God Who is our All in All!
Monday Reflection – 2017
Prelude
Today we mark another of our Moravian festival, Chief Elder Festival. We recall how on November 13, 1741, 276 years ago, the announcement was made to the congregations of the Brethren’s Church that Jesus Christ is Chief Elder of the Church. We note that no human is head of our Church; Jesus Christ is the sole Head and Chief Elder.
Reflection:
God Who is our All in All!
Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress. Psalm 25:17
David pours out his soul to God in Psalm 25, pleading for help. David begged:
- Do not let me be put to shame
- Do not let my enemies triumph over me
David requested:
- Guidance and direction
- Forgiveness
- God’s presence and grace
- Relief and deliverance from trouble
- Protection and rescue
David’s request in verse 17 (and by extension the entire chapter) is based on the character and integrity of God. David affirms that:
- God establishes those who hope in him and puts to shame his enemies
- God’s mercy and love are great and eternal
- God is good, faithful and upright, and his love assuring
- God is a covenant-keeping God
Like David, we also experience moments, days and years of trouble and anguish. We despise these experiences and wish they never existed. Yet, they are all part of life and we have and will experience these times. How then do we survive these times and keep our faith intact?
The text offers us some thoughts:
- Be honest with God– This is one of the reasons why I love the Psalms. David always expressed to God how he honestly felt, no matter how brutal and wicked it sounded. God is prepared and available to hear us vent and say how we truly feel. After all, he already knows and always provides a listening ear and comforting presence.
- Make our requests to God in faith– It is one thing to plead with God but another to have faith that he is able. The Bible is clear, “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” (Hebrews 11:6) We offer ourselves and our cares to God knowing that he will come through.
- Trust God because of his character and integrity– God cannot and will not fail. He keeps his promises always because of who he is and the fact that his character and integrity must remain intact. This is our faithful God who specializes in things thought impossible!
This morning, I prefer the rendering of verse 17 from the NIV – The troubles in my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. I feel that my own troubles have multiplied. In the midst of my own tribulation, I began last week bearing a burden with someone who I offer pastoral care whose liberty is now in question. By midweek I learnt of the death of one of my great friends who was so kind, compassionate and supportive. As if that were not enough, by last night I got news that one of my cousins, my aunt’s daughter, died in a most horrific way. She was allegedly thrown from a moving vehicle by her ex-boyfriend and broke her neck. I wonder what’s next. Yet, I choose to embrace God, knowing that he will free me from my anguish.
God offers to us the fullness of himself. One of his gifts to us is his peace. Paul writes in today’s doctrinal text: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 May we entrust our lives in God’s care and receive his peace.
I join Mary Peters in song this morning:
Through the love of God our Saviour,
All will be well;
Free and changeless is His favour;
All, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us;
Perfect is the grace that sealed us;
Strong the hand stretched out to shield us;
All must be well.
Though we pass through tribulation,
All will be well;
Ours is such a full salvation;
All, all is well.
Happy still in God confiding,
Fruitful, if in Christ abiding,
Holy through the Spirit’s guiding,
All must be well.
We expect a bright tomorrow;
All will be well;
Faith can sing through days of sorrow,
All, all is well.
On our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying,
Or in living, or in dying,
All must be well.
Till next week, let God be your all in all!
Jermaine Gibson