October 30
Lam 3:1-66 | PS 102:1-28 | Prov 26:21-22 | Heb 1:1-14
Much of the world as we know it has changed. Isolation is the new norm, as countless adults now work from home, as many students in college have moved to online learning. There are many who applaud these changes which they feel have added convenience, less distractions, ability to care for children while working, etc. We must ask ourselves what has been lost. God created us social creatures. We were meant to mingle, banter, influence, etc. The gospel message is not spread through isolation or convenience. It is purposed in one's heart and requires real interaction. The other day I was bantering with one of my patients about much of what is going on in the world. We share many political views on social issues, the pandemic, foreign affairs, etc. One of the most tragic groups that I now encounter are those who hold Conservative views, yet lack any real faith. In many ways their eyes are open to much of the evil which is wreaking havoc in nearly every direction. To this patient, I agreed with nearly everything, and like her I do desire political changes, but this is not where my hope lies. I then turned the conversation onto Jesus and to God's Word, the Bible, to which she admits to knowing very little about (she is secular Jewish). As God's ambassadors, this is what we are meant to do. This cannot be done in isolation, from the comforts of our homes. It requires human interaction, and face to face is the most effective form of interaction.
Much like our conversation, the book of Lamentations, describes the state of affairs of the aftermath of Judah, once a beautiful nation. The prophet Jeremiah, in very descriptive terms describes the devastation that he has and is witnessing. He doesn't blame other nations, he sets the blame squarely on the people of Judah. But for the majority of the book, his focus is inward. He was depressed as he was thinking about himself. But when he allowed himself to get his eyes off of himself and onto God, very abruptly the words change from one of despair to one of hope, as we read in Lamentations 3:21-26, "This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord."
What Jeremiah discovered is available to all of us. God is sovereign. Nothing escapes His view. Our hope must rest in Him, and not some momentary wave based on us earth dwellers. Sadly, many cannot see this as they have become isolated. Many have exchanged going to church, for looking at messages online. We, as Christians, are intended to give to others, not just see what we can get out of things. The gospel message does not move forward cloistered within our homes, safe, sound, and convenient. Sharing the hope of Jesus with others does not usually take place with a bullhorn and a sign. It happens through friendship, face to face encounters, banter at the workplace, etc. We can't abdicate our responsibilities given to us by our Savior, in Matthew 28:18-20. We have been given a commission to spread the Good News. May we thoughtfully consider how to move forward this week focused on how to do that, submitted to Him.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: