Wednesday, January 21, 2009

The Day After

It is the day after the historic inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama as the 44th president of the United States of America, and I cannot help but think of one verse of Scripture that sums it all up. "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." (Eph 5:6) The context of this verse is one of immorality, and surely the nation--indeed the world--is steeped in it. On one hand I shudder to think of what is coming upon this world, but on the other hand I rejoice "for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (James 5:8)

Although I wasn't surprised, I was nevertheless saddened to to see millions of people flocking to see a mere mortal man ascend to the presidency, almost as though he were some sort of messiah. It made me think of another man in whom the whole world will mistakenly place their hope and trust--the antichrist. How much better to put our trust in the true Messiah, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Those of us who have put our trust in him can truly say with the apostle Peter, "Whom having not seen, [we] love; in whom, though now [we] see him not, yet believing, [we] rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory." (1 Peter 1:8) Someday my Lord is coming back to reign, and only then will the affairs of the world be set right.

But in the here and now there is really only one thing needful, and it is of paramount importance for every man, woman and child. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)

Friday, January 2, 2009

Not Knowing

"Not Knowing"

I know not what shall befall me, God hangs a mist o'er my eyes;
And so, each step in mine onward path, He makes new scenes to rise,
And every joy He sends me comes As a strange and sweet surprise.

I see not a step before me, As I tread on another year;
But the past is still in God's keeping - The future, His mercy shall clear.
And what looks dark in the distance, May brighten as I draw near.

For perhaps the dreaded future Has less bitter than I think;
The Lord may sweeten the waters Before I stoop to drink;
Or, if Marah must be Marah, He will stand beside the brink.

Oh, restful, blissful ignorance! 'Tis blessed not to know!
It keeps me so still in those arms Which will not let me go,
And hushes my soul to rest On the bosom that loves me so.

So I go on, not knowing - I would not if I might!
I'd rather walk in the dark with God Than walk alone in the light.
I'd rather walk with him by faith Than walk alone by sight.

My heart shrinks back from trials That the future may disclose;
Yet I never had a sorrow But what the dear Lord chose;
So I send the coming tears back With the whispered words, "HE KNOWS."

-Mary Gardiner (1872)