Reflections

The Problem of Pain

There are many problems which baffle human understanding, but there is no greater problem with which the human mind has to wrestle than the problems created by suffering and pain. Death is not the greatest mystery; sin is not the greatest mystery. Pain is the greatest mystery in the universe.

John in the Revelation, when listing the things that will not be present in the New Jerusalem, comes to that problem as the last on his list, and, as he realised that God will forever remove it from the universe, says with deep relief - 'neither shall there be any more pain'. While pain is a mystery it is not an unrelieved mystery, for in many ways it is the monitor of human health. If we felt no pain when fire burned, or when knives cut, then our race would have perished centuries ago.
In making us at the beginning, the God of infinite love and wisdom insisted on creating us as persons and not as puppets, and He will not withdraw this freedom even to save us from our woes. Yet as we watch Him at work in the world, the testimony of history is that He is adept at turning the bitter into the sweet, and producing something worthy for the price that pain had paid. There can be no doubt that the One who suffered most is the Man who, 1900 years ago, hung upon a centre cross. And that Man is none other than the Almighty God.

Reflections

Determining God's Will

Divine Guidance is not just calling on God to pull us out of a hole, but is a way of life, in which, as we rely on His guidance in the continuous, we are nearer fail to receive it in a crisis.

Before we look at some firm guidelines and principles which will help us understand more clearly the way in which God guides His children, we must recognise that in most areas of a Christian's life the Will of God is not in dispute. In the Bible, God has given insights and principles which, when applied, cover about nine tenths of our lives, leaving an area of about one-tenth in which we have no specific instructions. For example, God has told us in the Scriptures that a man who is healthy and is able to work should do so, but the Bible does not then go on to specify the exact kind of work each one of us should be doing. Again, the Bible gives definite instructions on the question of marriage, and points out that a Christian should not be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. It does not, however, specify any details about the type or temperament of the person we should choose.

The difference between these two areas is sometimes referred to as the revealed Will of God and the unrevealed Will of God. There is no real problem here, however, for we shall discover that, as we live by the principles of Scripture in relation to the revealed  Will of God, we shall have no problem in applying those same principles to the area of life where things are unrevealed. 'Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path'.  Ps. 119:105.

REFLECTIONS

Prayer - A Priority

Two thousand years ago Peter issued this warning (1 Pet.4:7) - that time is fast running out. How much more urgent is it today! The age in which we live is so fast-moving that, with so many demands upon our time, more and more Christians are neglecting the priority of prayer. Someone has said, "that if we are too busy to pray, then we are busier than God intended us to be". Prayer is worth more than all the time it takes. If God is willing to live in our lives and strengthen our spirits through prayer, then it is blasphemous for us to wonder if we can really afford the time it takes to let Him in.

Tagore once told this parable, 'I had gone a begging from door to door in the village when a golden chariot appeared in the distance. It was the King of Kings! The chariot stopped where I stood, and the Master's glance fell on me. The Master held out His hand and said. "What have you got to give me?" I was stunned. A king opening His hand to a beggar. I was confused but slowly from my wallet I took out the least little grain of corn and gave it to Him. How great was my surprise when at the day's end I emptied my bag on the floor, and there I found a little grain of gold among the poor heap. I wept bitterly and wished I had given Him all I had'.

If we give God one moment He will turn it into gold, but if we give Him one hour - what then? As you learn to  love Him more you will crave more time to be with Him. You can be sure of this - whatever you give to God will be returned a thousand-fold. Start to share more moments with Him. He will turn then into gold.

Reflections

What is Faith?

Hebrews 11 has been described as "The Westminster Abbey of the Bible" because it contains the names of all those who died as heroes of faith. But the list has not been finished for day by day  God is adding new names so that list - those who learn and recognise the tremendous power of simple faith.

"Faith," said a little boy, "is trying your hardest to believe." 
Well that is not  - that is anxiety trying to look like faith. What then is Faith? Let's look at the acrostic F. A. I. T. H.- Forsaking All I Trust Him. Faith is not struggling, striving or trying, but simply resting, relaxing and trusting in the Saviour's Word.

One definition of Faith that I like very much is this: faith is right believing. The truth of this is brought out  clearly in the story of Christ stilling the tempest  (Mark 4:35-41). Jesus said to His disciples. "Let us pass over to unto the other side"  (v.35). Let that phrase sink deep into your heart, for in a moment you will see how little attention the disciple paid to the statement. In the midst of the lake a storm arose that was so fierce that it threatened to sink the boat in which the disciples were riding. They grew afraid and cried our in alarm, " Master carest thou not that we perish?" But how could they perish when a little earlier Jesus had said, "Let us pass over unto the other side". If they had believed His Word they would not have been afraid. There was no storm that could sink the ship in which Christ was riding, but they believed their fears rather than the word of their Master. Faith is right believing  - it stands on God'd Word no matter what the circumstance.