Friday, July 31, 2026
With Thee
Psalm 23:4 The nearness of God is my good "Nevertheless I am continually with thee." — Psalms 73:23 "Nevertheless,"-As if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance which David had just been confessing to God, not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate, and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature, yet, by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings "nevertheless I am continually with thee." Believer, you are forced to enter into Asaph's confession and acknowledgment, endeavour in like spirit to say "nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!" By this is meant continually upon his mind, he is always thinking of me for my good. -- C. H. Spurgeon ( excerpt)
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Can’t park here
The Lord is Near
Devotional thoughts Thursday, July 30, 2026 Philippians 4 the Lord is near. It has been said that what we are in private is what we really are. C. S. Lewis noted if that if you have rats in your cellar, “You are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.” When worrying circumstances disturb our peace they are like the rats in the cellar. When something surprises us such as an unwelcome circumstance, then the problem of worry and anxiety suddenly surfaces. The issue is whether we view the Lord as near or the crisis as nearer. Lorelle and I went to bed. Very soon after there was unmistakable shotgun shots. Two of them. To me it sounded like they were from our front driveway. Very close. I looked out the front windows carefully but couldn’t see anyone. Five cars went past in a close convoy. But still nothing. I expected police but there were none. No strange cars parked 🚗 in the street. On Sunday 19 July I texted the neighbours whether they had heard anything; “ Yes we did. Not sure where it was coming from but seemed close out the back I think.” It is surprising how quickly one can move from faith in God and yet so quickly have our peace unsettled by an unexpected, sudden, momentary circumstance. However frightening it may be. Here we find one of the ways Christianity is unique among the world’s religions: It claims that Jesus lives inside us by his Spirit and remakes us into his character (Romans 8:29). When he promises peace that is “not as the world gives” (John 14:27), he means that his peace transforms us despite our circumstances. Philippians 4:1-7 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 is about forgetting the intense distress in the immensity of the divinity. F W Boreham writes “Immensity is magnificent medicine. That is one reason—if we may let the cat out of the bag—why the doctors send us to the seaside. We forget the tiddley-winking in the contemplation of the tremendous. We lose life's shallow worries in the vision of unplumbed depths. … The tendency of life is to drift among small things—small anxieties, small pleasures, small ideas, and small talk. He is a very wise physician indeed who can prescribe for us a tonic of big things. F W Boreham, ‘A Tonic of Big Things,’ The Luggage of Life. Euodia and Syntyche may be arguing over teacups creating their storms at the church at Philippi but the Lord is near. If you say their names slowly you get the idea of the divisions that Australia’s churches experience: you Odia. You stink! Sin touchey! But that may be eisagesis reading into the text something that isn’t really there. But these ladies were creating storms in teacups. Similar storms once produced such anxiety in me that I felt a great need to resign from one church as pastor. I forgot that the Lord is at hand! He is Near! Perhaps the term “near” is eschatological referring to the second coming of Christ? In the previous section of scripture Paul had reminded the Philippians and us that the second coming of Christ was always near. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. But yet whether His coming is close in time or far off in time, the Lord is always near. He is able to subject all things to Himself anyway, although we await the final subjection of all things to Himself at His return. The Psalm that best expresses the nearness of God to His people is Psalm 46:1-11 ESV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. [6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. [10] "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Warren Wiersbe has commented on this psalm Verses 2–3: God is our refuge, meaning we do not need to fear. Verses 4–7: God is our strength, meaning we do not need to faint. Verses 8–11: God is our help, meaning we do not need to fret. He is a Refuge He is like the River that supplies our needs constantly (the Holy Spirit indwells us). Be still and know that He is God. The apostle Paul wants you to know the same thing: the Lord is near. Therefore don’t be anxious about anything, pray about everything ! The Lord is near. As Martin Luther in his extreme danger at the commencement of the Reformation in Europe turned these words of Psalm 46 into the beautiful hymn God is our Refuge and Strength Let goods and kindreds go This mortal life also the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever! The little troubles should fade when compared to the greatness of our God who is near. The Lord is near. He is at hand.
Philippians 4 the Lord is near.
It has been said that what we are in private is what we really are. C. S. Lewis noted if that if you have rats in your cellar, “You are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.” When worrying circumstances disturb our peace they are like the rats in the cellar. When something surprises us such as an unwelcome circumstance, then the problem of worry and anxiety suddenly surfaces. The issue is whether we view the Lord as near or the crisis as near. Here we find one of the ways Christianity is unique among the world’s religions: It claims that Jesus lives inside us by his Spirit and remakes us into his character (Romans 8:29). When he promises peace that is “not as the world gives” (John 14:27), he means that his peace transforms us despite our circumstances. Philippians 4:1-7 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 is about forgetting the intense distress in the immensity of the divinity. F W Boreham writes “Immensity is magnificent medicine. That is one reason—if we may let the cat out of the bag—why the doctors send us to the seaside. We forget the tiddley-winking in the contemplation of the tremendous. We lose life's shallow worries in the vision of unplumbed depths. … The tendency of life is to drift among small things—small anxieties, small pleasures, small ideas, and small talk. He is a very wise physician indeed who can prescribe for us a tonic of big things. F W Boreham, ‘A Tonic of Big Things,’ The Luggage of Life Euodia and Syntyche may be arguing over teacups creating their storms at the church at Philippi but the Lord is near. If you say their names slowly you get the idea of the divisions that Australia’s churches experience: you Odia. You stink! Sin touchey! But that may be eisagesis reading into the text something that isn’t really there. But these ladies were creating storms in teacups. Similar storms once produced such anxiety in me that I felt a great need to resign from one church as pastor. I forgot that the Lord is at hand! Near! Perhaps the term “near” is eschatological? In the previous section of scripture Paul had reminded the Philippians and us that the second coming of Christ was always near. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. But yet whether His coming is close in time or far off in time, the Lord is always near He is able to subject all things to Himself anyway, although we await the final subjection of all things to Himself at His return. The Psalm that best expresses the nearness of God to His people is Psalm 46:1-11 ESV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. [6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. [10] "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Warren Wiersbe has commented on this psalm Verses 2–3: God is our refuge, meaning we do not need to fear. Verses 4–7: God is our strength, meaning we do not need to faint. Verses 8–11: God is our help, meaning we do not need to fret. He is a Refuge He is like the River that supplies our needs constantly (the Holy Spirit indwells us). Be still and know that He is God. The apostle Paul wants you to know the same thing: the Lord is near. Therefore don’t be anxious about anything, pray about everything ! The Lord is near. As Martin Luther in his extreme danger at the commencement of the Reformation in Europe turned these words of Psalm 46 into the beautiful hymn God is our Refuge and Strength Let goods and kindreds go This mortal life also the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever! The little troubles should fade when compared to the greatness of our God who is near. The Lord is near. He is at hand.
Philippians 4 the Lord is near.
It has been said that what we are in private is what we really are. C. S. Lewis noted if that if you have rats in your cellar, “You are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.” When worrying circumstances disturb our peace they are like the rats in the cellar. When something surprises us such as an unwelcome circumstance, then the problem of worry and anxiety suddenly surfaces. The issue is whether we view the Lord as near or the crisis as near. Here we find one of the ways Christianity is unique among the world’s religions: It claims that Jesus lives inside us by his Spirit and remakes us into his character (Romans 8:29). When he promises peace that is “not as the world gives” (John 14:27), he means that his peace transforms us despite our circumstances. Philippians 4:1-7 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 is about forgetting the intense distress in the immensity of the divinity. F W Boreham writes “Immensity is magnificent medicine. That is one reason—if we may let the cat out of the bag—why the doctors send us to the seaside. We forget the tiddley-winking in the contemplation of the tremendous. We lose life's shallow worries in the vision of unplumbed depths. … The tendency of life is to drift among small things—small anxieties, small pleasures, small ideas, and small talk. He is a very wise physician indeed who can prescribe for us a tonic of big things. F W Boreham, ‘A Tonic of Big Things,’ The Luggage of Life Euodia and Syntyche may be arguing over teacups creating their storms at the church at Philippi but the Lord is near. If you say their names slowly you get the idea of the divisions that Australia’s churches experience: you Odia. You stink! Sin touchey! But that may be eisagesis reading into the text something that isn’t really there. But these ladies were creating storms in teacups. Similar storms once produced such anxiety in me that I felt a great need to resign from one church as pastor. I forgot that the Lord is at hand! Near! Perhaps the term “near” is eschatological? In the previous section of scripture Paul had reminded the Philippians and us that the second coming of Christ was always near. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. But yet whether His coming is close in time or far off in time, the Lord is always near He is able to subject all things to Himself anyway, although we await the final subjection of all things to Himself at His return. The Psalm that best expresses the nearness of God to His people is Psalm 46:1-11 ESV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. [6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. [10] "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Warren Wiersbe has commented on this psalm Verses 2–3: God is our refuge, meaning we do not need to fear. Verses 4–7: God is our strength, meaning we do not need to faint. Verses 8–11: God is our help, meaning we do not need to fret. He is a Refuge He is like the River that supplies our needs constantly (the Holy Spirit indwells us). Be still and know that He is God. The apostle Paul wants you to know the same thing: the Lord is near. Therefore don’t be anxious about anything, pray about everything ! The Lord is near. As Martin Luther in his extreme danger at the commencement of the Reformation in Europe turned these words of Psalm 46 into the beautiful hymn God is our Refuge and Strength Let goods and kindreds go This mortal life also the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever! The little troubles should fade when compared to the greatness of our God who is near. The Lord is near. He is at hand.
Philippians 4 the Lord is near.
It has been said that what we are in private is what we really are. C. S. Lewis noted if that if you have rats in your cellar, “You are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.” When worrying circumstances disturb our peace they are like the rats in the cellar. When something surprises us such as an unwelcome circumstance, then the problem of worry and anxiety suddenly surfaces. The issue is whether we view the Lord as near or the crisis as near. Here we find one of the ways Christianity is unique among the world’s religions: It claims that Jesus lives inside us by his Spirit and remakes us into his character (Romans 8:29). When he promises peace that is “not as the world gives” (John 14:27), he means that his peace transforms us despite our circumstances. Philippians 4:1-7 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 is about forgetting the intense distress in the immensity of the divinity. F W Boreham writes “Immensity is magnificent medicine. That is one reason—if we may let the cat out of the bag—why the doctors send us to the seaside. We forget the tiddley-winking in the contemplation of the tremendous. We lose life's shallow worries in the vision of unplumbed depths. … The tendency of life is to drift among small things—small anxieties, small pleasures, small ideas, and small talk. He is a very wise physician indeed who can prescribe for us a tonic of big things. F W Boreham, ‘A Tonic of Big Things,’ The Luggage of Life Euodia and Syntyche may be arguing over teacups creating their storms at the church at Philippi but the Lord is near. If you say their names slowly you get the idea of the divisions that Australia’s churches experience: you Odia. You stink! Sin touchey! But that may be eisagesis reading into the text something that isn’t really there. But these ladies were creating storms in teacups. Similar storms once produced such anxiety in me that I felt a great need to resign from one church as pastor. I forgot that the Lord is at hand! Near! Perhaps the term “near” is eschatological? In the previous section of scripture Paul had reminded the Philippians and us that the second coming of Christ was always near. Philippians 3:20-21 ESV But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. But yet whether His coming is close in time or far off in time, the Lord is always near He is able to subject all things to Himself anyway, although we await the final subjection of all things to Himself at His return. The Psalm that best expresses the nearness of God to His people is Psalm 46:1-11 ESV God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, [3] though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah [4] There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. [6] The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. [9] He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. [10] "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Warren Wiersbe has commented on this psalm Verses 2–3: God is our refuge, meaning we do not need to fear. Verses 4–7: God is our strength, meaning we do not need to faint. Verses 8–11: God is our help, meaning we do not need to fret. He is a Refuge He is like the River that supplies our needs constantly (the Holy Spirit indwells us). Be still and know that He is God. The apostle Paul wants you to know the same thing: the Lord is near. Therefore don’t be anxious about anything, pray about everything ! The Lord is near. As Martin Luther in his extreme danger at the commencement of the Reformation in Europe turned these words of Psalm 46 into the beautiful hymn God is our Refuge and Strength Let goods and kindreds go This mortal life also the body they may kill: God's truth abideth still; his kingdom is forever! The little troubles should fade when compared to the greatness of our God who is near. The Lord is near. He is at hand.
Worries
It has been said that what we are in private is what we really are. C. S. Lewis noted if that if you have rats in your cellar, “You are most likely to see them if you go in very suddenly. But the suddenness does not create the rats: it only prevents them from hiding.” When worrying circumstances disturb our peace they are like the ears in the cellar. When something surprises us such as an unwelcome circumstance, then the problem of worry and anxiety suddenly surfaces. The issue is whether we view the Lord as near or the crisis as near. |
Here we find one of the ways Christianity is unique among the world’s religions: It claims that Jesus lives inside us by his Spirit and remakes us into his character (Romans 8:29). When he promises peace that is “not as the world gives” (John 14:27), he means that his peace transforms us despite our circumstances. Philippians 4:1-7 ESV Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. [2] I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. [3] Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. |
Philippians 4 forgetting the intense distress in the immensity of the divinity.
F W Boreham, ‘A Tonic of Big Things,’ The Luggage of Life
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Knowing The Lord
Eternal Life According to Jesus by Dr. Franklin L. Kirksey Major W. Ian Thomas explains, “Eternal life is not a peculiar feeling inside! It is not your ultimate destination, to which you will go when you are dead. If you are born again, eternal life is that quality of life that you possess right now.” In His high priestly prayer, Jesus said in part, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Let’s note three pertinent facts in our text. First, there is a permanent reality. John 17:3a reads, “And this is eternal life. . .” The word translated “eternal” means more than an unending progression of years. It speaks of quality as well as quantity. Eternal life can function within time and outside and beyond time. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29). Someone explains, “If a person were to be promised eternal life, but then have it taken away, it was never ‘eternal’ to begin with. If eternal security is not true, the promises of eternal life in the Bible would be in error.” Second, there is a personal relationship. John 17:3b reads, “. . . that they may know You, the only true God. . .” The word translated “know” is the Greek word “ginosko.” It means to know, or to be aware of, or to understand. Here, the word “know” does not mean mere intellectual knowledge of God but intimate knowledge of God. Psalm 103:7 reads, “He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.” Many are satisfied with knowing God by His acts! Are you getting to know God by His ways? Oswald Chambers correctly concludes, “It takes all time and eternity to know God.” Third there is a perfect redeemer. John 17:3c reads, “. . . and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” Someone said, “Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man is the perfect redeemer.” The New Bible Dictionary defines redemption as “deliverance from some evil by payment of a price.” Hebrews 9:11-12 reads, “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Many are missing the greatest thing in the world because they are hung up on peripheral issues. The primary issue is to have your sins forgiven. Eternal destinies are determined by earthly decisions. Make certain you have eternal life according to Jesus.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Dennison Forum article below. Sorry forgot to reference it.
Blind Faith in Sufferings ?
When such tragedies are in the news, I am always conflicted as to how to respond in this article.
On one hand, I want to offer encouragement and hope. Concerning these attacks, I can remind us that our Father walks with us through the fires and floods of this fallen world and grieves as we grieve (cf. Isaiah 43:1–3). When humans misuse the free will God gives us so we can love him and others (Matthew 22:37–39), the consequences are not God’s fault but theirs.
On the other hand, I remember times in Scripture when God intervenes to prevent the consequences of misused freedom. He sent his angel to release Peter from Herod’s prison (Acts 12:6–11). He used an earthquake to free Paul and Silas from their unjust imprisonment in Philippi (Acts 16:25–26). He used Paul’s nephew to alert the Romans to a plot against the apostle’s life, saving Paul from his enemies (Acts 23:12–31).
If then, why not now? If he would act to protect Peter and Paul from injustice, why not the victims in Seattle and Berlin?
I know that refusing to trust God because we don’t understand him only makes things worse for suffering people. Such a refusal exempts us from our Father’s protection and provision and denies us the peace “which surpasses all understanding” he promises to those who rely on him (Philippians 4:7).
But put our situation in human terms: If your human father could have kept you from being attacked in a mass shooting but chose not to do so, would your faith in his future protection be affected?
This is our quandary. On one hand, we want to trust God and know that doing so is for our good and his glory. On the other, when we see news like today’s headlines, a part of us—perhaps forced back into the subliminal realm of unstated feelings—struggles to believe in a God whose benevolence we’re not sure we can trust.
“Blind faith” and “rational faith”
In a Worldview Bulletin Newsletter article published today, the apologist Adam Lloyd Johnson makes a helpful distinction between “blind faith” and “rational faith.”
“Blind faith” is a decision made without evidence or even despite it. Johnson reminds us of Indiana Jones’s famous “leap of faith” when he steps out into an apparent void to save his father but with no reason or evidence to support his decision.
By contrast, “rational faith” is a decision made based on evidence and logic that nonetheless requires a commitment transcending them. To use Johnson’s example, I have more reason to trust my wife after forty-six years of marriage than I have ever had, but I still cannot have omniscient knowledge of her and our future together, so I must trust her beyond what I can prove about her.
Using Johnson’s distinction, it would be blind faith to trust God in the face of innocent suffering if we had no evidence for such faith. But we do.
This is where the times in Scripture when God acts to protect innocent people help rather than hurt our reasoning. Anything he has ever done, he can still do. If he could protect people from the sins of others then, he can protect us today. If he answered prayer then, he can answer prayer now. If he calmed the storm in Galilee, he can calm the storm where you live too.
What the cross proves
So, as I write this article on this Monday morning, here’s where I think we are: the times God does not prevent innocent suffering count as evidence against trusting him with our pain, while the times he does prevent such suffering count as evidence for such faith.
I wish such evidence against faith did not exist, of course, but this is to wish for a world that cannot exist. If God prevented the consequences of misused freedom every time such sin occurred, humans would not be free. If I am on a low-carb diet but order a pizza and the delivery person brings me a kale salad, my freedom was only apparent but not real.
Faced with the dilemma of faith, I choose to trust God to prevent my suffering or to redeem it when it occurs. The less I understand how he could redeem the tragedies with which we began today, the more I must trust him to do what only he can do.
Here’s why I make this choice: the cross proves that no matter what happens in our lives, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). A Father who sent his Son to suffer a horrific death for the sake of my salvation is a Father whose love for me transcends all comprehension and circumstance.
So, I am making a leap today, not into the dark but into the light.
Will you join me?
Thursday, July 23, 2026
My times
This week I have had a reminder of our finitude and frailty. After a fortnight of bad tummy pains I went to a doctor who recommended a quick trip to hospital to get a CT scan, ultra sounds and a blood test. He recommended I travel by ambulance. He insisted I was having fevers (I couldn’t feel them), which his thermometer convinced me may be possible. We drove to hospital. After much poking prodding and tests the surgeon (yes you read it right) insisted in had pancreatitis. Several surgeons quizzed me about my alcohol consumption. Other than chocolate liqueurs at Christmas my alcohol consumption is negligible, but try convincing the doctors of that. Although they did believe Lorelle more than me. As the CT scan didn’t reveal gall stones (which would have required immediate surgery), they concluded I had endured the worst of it and just needed to give my pancreas more rest by not eating for awhile. In Psalm 31, David describes his “affliction,” the “distress” of his soul, and his “grief” over the fact that “my life is spent with sorrow” and he has “become like a broken vessel” (vv. 7–12). But rather than give in to despair, he prays, “I trust in you, O Lᴏʀᴅ; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand” (vv. 14–15). My times are in your hands. I first came across these words from psalm 31 on a wall hanging in Glen Innes while on a pastoral visit. It was an elderly widows strong encouragement. The words were turned into a hymn last century by William Freeman Lloyd Each verse is well worthy of your consideration. 1 My times are in Your hand; my God, I wish them there! My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to Your care. 2 My times are in Your hand whatever they may be, pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as You know best for me. 3 My times are in Your hand; why should I doubt or fear? My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear. 4 My times are in Your hand: Jesus, the Crucified; those hands my cruel sins had pierced are now my guard and guide. 5 My times are in Your hand; such faith You give to me that after death, at Your right hand I shall for ever be. As friends and family endure life’s difficulties we are reminded that our Fathers hand will never cause His child a needless tear. David can close his psalm by encouraging us to “be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lᴏʀᴅ!” (v. 24). Psalm 31:23-24 ESV Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. [24] Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
My times
This week I have had a reminder of our finitude and frailty. After a fortnight of bad tummy pains I went to a doctor who recommended a quick trip to hospital to get a CT scan, ultra sounds and a blood test. He recommended I travel by ambulance. He insisted I was having fevers (I couldn’t feel them), which his thermometer convinced me may be possible. We drove to hospital. After much poking prodding and tests the surgeon (yes you read it right) insisted in had pancreatitis. Several surgeons quizzed me about my alcohol consumption. Other than chocolate liqueurs at Christmas my alcohol consumption is negligible, but try convincing the doctors of that. Although they did believe Lorelle more than me. As the CT scan didn’t reveal gall stones (which would have required immediate surgery), they concluded I had endured the worst of it and just needed to give my pancreas more rest by not eating for awhile. In Psalm 31, David describes his “affliction,” the “distress” of his soul, and his “grief” over the fact that “my life is spent with sorrow” and he has “become like a broken vessel” (vv. 7–12). But rather than give in to despair, he prays, “I trust in you, O Lᴏʀᴅ; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand” (vv. 14–15). My times are in your hands. I first came across these words from psalm 31 on a wall hanging in Glen Innes while on a pastoral visit. It was an elderly widows strong encouragement. The words were turned into a hymn last century by William Freeman Lloyd Each verse is well worthy of your consideration. 1 My times are in Your hand; my God, I wish them there! My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to Your care. 2 My times are in Your hand whatever they may be, pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as You know best for me. 3 My times are in Your hand; why should I doubt or fear? My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear. 4 My times are in Your hand: Jesus, the Crucified; those hands my cruel sins had pierced are now my guard and guide. 5 My times are in Your hand; such faith You give to me that after death, at Your right hand I shall for ever be. As friends and family endure life’s difficulties we are reminded that our Fathers hand will never cause His child a needless tear. David can close his psalm by encouraging us to “be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lᴏʀᴅ!” (v. 24). Psalm 31:23-24 ESV Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. [24] Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
When slandered
F B Meyer. David. ABJURE MORE COMPLETELY THE CARNAL LIFE. Why do we smart under these unkind and slanderous words, which are as baseless as uncharitable? Is it not because we set too high a value upon the favour and applause of men? Is there not a deadly fear of being despised and condemned? Does not the world still live within us, revealing the tenacity of its hold, in this mortification and shame? Is this being crucified to the world, and the world crucified to us ? If we were really nothing, and God were all in all if the Spirit and the Lamb of God were dominant in our inner life ; if we were dead to the flesh, with its affections and lusts, and alive only to God surely it would be a matter of indifference what became of our good name in the lips of foolish and sinful men. Here then there is a revelation of a deeper death to be realized ; let us not flinch from it, but be willing to fall into the ground, and die to our reputation, as Jesus did, who endured the contradiction of sinners against Himself, and of whom they spoke as in league with Beelzebub, the prince of demons. We must choose death in all those forms in which our Master knew it; that having been planted in the like ness of his death, we may be also in the likeness of his resurrection. V. LEAVE GOD TO VINDICATE YOUR GOOD NAME. Any unjust imputation or stigma that rests on us is part of the evil of the world, and a manifestation of its inveterate badness; it is a grief and care to God; it is part of the burden which He is carrying ever; it is impossible for us to cope with or remove it; it is useless to retaliate or revenge. Like Jesus, we may meekly ask the false accuser to establish his untrue charges, or we may meet them with our steadfast denial; but when we have done this, and we shall find it of little avail, there is no more to do but wait patiently till God arise to avenge our wrong and vindicate our characters.
Selectivity
The people who age the best aren’t the ones who fought hardest against getting older, they’re the ones who, somewhere in their late fifties, quietly made peace with becoming a person their twenty-year-old self wouldn’t fully recognize, and stopped apologizing for it.” The article says just what its headline reports, but it includes an insight I found relevant, whatever our season in life.
Lewis Sherrill’s The Struggle of the Soul focuses on the different stages through which we progress in life, identifying “simplification” as the season of older age in which we determine what matters most and center on it. The article on aging described the psychology behind this focus as “socioemotional selectivity theory.” Developed at Stanford in the 1990s, it notes:
As people perceive their time horizon shortening, they do not simply become more anxious. They become more selective. They prune. They prioritize emotionally meaningful relationships over instrumental ones. They stop investing in social currency they no longer need.
Does such “selectivity” appeal to you today?
Philippians 3:7-16 ESV - But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
My times are in your hands - a thought on ageing
This week I have had a reminder of our finitude and frailty.
After a fortnight of bad tummy pains I went to a doctor who recommended a quick trip to hospital to get a CT scan, ultra sounds and a blood test. He recommended I travel by ambulance. He insisted I was having fevers (I couldn’t feel them), which his thermometer convinced me may be possible.
We drove to hospital.
After much poking prodding and tests the surgeon (yes you read it right) insisted in had pancreatitis. Several surgeons quizzed me about my alcohol consumption. Other than chocolate liqueurs at Christmas my alcohol consumption is negligible, but try convincing the doctors of that. Although they did believe Lorelle more than me.
As the CT scan didn’t reveal gall stones (which would have required immediate surgery), they concluded I had endured the worst of it and just needed to give my pancreas more rest by not eating for awhile.
In Psalm 31, David describes his “affliction,” the “distress” of his soul, and his “grief” over the fact that “my life is spent with sorrow” and he has “become like a broken vessel” (vv. 7–12). But rather than give in to despair, he prays, “I trust in you, O Lᴏʀᴅ; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand” (vv. 14–15).
My times are in your hands.
I first came across these words from psalm 31 on a wall hanging in Glen Innes while on a pastoral visit. It was an elderly widows strong encouragement.
The words were turned into a hymn last century by William Freeman Lloyd
Each verse is well worthy of your consideration.
1 My times are in Your hand;
my God, I wish them there!
My life, my friends, my soul, I leave
entirely to Your care.
2 My times are in Your hand
whatever they may be,
pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
as You know best for me.
3 My times are in Your hand;
why should I doubt or fear?
My Father's hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.
4 My times are in Your hand:
Jesus, the Crucified;
those hands my cruel sins had pierced
are now my guard and guide.
5 My times are in Your hand;
such faith You give to me
that after death, at Your right hand
I shall for ever be.
As friends and family endure life’s difficulties we are reminded that our Fathers hand will never cause His child a needless tear.
David can close his psalm by encouraging us to “be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lᴏʀᴅ!” (v. 24).
Psalm 31:23-24 ESV
Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. [24] Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!
Sunday, July 19, 2026
The Tabernacle in psalm 27
Psalm 27:3-5 ESV Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. [4] One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. [5] For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. I wonder if the familiar Tabernacle in Gibeon (Moses Tabernacle 2 Chronicles 1:3 ESV And Solomon, and all the assembly with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon, for the tent of meeting of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness, was there.) had such a special place in David’s heart, and in his time fleeing Saul in the wilderness, separation from the Tabernacle grieved his soul deeply. And yet God had provided aeons before a huge cavern (large enough for six hundred men), cut from rock. That cavern became a tabernacle where David again met with God. A meeting place with God. A pleading place for David. A refuge from his enemies. A place to wait for God to act.
Psalm 27
Psalm 27:1-14 ESV The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. [3] Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. [4] One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. [5] For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. [6] And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. [7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! [8] You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." [9] Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! [10] For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. [11] Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. [12] Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. [13] I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! [14] Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Psalm 27
Psalm 27:1-14 ESV The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. [3] Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. [4] One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple. [5] For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. [6] And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. [7] Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! [8] You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek." [9] Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! [10] For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. [11] Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. [12] Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. [13] I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! [14] Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Shot gun shots
Saturday, July 18, 2026
Waiting On To Waiting For The Lord
Psalm 40:1-5 ESV
I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. [2] He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. [3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. [4] Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! [5] You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.
Wait For The Lord To Act
Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. [12] For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! [15] Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"
[1] When Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, "David is in the wilderness near En-gedi." [2] So Saul took three thousand of Israel's fit young men and went to look for David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. [3] When Saul came to the sheep pens along the road, a cave was there, and he went in to relieve himself. David and his men were staying in the recesses of the cave, [4] so they said to him, "Look, this is the day the LORD told you about: 'I will hand your enemy over to you so you can do to him whatever you desire.'" Then David got up and secretly cut off the corner of Saul's robe. [5] Afterward, David's conscience bothered him because he had cut off the corner of Saul's robe. [6] He said to his men, "I swear before the LORD: I would never do such a thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed. I will never lift my hand against him, since he is the LORD's anointed." [7] With these words David persuaded his men, and he did not let them rise up against Saul. Then Saul left the cave and went on his way.
[6] Then David asked Ahimelech the Hethite and Joab's brother Abishai son of Zeruiah, "Who will go with me into the camp to Saul?" "I'll go with you," answered Abishai. [7] That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. [8] Then Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won't have to strike him twice!" [9] But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the LORD's anointed and be innocent?" [10] David added, "As the LORD lives, the LORD will certainly strike him down: either his day will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. [11] However, because of the LORD, I will never lift my hand against the LORD's anointed. Instead, take the spear and the water jug by his head, and let's go."
[15] David was in the Wilderness of Ziph in Horesh when he saw that Saul had come out to take his life. [16] Then Saul's son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and encouraged him in his faith in God, [17] saying, "Don't be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. You yourself will be king over Israel, and I'll be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows it is true." [18] Then the two of them made a covenant in the LORD's presence. Afterward, David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.
[16] When David finished saying these things to him, Saul replied, "Is that your voice, David my son?" Then Saul wept aloud [17] and said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have done what is good to me though I have done what is evil to you. [18] You yourself have told me today what good you did for me: when the LORD handed me over to you, you didn't kill me. [19] When a man finds his enemy, does he let him go unharmed? May the LORD repay you with good for what you've done for me today. [20] "Now I know for certain you will be king, and the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hand.
Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! [5] You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. [6] In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. [7] Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: [8] I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." [9] I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. [10] I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. [11] As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" [17] As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the LORD!" [17] As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!
