Mysteries So Bright

11Jan2014

As I read the WSJ weekend edition this morning, I found it just packed full of sorrow and evil that is so prevalent in the world.  It tends to just give me more depression, but I am thinking the righteous reaction is to soberly pray for the conditions of the sufferers.

I also just started reading a Randy Alcorn novel, Safely Home, that dipicts very vividly and accurately (according to reviews) the sad situation in China of the rural home churches and the believers in them.  The persecution is awful and very widespread, apparently.

It seems that lots of Western Christians just don’t get it. We are asleep at the wheel, just keeping the throttle wide open, hurling toward disaster, crushing any that hinder our progress toward our prosperity and pleasure seeking.

Why are we not weeping, casting ourselves before The Lord in seeking His face to how we can join in the battle against evil, in spreading the gospel, in reaching out to widows (divorcees, unwed mothers) and orphans; to those in poverty and sickness; and those in prisons all around us?

Taking our place in the battle line does not need to be dreaded. Instead it can be, it should be, “for the joy set before us”, knowing that we are finally fulfilling our purpose in being here, and of being called to be children of God, fellow sufferers of our eldest brother, Jesus Christ, God’s own Son. And in joining in the host of believers that are on the front lines, being cheered on by the “great cloud of witnesses.” Here is the way Hebrews 12 says it in The Message:

Hebrews 12:1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside *[His Father] God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! *[my insert – tbm]

I’m so glad to see churches like our young church in East End of Richmond, VA,  where many young adults and teens have heard the clear, clarion call to rally to our commander, our Lord. The words of the old hymn come to mind:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

Forward into battle see His banners go!

Boyd