Weeks 07 & 08 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

We saw a kinder and softer side of British politics this week when a little boy passed away after suffering from a severe form of epilepsy combined with cerebral palsy and needed 24-hour care for his entire 6-year life. His name is Ivan and he is the first child of the Leader of the opposition Conservative Party David Cameron. The father described him as a "magical" son who made him the "happiest father ever".

Leading tributes in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown told MPs that every child was "precious and irreplaceable" and that the death of a child "was something that no parent should have to bear". Mr. Brown, whose daughter Jennifer Jane died aged just 10 days in 2002, added: "I know that in an all too brief life, he brought joy to all those around him and I know also that for all the days of his life, he was surrounded by his family's love."

Mr. William Hague, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party said: "Ivan's six years of life were not easy ones. His parents lived with the knowledge for a long time that he could die young, but this has made their loss no less heart-breaking. Ivan suffered much in his short life, but he brought joy and love to those around him."

It is tough to talk about God or His love at a time such as this. Many may even question the heart of God in Ivan's case. But one thing is certain, little Ivan's suffering is no more and he is now in a better place!

The greatest test of a man is his ability to love even when it hurts. The greatest test of a man of faith is his trust in God no matter what he is going through in life. King David knew this principle very well when he said "LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts......" [Ps 15:1-5 NIV]

King David's complete trust in God is something we can emulate. He consulted God on the fight against the Philistines and he would only do so when God gave him the go ahead. He did so because his people were afraid of the might of the enemy. "When David was told, "Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors," he inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The LORD answered him, "Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah." But David's men said to him, "Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!" Once again David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him, "Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand." So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah." [1 Sam 23:1-6 NIV] King David's total trust in God allowed him to have victory over the enemy and to win the trust and respect of his followers.

We see similar kind of strong faith in this gentile woman. "Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone." [Mark 7:24-30 NIV] Her humility and trust in Jesus allowed her daughter to be delivered from demon possession.

At a time of economic downturn and financial difficulties affecting everyone, do we have faith to trust in God's provision? Do we believe in the Word of God when it says "... Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed......When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him......In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps......Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD." [Prov 16:1,3,5,6,7,9,11,20,33] This is testing time for everyone who confesses God is love and Jesus is Lord!

Amen!

Weeks 05 & 06 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

A few days ago, 4 top leaders in the UK banking sector apologised in front of the Treasury Select Committee for their mistakes. They were Sir Tom Mckillop & Sir Fred Goodwin of Royal Bank of Scotland and Lord Stevenson and Andy Hornby of HBOS. Buying the toxic rump of ABN after the start of the credit crunch in the autumn of 2007 by RBS, the dependence on unreliable finance from wholesale markets and excessive lending to property and construction companies by HBOS were some of the remarkable errors made. There were however no explanations on why such mistakes were made in the first place!

The issue of leadership has been on my mind a lot recently. The role of leadership is hugely important whether it is to do with the government, the family, the workplace or the church. The well being of the people they lead would depend directly on their leadership. The best leadership is based on Biblical principles.

On the Sunday before, I preached on Biblical Leadership based on [1 Peter 5:1-4]. It followed on from [1 Peter 4:17] "For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God.....". Keys of Biblical Leadership include responsibilites and correct attitudes.

I believe God is getting ready to judge the world. Indeed He will begin His judgement with the family of God, setting an example for the world. When I look around the world today, it is blatantly clear that unbiblical leadership is common, because not many believe in the God of the Bible or put His principles into practice. Sadly, we see unbiblical leadership in churches too!

I am exhorted and encouraged by God's promises in [Ps.11]. "The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the LORD is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face." [Ps. 11:1-7 NIV]

When the world is falling apart around us with many losing their jobs and facing an uncertain future, there is great fear and depression in the air. The challenges are formidable. When the Israelites were confronted by the 9ft (3m) tall giant Goliath, great fear also gripped them. But David had exceptional courage in God. "David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.......This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head.......All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's.......As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground." [1 Sam 17:45-51 NIV] David overcame his challenges with God's help. So can we if we have David's faith.

We saw similar kind of faith in the 4 men who brought a paralytic for Jesus to heal him. " Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." ........He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home." [Mark 2:1-12 NIV]

Let us be wise children of God because "A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke.......Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.........He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded........He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored." [Prov 13:1,10,13,18 NIV]

Amen!