shortcomings, but when I tried to “clean up my act,” I lacked the spiritual discernment to know that only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can wash away my sins (Revelation 1:5).

When we had electric power, a simple flick of a switch or a pressed button lit up a room, cooled the house, cooked our food, or opened the gateway to knowledge and communication opportunities on the Internet. Now that I know the Light of the World (John 1:9), I am His light in the world (Matthew 5:14), and His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). No matter what the ambient sounds, or lack thereof, I can hear His still, small voice guiding me (1 Kings 19:12), and I can be still in the raucous din of the world and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

But as we are reminded, electric power is fickle, and despite being instantly available when working, it is totally inaccessible when storms damage the lines or transformers. Praise God, His power is unlimited, instantaneous, and always immediately available 24/7 to His children who call on Him in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

We continue to pray for all those affected by the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and that power and Internet will be restored at our house, which we know is but a small need compared to what many others face. But God encourages us to bring all our prayer requests to Him, no matter how large or small, and we have faith that He is working all things together for our ultimate good and for His glory! (Romans 8:28).

We praise and thank Him for the safety of our family, loved ones, and church family and for preserving our homes. May those in physical darkness have electricity restored, and more importantly, may those in spiritual darkness come to know Him before it is too late! May we who are His light in the world let His Light reflect from us to others, so that they too may see, know and trust Him!

John 12:46: I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

© 2024 Laurie Collett

Fear Not in the Storms

 

Our hearts, love and prayers go out to all those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, for God's protection, provision, mercy, love and grace. May God use these storms to draw us closer to Himself: believers by strengthening our faith in and dependence on Him, and nonbelievers by leading them to seek His face. My favorite verse for God's protection is Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee by the right hand of my righteousness.

A friend recently posted on Facebook that FEAR has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run, or Face Everything And Rise. To these I added my own anagram, Faith Endures All Resistance!

When the storms of life come pounding on our front door, we may be tempted to sneak out the back way and flee, not realizing that we are putting ourselves in even worse danger. But Jesus Christ allows us to confront and stand fast in the storms (1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8), sailing above the turmoil to heavenly places with Him (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6). He is our Rock and Tower in Whom we have refuge (2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 18:20, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness; His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9); and His perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). 

This is true only if we have placed our faith in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), turned away from our sins (Acts 3:19; 26:20; 2 Timothy 2:25), and asked Him into our heart (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10). Then we are saved by His grace through our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), which allows us to do all things and endure all trials through Christ Who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Without Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but with Him, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

The Bible has many excellent examples of faith overcoming fear in the storm. By faith, Peter left his ship in the storm and walked on the water to meet Jesus, sinking only when his gaze left his Lord and focused instead on the billowing waves below. Yet even in Peter's failure to keep the faith, Jesus rescued him (Matthew 14:24-32), and He will do the same for us when our faith falters (Matthew 17:20; Mark 9:24). 

The disciples caught in the storm, with Jesus seemingly asleep at the helm, panicked as the sea was about to engulf them. They cried out to Jesus, not so much for salvation as to berate Him for not caring about them! Yet He rose above it all, calmly telling the winds to be still, bringing peace not only to the waves but to the hearts of His disciples who seemingly had lost faith (Mark 4:37-41). 

Praise God that He knows all our weaknesses, fears and doubts, yet loves, saves and protects us anyway! (Psalm 8:4; 139) He allows us to go through such storms, brought on by Satan who is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2), because they strengthen our faith in and reliance on Him. Time after time God proves Himself faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13), yet our sin nature still questions, doubts, and fears.  

The apostle Paul was no stranger to storms, both figuratively and literally, having been nearly drowned, as well as shipwrecked three times (2 Corinthians 11:25). Paul, like the rest of us, struggled with the weaknesses of his flesh and sin nature (Romans 7:14-24) to the point that he knew he had to die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31) to these if God were to use him for His glory. 

Yet God faithfully worked all these disasters together for good (Romans 8:28)  to use Paul to spread the Gospel throughout Gentile nations (Romans 1:13-16). When Paul was arrested in Caesarea, he used his Roman citizenship to request an audience before Caesar himself in Rome, and Festus granted it (Acts 25). 

God can use even pagans to accomplish his purpose, and here He used Festus to book Paul’s passage to Rome, the center of the empire and a key mission field where Paul would have a great opportunity to witness (Acts 27-1-2). True, he would have to travel as a prisoner, and endure storms, shipwreck, and other dangers along the way, but God was the unseen Captain charting the voyage. 

Evidently through his good character, behavior, and Christian witness, Paul had sufficiently impressed Julius, his prison guard, that he could be trusted, so Julius let Paul visit his friends in Sidon when they landed there (Acts 27-3). What a welcome, yet unexpected, blessing from God, extended to Paul while he was a prisoner!  

Contrary winds as they left Sidon changed their course to Myra in Lycia. Yet had it not been for this detour, they may not have immediately found a ship going to Italy once they landed (Acts 27-4-6). God allowed the storm to direct their path to work things out with His perfect timing, reminding us that sometimes the storms of life do the same for us by keeping us out of even deeper trouble.  

Another storm led them to the pleasant harbor of Fair Havens. Despite Paul’s warning, they stayed there so long that another storm was brewing, and it would be dangerous sailing (Acts 27-7-9). We enjoy the peaceful times when all seems to be well, but sometimes these unchallenging circumstances allow us to get lazy and linger too long in leisure rather than pressing on with the journey God has set for us. 

King David fell into that trap when he took some time off after battle to relax at home instead of training with the troops. His idleness led to lust as he allowed himself to gaze at beautiful Bathsheba while she was bathing, then his lust resulted in adultery, deception and ultimately murder (2 Samuel 11:1-17). Far better to undergo the hard times God has planned for our own good than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:25) and suffer the consequences (Romans 6:23; 7:5; James 1:15). 

God Himself had told Paul that sailing so late from Fair Havens would damage the cargo and ship and even the risk the lives of the sailors and prisoners. But the guard of the prisoners did not believe Paul and instead believed the ship’s captain who said it was fine to sail, most likely ignoring the.financial motive of the captain who wanted to book passengers on his ship (Acts 27-10-11). 

How often do we make a similar mistake, listening to advice from our worldly friends instead of Godly counsel inspired by the Holy Spirit? God graciously speaks to us through such advice from fellow believers (Proverbs 27:17; Psalm 37:30), as well as through prayer and His Word (Psalm 119:105), and we ignore His guidance at our own peril. 

Following the world, like sin itself, can bring pleasure for a season before it turns deadly (Romans 12:2). As they embarked from Fair Havens, they had a gentle wind and good sailing at first, but a storm brewed and then raged so that they could not even steer the ship and had to go wherever the waves carried them (Acts 27-12-14). Sometimes God lets us go through storms that are so severe that we have to give up control and trust Him completely. 

They washed ashore on the island of Clauda where they tried to repair the ship, but there was quicksand on the island and they had to set sail again in a hurry to avoid getting stuck (Acts 27-16-17). When we fail to heed God’s counsel, it seems that dangers attack us from all sides and force hasty retreat (Proverbs 22:3,12). 

The next day the storm was so bad that the sailors had to toss out some of the cargo to make the ship lighter so it wouldn’t sink. On the third day the storm battered the ship so violently that they even had to start tearing down and throwing out some of the ship’s rigging (Acts 27-18-19). When God lets us go through storms, it makes us realize that we have to let go of some things we thought were important but are actually weighing us down, and focus only on Him (Matthew 6:19-21; Hebrews 12:1). Thank God that He is all we need! 

Not only was the storm terrible, but they had not even seen the sun or stars for many days because of the clouds. The sky gets darkest just before dawn in our spiritual life as well as in the natural universe, and everyone in the ship, except for Paul, had lost hope (Acts 27-20). But Jesus is the bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16), and He had a plan. 

God used this storm to give Paul a chance to witness to the others on board. He had tried to warn them, because God had told him about the danger ahead, but they had not listened. Now they were so desperate that he definitely had their attention! As the saying goes, there are no atheists in foxholes, and God may allow the unsaved to reach the brink of death before they take Him seriously (Psalm 40:2). 

An angel of God had told Paul that no one would die in the storm, and that God’s mission for Paul to witness to Caesar would be fulfilled. Paul told his fellow passengers of his faith and God’s faithfulness. It is not easy to witness, especially in a life-threatening situation with strangers and even enemies, but God gave Paul courage to do it, and He will do the same for us if we ask Him. God had allowed the sailors to lose their cargo and suffer damage to the ship, but all their lives would be saved (Acts 27-21-24). If they believed the good news about Jesus that Paul shared with them, they would live forever, so they lost worldly possessions but gained the most precious treasure of eternal salvation! (Matthew 13:46; Mark 8:35). 

If we look back on our own lives, we will see many times when storms strengthened our faith and gave us unexpected opportunities to witness, just as they did for Paul. God used these storms to enlarge Paul’s mission field where he could spread the Gospel of grace!  

Prayers for all in the path of Dorian, for safety and peace, and for all those in the Bahamas and other stricken areas, for safety, comfort, peace, faith, and to be able to rebuild and bring others to Him as their own faith is strengthened.

© 2015 Laurie Collett

Edited and reposted from the archives 

 

Art and Nature

Photo by Laurie Collett 2024

On a recent day trip to St. Petersburg, Florida, my husband and I took an afternoon hike in the Boyd Park Nature Preserve. The trail wove through varying habitats including scrub forest where sunlight rays streamed through the pines, and bright meadows strewn with yellow and lavender flowers. Dragonflies with sparkling wings darted about, and a surprised snake slithered across the path.

Then we followed a boardwalk over marshy areas where tall, dark cypress trees hovered menacingly over cypress “knees,” or knobby roots that grew out of the water, resembling families of ghostly figures. A baby alligator languished in the stream, his eyes surveying the scene while most of his body remained hidden in the murky water.

Finally we arrived at the trail’s main feature – a deep, broad lake offering beautiful views and a home to many waterfowl, including a majestic blue heron striking a statuesque pose and graceful white egrets soaring upward on the wind. A white oystercatcher, with the distinctive tuft on its head, black legs with bright yellow stripes, and yellow feet, was fishing at the water’s edge. When it caught its prey, the rhythmic dance of its bobbing head and undulating neck as it swallowed was poetry in motion.

But what most caught our eye was a tall, silver metal sculpture beside the lake of an anhinga, or cormorant, an unusual black waterfowl that can’t fly when its wings are wet. After diving for its prey, it settles on a low tree limb or other perch with its wings spread, waiting patiently for them to dry. While in that state it is vulnerable to alligators or other predators that could pounce while the bird could not escape.

The sculptor Paul Eppling’s talent was evident not only in the accurate and beautiful depiction of the bird with its spread wings, made from scrap metal and discarded auto parts, but in how he placed it to enhance its natural setting and be enhanced by it. The sculpture seemed to change with each passing cloud or shimmer of the sun, reflecting new facets of its structure and surface.

As we gazed in awe, we were thrilled to see an actual cormorant land on the sculpture, which it chose as a perfect perch to dry out its wings! Not only did the beauty of the bird augment the visual impact of the artwork, but the sculpture now had a useful purpose in protecting the wildlife in the habitat it occupied. It was a comfortable and convenient place to rest, and I wondered if the sun’s rays reflecting off the metal might hasten drying of the wings and confuse or frighten predators.

I also pondered whether the anhinga realized it was resting on its likeness, and sought out the sculpture for that reason, like a person might pause when they catch a glimpse of their reflection in the mirror? Or was it just a handy place to take a nap?

As human beings created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27), are we attracted to His attributes? Do we seek to be more like Him each day? Once we are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), do we allow His Holy Spirit to mold us into His image?

The sculptor used discarded junk to create this beautiful sculpture in the image of one of God’s creations. Many of the most renowned artistic masterpieces of all time have been directly inspired by nature, for the heavens declare His handiwork (Psalm 19:1). God, the supreme Artist and Creator, made man in His own image by breathing life into the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). He endowed us with free will, so we can choose to be like Him or to rebel.

The apostle Paul warns us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that God’s perfect will may be realized in us (Romans 12:2). This is possible only by yielding to the Holy Spirit as He guides us through the process of progressive sanctification, or becoming more holy. As we pray, study God’s Word, and follow His perfect plan for our lives, we become more like Him.

Others can then see God’s qualities reflected in and through us – His love, mercy, grace and wisdom. Jesus Christ no longer walks this earth in His glorified body, but sits at the right hand of God the Father (Hebrews 10:12). Until He comes again, we can be His representation in this world, to lead others closer to Him (Colossians 1:10; Matthew 5:16).

When we are at our most vulnerable, do we cling even closer to His virtues, understanding that His wisdom, power and love can strengthen and comfort us? Do we realize that we can access these by yielding to Him, for He has given us the mind of Christ?  (1 Corinthians 2:16; Romans 15:6).

In our Christian walk, sometimes God allows us a mountain top experience of soaring like eagles (Isaiah 40:31). But at other times, we find ourselves in the valley of despair (Psalm 23:4), our wings wet and our spirits dampened. At those times, our best option is to wait on the Lord to dry and strengthen our spiritual wings, so we can once again be in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6) with Him!  

© 2024 Laurie Collett

 

Light In The Storm

 

Photo by Alvesgaspar2009

My heart is heavy today for all those affected by catastrophic Hurricane Helene, especially for those who lost loved ones. Our beach home, which inspired the post below (from the archives), has extensive damage, the extent of which is still unclear, just as we had finally completed repairs from Hurricane Ian, which struck nearly exactly two years ago.  But we thank God in all things (Ephesians 5:20), despite our loss and the far worse losses of our neighbors in Florida and northward. We thank Him for sparing our lives and home and the lives and homes of our loved ones, for the peace that passes all understanding (Phillipians 4:7), for the joy in His salvation (Psalm 35:9), and for the reassurance that He works all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28). Prayers for all those affected by this devastating storm, for grace, strength, peace and comfort.

  

As my husband and I sat overlooking the beach while reading our morning devotionals, we could sense the storm brewing. The breeze was strengthening, allowing a pair of ospreys to soar effortlessly through the darkening sky. Waves lapping the shore began to

 chop and churn, and the usually pale blue, glassy sea became rough and darkened with deep purple blots like ink stains under the gathering clouds.

I spotted an unusual cloud formation that resembled a rocky cliff with a sharp drop-off, abutting what looked like an immense boulder. In the cleft between the boulder and the cliff was a human figure, huddled in a fetal position. Standing on the cliff was an angel with outstretched arms, as if protecting the person below.

As we watched the clouds change shape in the shifting winds, we witnessed an amazing transformation. The human figure looked up at the angel and straightened up, while still trapped between the cliff and the boulder. Although the angel began to recede into the distance, the sun’s rays, previously hidden, began to illuminate the human figure so that it shone brightly in the otherwise dark sky.

How often do we feel as if we’re trapped between a rock and a hard place? Like the psalmist David, who hid in caves as he fled for his life, we may feel like we’ve fallen into a pit (Psalm 40:2), a deep crevice flanked by impenetrable rock, and an impossibly long way up to safety. We can’t pull ourselves from it or climb out in our own strength, and we are reminded that God is our only hope (Psalm 38:15; 42:5,11; 71:5).

David wrote that the evils surrounding him and the consequences of his own sins were so great that he could not even look up, and his heart failed him. But God alone could save him through His tender mercies, loving kindness and truth, which continually preserved and delivered him (Psalm 40:11-17).

Praise God that He is our refuge in the storm, and that in our moments of deepest despair, He is with us, for He will never leave us nor forsake us! (Hebrews 13:5). He has not promised to remove us from our trials, for they accomplish His purpose for us in ways we cannot begin to understand, as they did with Job (Job 1:21).

God did not answer the apostle Paul’s repeated prayers to remove his thorn in the flesh, for His grace is sufficient in our trials and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9), and we can have faith in His infinite love, power and wisdom to always work all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

While still trapped in the rocks, the human figure in the clouds looked up, straightened up, and shone brightly. When in trouble, we should look up to the heavens, for God is the source of our help (Psalm 121:1). We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! He alone enables us to stand fast (1 Corinthians 16:13; Galatians 5:1; Philippians 1:27) and straight in the storm, and to shine brightly with His reflected light to be a beacon and encouragement to others (John 1:9; 8:12; Philippians 2:15).

Recently our Pastor has been preaching from Scripture verses that comfort us in times of trouble. There are no coincidences or accidents with God.

At the very time we were at the beach watching this majestic demonstration of His handiwork (Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20), His Word spoke to us through the devotionals we were reading. One of these referenced Iguazu Falls, a stunning chain of 275 waterfalls in South America, bordered by a wall on which is inscribed the words “God is always greater than all our troubles,” under Psalm 93:4: The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.

The brightness of the human figure enfolded in the rocks also reminded me that in times of trouble, God hides (Psalm 32:7) and protects us within Himself, in His pavilion and in the secret of His tabernacle, and that He will set us upon a rock (Psalm 27:5). That Rock is the sure foundation (Luke 6:48; Matthew 16:18) of His Son Jesus Christ, Who saves and gives eternal life (John 3:16) to all who trust in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6).

May we trust in Christ alone, and in His mercy, for He is our Rock, salvation, defense, glory, strength and refuge! (Psalm 62:5-8; 59:16-17; 94:22)

His protection and guidance from our enemies, threats and dangers (Psalm 32:8) enables us through faith to lift our head above these trials, to seek His face, offer sacrifices of joy and sing praises to Him (Psalm 27:6-8). Praise God that He is our refuge, strength, and very present help in trouble, so that we have no reason to fear even if the earth crumbles, the mountains explode and are carried into the roaring sea (Psalm 46:1-3).

Even in our darkest storms, may His light shine through us so that we can be a beacon of hope to a lost and dying world!

© 2017 Laurie Collett

Edited, expanded and reposted from the archives

A Time to Plant

Photo by Dragfyre 2011

Our church's Missions Conference this year reminds me that everyone is either a missionary or a mission field. If we are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only Way to Heaven, He has commanded us to witness about Him to the unsaved, who are the mission field. This led me to repost the article below.

Romans 10: 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?… 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What’s your excuse for not witnessing? Mine is fear. Fear of rejection, of offending, even of not being politically correct. But love, even if human and therefore not perfect, should cast out fear (1 John 4:18).

We are told to plant the seeds of belief in Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). But shouldn’t we also accept the responsibility of tilling the soil, watering the green shoots of faith, shedding light on the new growth, and tending it as it matures and bears fruit? What if we are the only gardener in one soul’s life, from sowing to harvest if we fulfill our mission (John 4: 34-38), or from sowing to withering if we fail?

In the first picture I saw of my foster child Sathit, he was a gaunt, solemn lad of 11, standing with his parents and younger sister before a fragile ornamental cherry tree in full bloom, in his native village in Thailand. He was an average student who liked to garden, or “to sprinkle plants in his leisure,” as the awkwardly translated letter put it.

My intentions were honorable. I had picked up a brochure at church and had decided to sponsor a foster child. But I failed him. I didn’t know then that I would commit the cruelest sin of omission possible (James 4:13-17).

The sponsoring organization had “Christian” in the name, so I naively assumed that my monthly monetary gift would provide Christian outreach, along with food, school supplies, and contributions to community projects such as better wells in Sathit’s village. Providing for physical needs is important, but securing our eternal future even more so (Matthew 6:31-33; 16:24-26).

Eventually, I learned that their resources were too limited for missionary services, but by then, it seemed unkind to withdraw my support. Despite the thousands of miles that separated us, I came to know and love Sathit from his letters, drawings, and progress reports.

As time went on, I also sponsored other children through Compassion International, another organization that does offer Christian teaching. It is never too early to nourish children in the Word of God (Mark 10:13-17; 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-17). Reading letters from these children telling me that they loved our Lord and Savior brought me great joy. Arakiados, from India, even drew me an awe-inspiring picture of Jesus, as if he had seen Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).

But Sathit was not that blessed. I sent him Christmas cards, and I wrote him about Easter, about celebrating the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:6-7) through which all believers can have eternal life (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

He wrote back about offering food to the monks in the temples and about Buddhist festivals: “I would like you to throw water on Songkran Festival in the province very much.”

I always wanted to tell him more, to share the Good News (Proverbs 25:25) that Jesus came to save sinners like all of us (Luke 19:10; Romans 3:23) and to reconcile us to Holy God through His shed blood (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 4:10). I wanted to prepare the way so that the Holy Spirit could convict him and so that he would be born again and welcome Jesus into his heart (John 3:3-8; Romans 10:9-10).

But I was still a babe in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1), and I failed to do this. After all, I reasoned wrongly, Sathit lived in a Buddhist family and attended a Buddhist school, and I didn’t want to complicate his relationship with his parents or make trouble for him with his teachers or classmates (Matthew 10:34-40).

Anyway, he was growing up so fast, and now that he was a young man of 16, perhaps his circle of friends would widen. I hoped he would travel outside his village and learn about other cultures and beliefs. I thought others would germinate the seeds of Christian faith I had sparingly scattered across his path (2 Corinthians 9:6; 1 Corinthians 3: 5-11).

Sadly, I thought about it too little and too late (2 Corinthians 6:2). A letter from the sponsoring organization notified me of an emergency situation – could I please call for more information? My prayers in those 12 hours before the office opened were for the problem to have a solution, even if difficult – crop failure, housing destroyed in a storm, even illness in the family. Surely I could help somehow. After all, with Christ, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

But without Christ, there is no hope (Ephesians 2:12-19; Romans 5). I learned that Sathit was riding a motorbike when a pedestrian darted across the road. Sathit swerved to avoid him, crashed into a tree, and died instantly. His young life was plucked up before it even had time to take root.

“Well, at least he’s in Heaven now,” well-meaning friends said upon hearing the news. How I wished that were true. How I wished I had another chance to make a difference, to tell him how he could be saved.

Had I know Sathit had so little time (James 4:14) to make the most important decision of his life – to choose where he would spend eternity – would I have been less afraid, more persistent, more committed? (Galatians 6:9) Would I have given him the Word of Life (John 6:63-68) instead of speaking idle words (Matthew 12:36), for which I will have to give an account to Jesus at the judgment seat? (1 Corinthians 3: 10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

May God help me to remember Sathit every time He gives me an opportunity to witness, to nurture the growth of belief in Jesus. For many souls we meet, we may be the only gardener they’ll ever have.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

© 2003 Laurie Collett

Edited and reposted from the archives