Monday Reflection – June 22, 2020
Bountiful God

You crown the year with your bounty; your wagon tracks overflow with richness. Psalm 65:11  

Psalm 65 is a beautiful song of praise to God; a song in which all of creation joins in jubilant celebration of the goodness of God. We know not of the occasion of this Psalm; however, because of the tone of thankfulness and praise connected to flocks and grain, many think it was composed for a harvest festival. It begins with David describing a wonderful picture, the idea that praise was waiting to be given to God in Jerusalem. The sense is that when God came to meet his people, he would be received in an atmosphere of praise. But isn’t this the mood and spirit we ought to be in as we anticipate God’s presence in our midst? The reality or anticipation of God’s presence should automatically engender a spirit of jubilant praise, for indeed ‘In God’s presence there is fulness of joy’ (Psalm 16:11).

Interestingly, the word translated ‘wait’ in verse one comes from a root meaning to be silent. Morgan says, “This does not mean that there is no praise, but on the contrary that praise is so complete that at first it can find no utterance.” Charles Spurgeon adds that when the soul is most filled with adoring awe, it is not concerned about utterances, but feels most deeply how inadequate are all mortal songs to proclaim the divine goodness. Assuredly, no matter how much we try, our limited fragile words are always inadequate to describe the unlimited, infinite God.

David also speaks about God’s invitation to humans, since God is the initiator of the connection between himself and us. Such a connection begins when God chooses and then causes us to come to him that we may dwell in his courts. There we experience satisfaction because of God’s goodness. David also spends time in this Psalm describing the far-reaching greatness of God, evident in creation. As God of the whole world, Yahweh cares for the earth and makes sure it has what it needs. He provides rivers of water and grain for the earth. While the farmer breaks up the ground, ploughs, and sows the seed, God attends to with rain and heat, allows the seeds to grow and prosper, and crowns the year with his bounty. A full and plentiful harvest is the crown of the year; and this springs from the unmerited goodness of God.

Creation is happy and joyful before God because of his great power and care for them. While nature makes sweet melody in song to God, humans have a greater cause to give praise to him. We are beneficiaries of the gift of nature, as well as the priviledge of connection with God and the joy of atonement for our sins. We must never fail to give to God the praise and honour that is more than due. Yet, we also demonstrate our gratitude to God by our proper stewardship of his gifts, including our generosity to others. May God be glorified in and through our lives. Amen

Jermaine Gibson 

Saturday Reflection – 20 June 2020

“Full of honor and majesty is the Lord’s work, and his righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:3

Fear not, I am with you; O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen you, help you and cause you to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand (J. Rippon, 1787)

Brothers and sisters, often we may find ourselves anxious by the prospects of a new normal. The truth is, we may be comfortable in the way of operation that has always been put into practice, and that has always been our reality. But COVID-19, in a way has restricted that comfort, as in many ways, we have to modify our normal way of doing things, our way of relating and engaging people and the mission that we have called to. This realization is even clearer, the more our borders open, and we grapple even more, with returning to a state of normalcy.

Today’s watchword is a reminder for us, that the even as we contemplate the new normal, that the Lord is still at work, transforming and changing lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. That our new normal has not changed our focus and has not shifted our eyes from our Chief Elder. The work of the church goes on, and the Lord still calls us to labour in his vineyard. And that in the work of the Lord – as we live and labour together, we find fulfillment, joy and purpose even as we live godly lives and cling to our hope and confidence. For the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and draws us closer, (by our living and our serving), in a deeper relationship with him.

The Holy Spirit has empowered the church to consider worship and witness and we must avail ourselves to the Holy Spirit, giving all that we are, all our plans, and all that we have, that he may use us to his honour and to this glory.

As we acknowledge this Pentecostal renewal, may the Holy Spirit empower our church; through its leaders and members that we may discern new methods for discipleship; our worship and witness that we may be effective in our new normal.

Until next week, let us not lose our resolve, but let us – by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit – press on as the church – to be salt and light – that we may be faithful to the very end. Amen.

Dominic J. Blair