There is no shortage of bad news in a pandemic. As it is over a hundred years since Western societies really had a proper community-battering one we don't know what to think. Whereas in the busy rush of working, travelling, dealing, chilling, training, coffee-drinking, sport-watching, family visiting and so on there is precious little time to think, we now have time to think. But think about what?
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8
Guaranteed to tick all these boxes is . . . God. Let's think about God.
No, wait, Western societies don't do God any more. This is a pandemic for the politicians and the scientists. The odd mention or two for religion - the Pope at Easter, the Jews at Passover and the Muslims now in Ramadan. But no National Day of Prayer - because collectively we don't believe in God.
And so we miss the good news. Here's Revelation 21.
Verse 9.
An angel points John to the most amazing vision of the people of God, the bride of (Jesus) the lamb. But this is one of the angels who also had the bowls of the plagues (described with all-too-graphic power in chapter 16).
Looked at through the lens of God plagues are an ordered and holy thing (chapter 15). They may intrude upon the churches of earth and our patterns of worship but they ultimately speed the Church's finest hour when this earth is over and glory begun.
The Lord travels with us through earthly agonies as our Saviour and Friend - but do not ever mistake his loving presence for weakness, his sharing of our journey for a lack of sovereignty, his passion and compassion for powerlessness.
No, the world's bad news is part of the divine good news. The very angels under whose watch humanity is brought low, pull the believer away to a sight where human beings in Christ are brought indescribably high by grace alone.
In the words of Jesus (Luke 21), 'There will be signs . . . on earth dismay . . . when these things begin to happen look up because your redemption draws near!
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:8
Guaranteed to tick all these boxes is . . . God. Let's think about God.
No, wait, Western societies don't do God any more. This is a pandemic for the politicians and the scientists. The odd mention or two for religion - the Pope at Easter, the Jews at Passover and the Muslims now in Ramadan. But no National Day of Prayer - because collectively we don't believe in God.
And so we miss the good news. Here's Revelation 21.
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulphur, which is the second death.”9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.Why is this significant just now?
Verse 9.
An angel points John to the most amazing vision of the people of God, the bride of (Jesus) the lamb. But this is one of the angels who also had the bowls of the plagues (described with all-too-graphic power in chapter 16).
Looked at through the lens of God plagues are an ordered and holy thing (chapter 15). They may intrude upon the churches of earth and our patterns of worship but they ultimately speed the Church's finest hour when this earth is over and glory begun.
The Lord travels with us through earthly agonies as our Saviour and Friend - but do not ever mistake his loving presence for weakness, his sharing of our journey for a lack of sovereignty, his passion and compassion for powerlessness.
No, the world's bad news is part of the divine good news. The very angels under whose watch humanity is brought low, pull the believer away to a sight where human beings in Christ are brought indescribably high by grace alone.
In the words of Jesus (Luke 21), 'There will be signs . . . on earth dismay . . . when these things begin to happen look up because your redemption draws near!
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