Saint Patrick - the courage to turn back and forgive

For those who know the wonderful story of Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, the 17th of March is a day to remember him. The legend of his life seems to grow more and more with time, but there is enough fact in his testimony that teaches us some powerful insights. 

In reading a sonnet by Malcolm Guite, I was struck by the thought of Patrick's courage. When he returned back to the land of his captors, Patrick displayed remarkable courage. We could argue that it must have taken a miracle for him to go back to the very people who had kept him prisoner for 6 years.

 In doing this Patrick displayed his Christlikeness, because it was Jesus who taught us to 'love our enemies'. Patrick could have gone back to Ireland with a deep desire for revenge and retribution, but he chose the path of forgiveness and mercy. In doing so, he allowed the people of Ireland to see the true presence of Christ.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." - Matthew 5:43-45

Thought: How our world needs more people like Patrick today? When everyone seems hellbent on revenge and anger, we are challenged to choose the path of love.

Please listen to the beautiful sonnet by Malcolm Guite here.

Living in Grace

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Simply Absurd!

 

"It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him, if you do not do anything He tells you." - George MacDonald

Nineteen century preacher and writer George MacDonald had an incredible way with words. In just a few of his quotes we get to see the depth of the man, as well as his remarkable faith. Here are a few examples of his thinking. It is my prayer that these words would inspire us all to live Godly lives, especially as we begin to move into the season of advent.

Forgiveness unleashes joy. It brings peace. It washes the slate clean. It sets all the highest values of love in motion.

God is nearer to you than any thought or feeling of yours... Do not be afraid.

Deuteronomy 4:7 - "For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him."

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Sleep is forgiveness

 

“Life is grace. Sleep is forgiveness. The night absolves. Darkness wipes the slate clean, not spotless to be sure, but clean enough for another day's chalking.” - Frederick Buechner, The Alphabet of Grace

What could Buechner have meant when he declared that 'sleep is forgiveness?' Is it that as we say goodbye to the trials and sins of today, we pass through the darkness of night, which acts as a cloth, wiping the slate clean? I had never really thought of it in this way, but it does make sense to me? 

Perhaps we should try this and see how it works for us? To release the pain and failure of today into the hands of a merciful Christ and trust that in the morning we will feel the freedom of a new beginning.

Isaiah 1:18 - “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.

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Is forgiveness possible?

This weekend has been a significant reminder of the atrocity of 9/11. I really can't believe that twenty years has come and gone so quickly and it is hard to imagine what our world was like before then. Of course the pain of remembering loved ones is always there for each one of us, but when your family are killed in such brutal ways, it must be hard to even contemplate forgiveness. 

This is the truly difficult part of Jesus' teaching on forgiveness and loving our enemies. It sounds good in theory, but when we have to put it into practise it is a mammoth task. Paul offers us this suggestion and it is a helpful starting point for us: 

"If you want to keep from becoming fainthearted and weary, think about his patience as sinful men did such terrible things to him. After all, you have never yet struggled against sin and temptation until you sweat great drops of blood." (Hebrews 12:3-4)

May you know the love of Jesus as you seek to love those around you.

"To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you." - Lewis Smedes

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It matters

I like to do some reading around Leadership as often as I can and one of the authors I enjoy is Nancy Ortberg. She wrote a lovely book called "Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands", where she reflected on leadership with these words:

“Leadership matters. It stands at the crossroads of what we do and who we are, and that is a profound place. It requires that we shape vision and develop a plan and work hard.  It requires that we become stronger in our resilience and forgiveness and determination and love.”

This last sentence is the one that I wanted to highlight, because I believe this speaks to all of us, not just leaders. Life is teaching us that we can become stronger and more resilient. If we choose determination then I also feel we can lean more towards forgiveness and love. 

What do you think?

Ephesians 1:7 - "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

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Father, forgive them

 

The last 7 words of Jesus, spoken from the cross, have all been well documented. In many Christian communities Holy Week gives us a chance to go deeper into these special words. It is believed that the first of these Seven Words are recorded in Luke:

"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

As we hold these words close to our hearts, it is imperative that we allow God's Spirit to take us to the core of our being. What did these words mean for the original listeners and what could they possible mean for us today?

Jesus' prayer was more than likely aimed at everyone standing at Calvary that day and then they also echo down through every generation since.

God is invited to forgive the hatred of the Jewish religious leaders
God is invited to forgive the complicity of the Roman soldiers
God is invited to forgive the disciples who abandoned Jesus in his last hours
God is invited to forgive anyone who chooses to ignore the sacrificed given for them
The father is asked to forgive us when we carry on with our lives as if nothing happened on the cross.

As we experience Holy Week this year, may the words of Jesus connect with our innermost being.

"To err is human; to forgive, divine." - Alexander Pope

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Forgiveness

 "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." - Luke 23:24

An advertisement for a paint product on TV claimed that forgiveness is easy. Many would disagree - it is not easy to forgive someone who has wronged you or wronged a loved one. Hurt is very real and forgiveness is extremely difficult.

Jesus' words and example have however made a significant difference in many of the lives of his followers. Dr Clarence Macarty tells of the young Armenian girl who saw her brother killed by a Turkish soldier. Years later, when the girl had become a nurse, she was given the task of nursing this same soldier, now wounded. She cared tenderly for him, and at last he asked her how she could do it, knowing he had killed her brother. She replied: "I have a religion that teaches me to forgive."

As we journey through this Lenten period we should search our hearts to find if we harbour any bitterness or resentment against any person. If so, we need to ask Jesus Christ to help us replace these with the spirit of forgiveness.

Prayer Thought: Father I pray that you will help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me.

We are grateful to Mrs Lynn Allison for her contribution today.

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Do not gloat

"Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them." - Proverbs 24:17-18

Wow, some of the proverbs are really hard to try and live out. Take today's one as an example. It is so hard not to gloat when someone 'arrogant' takes a tumble and gets what they deserve. Yet, Solomon is saying we should not gloat over this. I wonder why?

Jesus tells us something similar, doesn't he? He urges us to prayer for our enemies and those who persecute us. That is equally tough. Matthew 5:44 - "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Perhaps Jesus teaches us this fundamental truth, because as soon as we allow our hearts to be filled with hate and gloating over our enemies, we don't have space for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts. Our hearts and souls can't hold both love and hate inside at the same time? What do you think?

"A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you." - C. S. Lewis

"Humility is not a character trait to develop, it's the natural by-product of being with Jesus." - Louie Giglio

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Who could Stand?

 

<sup>As many of us have already noticed there are a myriad of opinions on Covid-19 at the moment and some Christians have added their weight behind God punishing the world for her sins. I will not make any comments on this, except to point out what the lectionary Psalm for this week says:

"</sup>If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness,    so that we can, with reverence, serve you." - Psalm 130:3-4

I see this as a clear reminder that if God was in the business of recording my sins, then I would be first in line to receive eternal punishment. And dare I say, you could be standing in the same line with me. Not one of us would stand as being innocent.

However, the Psalmist is quick to point out that with God there is FORGIVENESS and this is the best gift of all. In our season of Lent we should hear the joyful song that offers to fill our hearts with Hope and Awe - "I am a sinner who receives God's amazing grace!" 

From this acknowledgement of Mercy I then choose to live a life of reverence and service to my Saviour.

Question: Does this following verse sound like a God who would delight in destroying people?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." - John 3:16-17

Prayer: Lord, keep me from pronouncing judgement on other people, lest I implicate myself in these charges. Guide us as we seek to offer your Love and Hope to those who have forgotten you or who are searching for redemption. Amen.


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"If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings,
    who would stand a chance?
As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit,
    and that’s why you’re worshiped." - The Message

Charge it to me

It is a great blessing when someone pays the bill for you! It catches you by surprise and makes you feel as if you want to bless someone else. When Paul wrote to his friend Philemon, concerning the issue with Onesimus, he told Philemon to charge the account to him. 

Philemon 18-19 – “If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self.”

This paints a magnificent picture of God's grace and how God pays our debt for us. When I owe the Lord for my sins - a debt I can never repay - I am grateful that Jesus steps into the gap and says "Charge it to me!"

May you be blessed today knowing that the Lord has taken your sin upon his shoulders.

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Sanctify me

 

"O Lord, forgive what I have been,

Sanctify what I am,

and order what I shall be." - Author Unknown

I love the simplicity of today's prayer. 

For me, it covers all the important bases in our faith. 

It recognises our need of forgiveness and that we all fall short of God's standards (Romans 3:23).

It understands that we need the transforming work of the Spirit to make us into the people Jesus created us to be (John 17:17).

And it surrenders to the will and plans of the Almighty.

May it offer you the same hope and encouragement today.

Hebrews 12:9 - How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!

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Four Messages for Four Cities - Ezekiel 25

For today's reading to make some sense, you will need to picture yourself standing in a particular spot (anywhere will do) and then imagine fanning around 180 degrees. At various points as you slowly turn, you would stop and speak a message to those cities lying in the distance. Seems weird, I know, but this is what Ezekiel is doing - he is delivering a message to 4 different cities today - Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia.

The reason for the 4 messages is that God is now going to respond to the actions of all of these places. Each one of them had acted against Israel in some way or another - laughing at her demise, scorning Yahweh, hating the Jews and seeking revenge against Judah. Each message in this chapter is a personal response to their hatred of God and the Lord seems focused on showing that "He is the Sovereign Lord." 

Again, it is not a joyous chapter to read, especially if you are sensitive person, but I found something intriguing in the last verse of Ezekiel 25. For me it points us towards the Cross and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Read these words first:

" ¹⁷ I will execute terrible vengeance against them to punish them for what they have done. And when I have inflicted my revenge, they will know that I am the Lord.”

So we know that he is speaking to the people of Philistia, but could we interpret these words in a prophetic sense? That the 'terrible vengeance' that God allowed in happen, with Jesus dying on the cross, was so that we would not be punished for our sins. And when God had sufficiently dealt with sin and death, through the cross and empty tomb, we would ALL know that he is Lord. 

How does that sound? Does it make sense? 

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Holding back - Ezekiel 20

 

When we read through the Scriptures there are usually a few words or verses that grab our attention. I have come to find that usually these words/phrases are things that speak to me in the situation I find myself. The message from these verses speaks into my life and teaches me something more about our God.

Today's chapter from Ezekiel (20) contained a usual amount of judgement and challenging words for the wayward Israelites, but there were 2 words that left an impression on me. They are the words 'held back.'


¹⁴ But again I held back in order to protect the honour of my name before the nations who had seen my power in bringing Israel out of Egypt. (The same phrase is repeated in verse 17.)

It tells us that even though God was bleak with his children, he was still in full control of his power and emotions. God was willing to 'hold back' his wrath and punishment, because of his great love for the people. It is true that they were the ones who turned their backs on God - they were unfaithful and disobedient, so God had every right to feel rejected, but he restrained himself in order to give them another chance.

Lent is a wonderful time to be mindful of our own sin and the generous love of God. The Lord could justifiably dish out some punishment to us, but God HOLDS BACK, in order that we may come back to him.

Ezekiel 20:44 - You will know that I am the Lord, O people of Israel, when I have honoured my name by treating you mercifully in spite of your wickedness. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

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Yet - a powerful 3 letter word (Ezekiel 16)

If you can manage to work your way through Ezekiel 16 you will eventually come to a truly hopeful word in verse 60. That word contains just three letters and is the word YET. This short word contains all the mercy, forgiveness and grace of God. Despite how betrayed God feels, he reveals his deep love for Israel when he offers them redemption and a chance to be restored again.

⁶⁰ Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. ⁶¹ Then you will remember with shame all the evil you have done. I will make your sisters, Samaria and Sodom, to be your daughters, even though they are not part of our covenant. ⁶² And I will reaffirm my covenant with you, and you will know that I am the Lord. ⁶³ You will remember your sins and cover your mouth in silent shame when I forgive you of all that you have done. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!” - Ezekiel 16

As we take the opportunity to reflect on our own short comings and sins, this Lenten season, I invite you to receive the gift of 'YET.'
I deserve punishment, YET Jesus loves me more than I deserve.
I keep messing up, YET God is sanctifying me through his grace.
I stumble and fall, YET the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to carry on.

Reflection: What does God's YET mean for you today?

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Cleaner than clean

Even washing clothes in a modern washing machine doesn't always get them 100% clean. Sometimes one has to apply JIK, extra soap or some other cleaning agent to get the stains out. If you understand this house-hold analogy, then you will understand what Malachi is getting at in today's reading. He is promising that God will refine and clean the Israelites - this will be done to make them acceptable to the Lord.  

^"But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, ⁴ and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years." - Malachi 3:2-4

As we edge closer to Christmas let us reflect on the work of Jesus was he came to cleanse us from our sins. The tiny baby, born in the manger, grows up to become the man on the cross. The sacrifice of Christ allowed us the chance to become cleaner than clean. 

No amount of Religion can cleanse us from our sins - we need the love and grace of Christ to get us spotless.

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A prayer of pain

If you take a read of Psalm38 you will notice that King David is carrying a very heavy load - in actual fact he is carrying far too much baggage. Sadly, the baggage of his sin is self-inflicted, but he still has enough faith to cry out to God. Listen to the first cries of his confession and prayer:

“My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.”

 “My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly.

….my BACK Is filled with searing pain.

 … I am utterly crushed!” 

Even if we let ourselves and God down through our sins (like David), I pray that we would still find a way back Home. I pray that we would still have enough humility to admit our mistakes, confess them to our loving Father, and then receive his peace. Like I mentioned yesterday, when we do this, God is not in the business of counting our sins against us. He will see the sincerity of our confessions and is faithful and just to forgive us.

Is Psalm 38 your prayer today? If yes, then know that God doesn't want us to carry the Baggage alone, but that he desires to forgive us.

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