The Heaton File

Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. And the Syrians had gone out on raids and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:1-3)

Faith In A Dark Time

Joram (also called Jehoram) was the ninth king of the northern tribes of Israel following the division. His father was Ahab who did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him. He married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. Ahab would rule Israel for 22 years unleashing a plague of ungodliness, murder, and idolatry. The prophet Elijah said of Ahab that no one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel.

When Ahab died his son Ahaziah ruled the kingdom for two years. He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, following the example of his father and mother and the example of Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had led Israel to sin. He served Baal and worshiped him, provoking the anger of the Lord, just as his father had done. Ahaziah died by the hand of God for seeking the counsel of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, instead of the Lord God. Because he had no son, his brother, and son of Ahab, Joram became king. He did evil before God but not like his father and mother. The king continued to lead the northern tribes in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.

Somewhere in the hill country of the northern tribes, a devout family of God found joy in the birth of a little girl. They would cherish this little girl as a gift from God in a dark world given over to wickedness. No king that would rule the northern tribes were righteous. From Jeroboam until the Assyrians arrive in 722 B. C., the inhabitants of the ten tribes of Israel were living in a world dark with great wickedness. The leaders were wicked, the religious leaders were corrupt and the world was filled with ungodliness. One family struggled to keep their faith in God and teach their little girl to trust in the power of God. And then one day a cloud of dust appeared over the horizon and the worst nightmare for any family living in the northern part of Israel came true. The army of the Syrians attacked the cities and villages to loot, plunder and take captives. Included in the sweep by the Syrian army was the family of this young girl.

Nothing is known of the family of the little girl. Were they killed in the Syrian raid or taken captive with so many others? Did they survive the attack and live in the mountains away from the raiding parties? The scriptures are silent. What is known is that on one of the raids under the command of Naaman, the young girl was taken captive. She was given the servile task of working in the home of the Syrian commander’s wife. Her life would never be the same. For many who found themselves slaves of the Syrians, there would be resentment, hatred, and scorn. If anything tragic happened to the Syrians, they would rejoice. This was not the case of the young girl serving the wife of Naaman.

Faith in a dark time is where the young girl found the faith that God could do the impossible. What is remarkable about the young maiden is that she grew up in the world of Ahab, Ahaziah, and Joram. There were few influences of goodness and righteousness. Somewhere in all the putridity of sin that surrounded them, the family of this young lady taught her to trust in God. When she saw that Naaman was a leper, she implored her mistress to have him go to the prophet in Israel who would heal him of his leprosy. This was an incredible belief. Leprosy had no cure. Jesus would later remark many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman. The little girl believed in something taught to her by her parents. She saw faith in a time of darkness; not only in her life but she could see hope for her master to take away his leprosy.

Life can be a challenge and when the world gets turned upside down it can be hard to see the good in it all. Ironically, the early church grew strong in the face of persecution which shows how the faithful work through the times of difficulty. The generation of the early twentieth century was known for their hard work, frugality, and courage. This came from the rugged times of the Great Depression, and two World Wars. Dark times are meant to test the mettle of men and no time is as clear as the present. Faith does not disappear in the darkness, it shines as light. The faith of the young girl who changed Naaman’s life was a light in a dark world of sin. Children of God must be the light in a dark world to show others why God’s way is the way of peace, security, love, and hope. The darkness that hangs over our world will end one day because behind every dark cloud the sun continues to shine. Faith must shine from the hearts of the disciples of the King who reigns and the God who rules. Let your light shine and let the world hear your trumpet of faith – loud and clear.

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)

Continue To Pray And Do Not Lose Heart

It is easy to lose heart when the dawn looks so long away and the night is dark with uncertainty. The struggle of prayer is to couple the petitions to God with the need for patience, endurance, and faith. Men are impetuous with their desires wanting quick solutions, instant answers and questions answered. Prayer is the ultimate test of learning the will of God is not matched by the impatience of man. Time marches on at the same rate every day with every second counting every minute creating the same amount of hours in a day. The problem with the carnal spirit is to demand time to speed up and to serve the needs of man. It becomes where prayer is demanding rather than asking or pleading. Many lose heart in prayer because they are not patient to the will of God who has a greater knowledge of the need.

Jesus understood the plight of men’s desire for an answer in prayer. One of the most important lessons He taught His disciples is that prayer requires more than just a casual request. He taught His disciples that prayer is continual and while the lips voice the desire of the heart, the spirit of man must wait for the grace of God to answer the prayer. God could answer every prayer the instant they are offered but He chooses not. Often (more often than not) prayer becomes a test of faith. The parable Jesus taught was the need to never give up seeking the favor of the Father.

When the widow came to the judge, she had one thing in mind. Her utmost desire was for justice to be meted out against her adversary. The lesson of the parable is not the evil judge or the reason for the widow’s request. Everything about her attitude and the need of her heart was paramount for the lesson Jesus was teaching about prayer. The judge rebuffed her at first and gave no heed. She did not give up. The widow continued her assault. In time, the judge knew how intent the widow was in her request and he granted her wish because she troubled him by her continual coming.

The persistent widow is a divine example of how tenacious the heart must be in prayer. God wants to see and know how serious the petitioner will be in his desires. How the Father will answer prayer is unknown to the mind of man. Examples are found in the Bible where the Lord answered prayers quickly but often there was much time between the petition and the answer. The point is that prayer must be accompanied by a heart that is persistent in the petition without losing heart. Prayer is expressing to a loving and compassionate Father the needs of the child and that child must show his or her faith by how much they devote their will to prayer.

Do not give up and do not lose heart means that God hears the prayers of His children and He will answer those prayers – in accordance with His will, His knowledge, and His plan. What is man that he is mindful of the ways of God to demand anything? Prayer is pleading the promises of God. If the Father answers prayer today, that is a blessing. When many days, months or years go by for the answer of prayer, God is still glorified. Prayer is seeking the blessing of God and leaving that request with him – without instructions on how to answer the prayer. The greatest part of prayer is having faith to leave prayer with God. Do not lose heart and do not give up. God answers every prayer of those who insist on their faith upon Him.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16)

Desiring Something Better

Albert Brumley wrote, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door, and I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.” Life can be hard, unfair, without answers and frankly a time of great trial. It is not a dilemma that man has never experienced. When Noah and his family walked among the multitude of humanity, there was almost no righteousness except their own. Watching the world be annihilated by the waters of the flood must have been an impossible sight for the eight souls in the ark to witness. Just over a year after Noah’s family entered the ark, they stepped out into a world with only eight people. Life was changed and it was a harsh reality.

The nation of Israel rose to be great and prosperous and for one-hundred-twenty years, stood as a beacon of God’s love and grace to the nations surrounding them. Because of rebellion fueled by the wickedness of the carnal spirit, the nation was destroyed. First, the ten tribes of the north plunged into ungodliness and were destroyed in 722 B. C. by the Assyrian armies. Then, 116 years later, the Babylonian empire came against Jerusalem and began its bondage as decreed by the Lord. Life changed dramatically for those who lived during the turbulent times of the divided kingdom. Many died and many more were taken as captive slaves never to return to the land of promise. Daniel and his three friends were taken away from their homeland never to return. Life was different. Could they have imagined how their lives would have turned out? Seventy years would pass before a remnant would return. For many who were taken in captivity, life was hard, unfair and remained a mystery.

When the early church began to increase in number persecutions arose to dampen their spirits. Saul of Tarsus began a reign of terror seeking all those of the Way to imprison and torture and execute death sentences. Then the Roman government began a period of persecution lasting more than two-hundred years. Families have broken apart, friendships dashed, lives filled with suffering and death and for many their lives consisted of wandering about in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. Early Christians were tortured, jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. Life was a tragedy of misfortunes because of their faith.

The annals of God’s people are filled with stories of suffering, trouble, torment, and disappointment. Life can be hard for many reasons. Famine and floods are not respective of what a man believes. Disease will take the lives of the righteous as well as the unrighteous. Economic depressions impact the bank accounts of the Christians and the non-Christian. Fear and uncertainty can fill the hearts of any man. Pandemics do not concern themselves with a certain group of people in a certain local for a specific purpose. The Black Plague and the Spanish Flu killed millions of people without regard to gender, age or beliefs. Life is the reality the sun rises on the just and the unjust. To all men fall the trials of life. What makes a difference is not the event of life but how one deals with the events of life.

God’s people suffer but what makes a difference for them is how they view suffering. To die in faith is to look for a promise outside the realm of what can be seen. Christians know this world is not their home. They see something afar off and they have the assurance of God’s promise of eternal life allowing them to embrace a higher calling and confess hope in that which is greater. People of God are looking for a homeland. Whatever happens in life is temporary. Seeking another homeland takes the eyes of fact away from the reality of life to become eyes of faith seeking a home beyond the vale of death. The desire of the heart is a heavenly country. Desire is a strong emotion of appealing to the true nature of the child of God. It takes away the pain of this life and places the hope of joy in the promise of God of eternal life. There is joy for those who seek a better country, a heavenly home. What a man desires will be his guide. Seek those things above where Christ is. Pray. Live. Look. Desire.

Then the officers came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why have you not brought Him?” The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (John 7:45-46)

No Man Like Jesus

The popularity of Jesus was waning and He was coming under greater scrutiny by the Jewish hierarchy. Many of the disciples had turned and walked with Jesus no more. They saw the miracle of the five thousand fed with five loaves and two fishes but when Jesus expounded on the meaning of the bread of life which came down from heaven, the people were offended. It confounded the Jewish leaders that a man from Nazareth, the son of a carpenter and an unknown among scholars was so eloquent and forceful in His teachings. Many of the people believed in Jesus and declared that no other man could have done the miracles as Jesus had shown His power and this proved Him to be the coming Christ. This caused a great deal of concern among the Pharisees who along with the chief priests sent officers to take Jesus. Some of the people wanted to arrest Jesus but no one laid hands on Him.

Returning to the chief priests and Pharisees empty-handed, the temple guards acknowledged they could not arrest Jesus. The Jewish leaders were angered by the inability of the officers to carry out their duty and asked why they had not brought Jesus. Their only reply was that they had never heard a man speak like Jesus. The guards went with the full authority of the Sanhedrin to arrest Jesus as they had done with many other people. Finding Jesus in the temple, the guards listened to the boldness of His teaching. Even the people were amazed at the teaching of Jesus and how the temple rulers had not stopped Jesus. They sought to take Jesus but no one laid a hand on Him because His hour had not yet come.

The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man.” Their impression of Jesus was open, honest and their hearts were impacted by the manner of His discourse. It is sad that not long after these events Jesus would be delivered up and killed. The Pharisees were so blind they charged the temple guards with being deceived by Jesus and the religious leaders cursed their own people. Nothing is clearer in the hearts of the religious leaders than the hypocrisy to deny the teaching of Jesus Christ for their own doctrines and commandments. Even when Nicodemus spoke up and charged his fellow rulers with condemning Jesus before hearing Him, the Pharisees rebuked him. If they had inquired of Jesus of His birth, they would have learned that while He grew up in Galilee, his birthplace was the promised city of prophecy where the Christ would be born. Their rejection of Jesus was to reject what He said.

No man ever spoke like Jesus and His word continues today. The Bible is the fullness of the word of Jesus Christ. When Moses penned the first five books of scripture he wrote about Jesus. All of the writers through the ages spoke about Christ until the final pen was laid to rest as John completed the Revelation. All things that pertain to life and godliness are contained in the message of Jesus Christ and there is no message on the earth that is as powerful as the word of Jesus. Things change and generations come and go but the word of Jesus remains the same. Many are like the Pharisees who charge Jesus as a fraud when they have never taken the time to learn what He taught, who He said He was and how He showed Himself to be the Son of God. Reading the word of God will change your life because no man ever spoke like this man – Jesus.

And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” (Genesis 2:18)

Social Distancing Is Not God’s Plan

The year 2020 will be defined by two things: COVID-19 and Social Distancing. In the face of the viral onslaught brought on by the coronavirus, a social distancing is defining the cultural reaction to combat this terrible disease. Social distancing is a plan to help lessen the spread of the virus. The Center for Disease Control suggests “to stop the spread of coronavirus, health and government officials recommend avoiding large gatherings and maintaining a distance of 6 feet from other people. This reduces the chance of contact with those knowingly or unknowingly carrying the infection.” Social distancing has become an effective tool to help combat this worldwide pandemic and should be in place as a practical means of limiting the impact of the virus. There is no doubt this simple act of spacing can be an effective deterrent against the spread of the disease.

As a result of social distancing, many businesses have been shut down where it was common for people to gather like restaurants, theme parks, retail stores and beauty shops, and barbershops. Weddings have been pared down or postponed as well as funerals curtailed or canceled. Churches throughout the land have closed their doors. Some states have mandated a “stay-at-home” order with many others imploring people to voluntarily remain at home. Families are unable to gather together. Beaches, parks and recreational facilities are empty. The world has gone inside behind closed doors. It is hoped these actions will lessen the impact of the coronavirus and for all practical purposes, it seems to work. However, one side effect of these procedures is a reminder that social distancing is not the original design of God.

What has made social distancing difficult is the inability to interact with others. When God created man, there was incompleteness to the nature of man. The great Creator viewed man as a creature that needed a comparable being to make him whole. This could not be found in the animals as God brought the creatures to Adam to name but still, there was no helper just right for him. When God formed the woman from the side of Adam, the man realized the creation standing before him was taken from him and Adam said, “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!” The union of the man and woman was the divine will of God for man to not be alone. Creating the woman, God formed the foundation of the home as one man and one woman from whence the world would be filled with the creation of God.

Nations would come following the flood when the Lord God scattered the people all over the world, as the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way, he scattered them all over the world. A bonding took place as each language became a nation and a people and societies began to prosper throughout the world. Allegiances would form across national divides uniting groups of people together as one. One of the core elements of society is the embracing of families together to form communities which in turn build nations. Social companionship is the hallmark of any prosperous nation. Uniting the populace together as one brings a spirit of unity with a common purpose and design. The impact of social distancing has gone counter to these long-held practices and has been a difficult element to accept.

It is agreed for the time social distancing must be practiced as a means to deal with the threat of coronavirus but it has not been easy. For the people of God, a long-held assumed practice of gathering together has been taken away. How many have realized the assembly as a blessing now that it is difficult to gather together, shake hands, hug, embrace and enjoy the fellowship of other people in the community of the church? The word fellowship is the relationship shared by kindred spirits in the spiritual feast of communion with those of like precious faith as they worship God together. Social distancing has removed the joy of fellowship and is not the plan of God. It serves a good purpose for the time but God wants His people to be together to build one another up in the most holy faith, exhort one another while it is called today, abound more and more in brotherly love, consider one another in order to stir up love and good works and to share in the communion of the blood of Christ.

During this present distress, social distancing is the right thing to do. Saints of God must fervently pray this disease will pass and lives will be spared. Incumbent upon everyone is the need to lessen the impact of the virus so that the saints of God can return to the divine plan of God to be together. Let all the hearts of the righteous lift prayers daily for the end of this virus that God may be glorified as a people united together showing the world an example of truth, righteousness, and love. Lord come quickly.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8)

Social Distancing Does Not Apply To Our Relationship With God

During these trying times of the COVID-19 virus, one of the most effective means has become a new buzz word called “social distancing.” To lessen the spread of coronavirus, health and government officials recommend avoiding large gatherings and maintaining a distance of 6 feet from other people. This reduces the chance of contact with those knowingly or unknowingly carrying the infection. While health experts are working frantically to find a cure for the virus and medical professionals are on the frontlines battling the increasing spread of the virus worldwide, individuals can help by keeping a distance from others as this is a highly contagious virus easily spread. This is sound wisdom and everyone should heed the warnings.

The COVID-19 virus has changed the world turning many things upside down from just a few weeks ago. Stores and businesses are closed, many people have lost jobs, frantic buyers are emptying out grocery shelves and communities are reeling from the loss of revenue from what was a normal way of life. It will be months before much of the economy and basic needs of the country are restored to a level of normality. Social distancing is an effective tool to combat the manner of the transmission of the disease. Historically this is a reason for many deaths such as the 1918 influenza pandemic (Spanish flu) that killed millions. When the practice of social distancing is used, the spread of this modern-day pandemic will at least curb the impact of the disease upon others.

There is solid evidence to prove the need for social distancing among the population but during this time of keeping a distance from others, it should be a time to draw nearer to God. Times of crisis should be defined by a deeper sense of reliance upon God. Epidemics are not new to the history of man. The patriarch Job said that life is full of trouble. What Job learned in his trials is that dependence on God was absolute and whether answers come or not, the Lord God still rules in the affairs of men. James makes it clear the greatest need of a man is to draw near to the presence of the Almighty. Drawing near to God will allow God to draw near to His child. There can be no social distancing with God.

During the time of home arrest, it would be a golden opportunity to reconnect as a family. Learn to read the Bible together, talk about God and the COVID-19 virus and the changing impact on the world, teach children to trust in the power of the Lord, learn to pray as a family again, and show neighbors kindness and love as people of God. Times of trouble should not be troubling times for the child of God. One of the great characteristics of God’s people is the example of faith during hard times. What others need to see in the spirit of the Christian is how closely they are drawn to God during times of crisis. Let the light of Christ shine in the lives of those who live for a higher calling. Encourage everyone to practice social distancing and pray that everyone will draw closer to God. He is the answer. The Lord has promised He will never leave and He will never forsake His people. No virus in the world will ever change that. Lord come quickly.

Now in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. (Matthew 14:25-32)

Faith Walking On The Water

Peter was no stranger to challenges. Working alongside his brother, Andrew, Simon was a fisherman like his father. The life of a Galilean fisherman was hard, arduous and at times, dangerous work. Trying to eke out a living on the sea would not make many men rich but it did provide an income to care for a family. The Sea of Galilee was the life bread of Israel as the largest fresh body of water. Less than twenty miles in length, it has served the people of the region for centuries. Jesus traveled on several occasions on and around the sea. Following the feeding of the multitudes numbered more than five thousand, Jesus sends His disciples to the other side of the sea. Sometime between three o’clock and six o’clock in the morning, the Lord approached the ship walking on the water. At first, the disciples were troubled by his appearing but Jesus assured them it was Him and there was nothing to fear. Peter impetuously begged the Lord to allow him to walk on the water and Jesus agreed.

The boat was in a storm characteristic of the sudden burst of winds that would quickly descend from the east bank of the sea. Peter showed great faith to step out of the boat amid the squall and begin walking toward Jesus. It would have been an incredible feeling to walk on the water. The other eleven disciples watched in disbelief at what Peter was doing. No man had ever seen another man walk on water and yet before the eyes of the eleven disciples in the boat, two men were walking towards one another on the water. Everything seemed fine until a change took place. The wind did not die down nor do the waves begin to calm. Jesus was still standing on the water and for the moment Peter was walking on the tops of the waves. It was not until Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and began to realize what was going on around him that fear crept into his heart. When he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was terrified and began to sink. He cried out to the Lord to save him. Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him. Peter’s faith had waned at the critical moment and doubt destroyed his focus.

The miracle of Jesus and Peter walking on the water testifies to the incredible power of God. Two men walking on the top of the water was done by the finger of God. As long as Peter kept his focus on Jesus, he had nothing to fear. The wind was strong billowing hard against the seasoned fisherman. Water lapped high around Peter as he stepped through the water. At first, there was nothing to fear because Peter was doing what Jesus was doing. The storm did not deter the faith of Peter. All was peace within Peter because while the storm raged around him, he trusted in the power of God. Strong faith is required to believe in the impossible and Peter was doing the impossible. When faith began to weaken and the heart of Peter began to assess the fury of the storm around him, he forgot who was walking on the water first. Jesus came walking on the water to show that nothing on earth should deter the faith of the godly. If the Son of God can walk on water, so can His disciples. It requires faith in the time of storm.

Life is like the Sea of Galilee. It is not very long and often not very deep in its impact on the soul of a person. When storms suddenly appear and life is being tossed about, the last thing that comes to mind is asking Jesus if it is possible to walk on water. Peter could have remained in the boat and Jesus would have joined them. Eleven men did not have the faith to step out of the boat. One man made the bold decision to do the impossible. When Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water. Only when he lost sight of Jesus did the brave disciple begin to sink. It would take the hand of Jesus to restore Peter as they walked together to the boat. Security is found in walking on the water with the hand of Jesus.

COVID-19 is quite a tempest on the sea of life as it has disrupted life on so many levels it is difficult to assess the full impact. Needless to say, there are fear, concern, anxiety, and doubts. Sailing the waters of life can be on crystal clear days of bright sunshine or dark stormy nights filled with raging seas and violent winds. Jesus walks on both kinds of water. It was not a miracle that Jesus walked on stormy seas. He could have done that when the sea was calm. Jesus walking on the water was showing that walking through life is done by walking and trusting in the power of God regardless of the storm. Peter walked on the water when he did not fear the storm. Life brings heartache, suffering, and misery. The pandemic of 2020 should be a time to draw a clear focus back to God and remind men that perfect vision is found in Jesus.

As the year 2020 began, many were looking forward to the year as a time of focus and vision towards a greater future. When the impact of the virus will end is hard to say. This is a time to be reminded of how Peter lost his focus and began to sink. There are serious concerns for the virus and every effort must be made to be proactive in guarding against the insidious assault upon our world. During this storm, the saints of God who trust in Him, look to Him for faith, plead to the Father for relief and enjoy a peace that passes understanding will be seen walking on the water. Jesus walked on water so His disciples could walk on water. Have the courage to step out of the boat when others insist they must remain afraid in the boat and walk to Jesus. He will walk with you and you will have no fear. Keep your eyes upon Jesus.

In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. (Psalm 31:1)

I Put My Trust

Before 1448, the Bible had no division of verses. For nearly twelve-hundred years, the Bible was one complete unit with the only divisions by books. The Bible was first divided into chapters by Stephen Langton around the year 1228. Two hundred years later, a man by the name of R. Nathan divided the Old Testament into verses in 1448 and Robert Stephanus divided the New Testament into verses one hundred years later around 1551. The entire Bible divided into chapters and verses first appeared in the Geneva Bible of 1560. One of the remarkable thumbprints of God in the revelation of God’s word in the printed form is found in the verse divisions of the complete Bible. Psalm 118:8 is the middle verse of the Bible which says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” The need for trust is the center of the word of God and is central to understanding the character, purpose, and will of the Lord.

Trust is the faith and conviction of a thing which does not require full understanding or knowledge. Boarding an aircraft requires an immense amount of trust that all things will be per the designs, functions, and purpose of every part of the aircraft including the persons engaging the mechanisms of the machine. Knowing the scientific analysis of lift, weight, thrust, and drag is not required to fly as a passenger. Understanding the torque of an engine with incoming air into a tube where the air is compressed, mixed with fuel, burned, and exhausted at high speed to generate thrust is not necessary to fly from one city to the next. Trust is the corporate logo of inviting a group of people to enter a silver bullet to fly at thousands of feet for long distances and landing safely. The object of trust is the person desires to go from point A to point B and has measured confidence in all the factors involved in getting them safely to their destination.

Understanding how planes fly will not compare to the kind of trust required of man in his relationship with God. Few, if any, would question the airplane pilot, mechanic or engineer who designed the machine when they travel and if an event happens (like turbulence), while there may be justified fear and concern, there remains a level of trust the pilots will make the right decisions to help everyone come through the storm safely. When life makes a right turn and everything seems upside down, why do men not trust in the One who made the world, rules the world and declares His glory in the world? Life has a way of going haywire and there are dark clouds that gather on the horizon. Fear and dread enter the hearts of the unprepared. Doubts begin to fill the mind. Panic begins to seize the spirit. The world is changed.

David understood the uncertainty of life and how easily things can change quickly. His psalm to the Chief Musician of Psalm 31 is a full testimony to the word trust. The book of Psalms contains the most references to trust than any other book of the Bible. With no more than five hundred words, David declares the need for men to put their trust in God and their rock and fortress. God is a rock of refuge and a fortress of defense. There can be no value to human wisdom (like idols) but rather trusting in the Lord alone. Peace comes when men trust God as the Lord will place their feet in a wide pace securely giving them security in a time of need. David declares his fears as his eye wastes away with grief and his years were filled with sighing. His strength failed because of his sin and his bones wasted away. The son of Jesse knew that the flesh was frail but he trusted in the Lord and proclaimed the Lord was his God. The goodness of the Lord is great and is given to all those who will fear him and trust Him. The Lord preserves the faithful.

Fear can fill the heart in uncertain times. The impact of the COVID-19 virus upon the world is without precedence in modern time. Children of God must remember that while life has changed and become uncertain, God has not changed and He is still the great God He has always been. The key to the life of the faithful is to trust in the Lord with all the heart, soul and mind and never doubting that God remains supreme. Is there a message of Psalm 118:8 being the center verse of the Bible? Trust is the need of the hour. It is uncertain how this virus will change the world. Sadly, it has taken many lives and the families impacted will never be the same. Economies around the world are strained at the impact of what this virus has done. Let us liken this journey to an airline flight. Trust knows that whether we can understand everything about the why, when, how long or long-lasting effects, God will take us to our place of safety because He rules in the affairs of the world. If children of God die from this virus they are blessed to see His face. Jesus taught that life is not about the things of this life. The material possessions do not save us or define us. The character of trust is found in the voice of the faithful who trust in God, rely upon His mercy and grace and show others their faith in the face of this great trial.

Francis of Sales wrote, “Everyone knows how to be resigned amid the joys and happiness of prosperity, but to be so amid storms and tempests is peculiar to the children of God.” (Consoling Thoughts of, ed. Huguet; 1567-1622). David summed it up: “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)

God’s Plan For Homebound

Americans have become accustomed to the expansive culture of social interaction whether through electronics or the constant pursuit of entertainment, recreation and nonstop schedules of ball games, movies, vacations and such like. The nuclear society has disintegrated into a hectic world of work, isolationism from neighbors, limited family interaction and social distancing before the term became defined with a virus. Vance Havner correctly observed the automobile took the family into the world and television has brought the world into the home. The days of “Father Knows Best” are gone. Families rarely have meals together. Couples and parents work long hours. The children go to baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, piano, horse backing riding, theatre and a myriad of practices and then fill the calendar with endless games and programs as they pass in the night their parents. Lock-key parenting is a common practice where children come home to an empty house devoid of parental guidance.

The world changed when a virus infected thousands and governments began a program of isolating groups to stem the tide of the disease. One of the great changes that have taken place is the need for families to remain in place – homebound. Parents and children have to spend time together locked in the same house. Travel is restricted, activities canceled and homes have become the bastions of the long-forgotten art of: family. For many, it is a strange and new world. They recognize the faces sitting across the table as members of the family identified by pictures hanging on the walls. Parents are having to reconnect with their children. The transition is fraught with danger and panic. Many homes are ill-equipped. Thankfully there is access to the internet and televisions, tablets and computers glow 24-hours a day with zombies dwelling as worshippers before them giving honor to the electronic gods of mindless entertainment.

God has had a plan for the home since He expelled Adam and Eve from the garden. He created the man and woman to fill the earth. The family was established in the garden and the home was established upon the principles of God’s word and His will. Through the procreation of children the world was filled but sadly what was lacking was what made the family strong. Lost in the carnal pursuits of frivolity was the home where God was the center of its formation. When God gave the law to the Hebrews, He outlined the design of the godly home as a place where the knowledge of God was central. Children must be taught to love the Lord God with all their hearts. The instruction came from the voice of parents instilling in their families the godly principles of righteousness and truth. Diligence was required to teach the family the word of God. The divine plan for the home-bound was to learn to love the Lord God with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength. This would require and demand parents who would commit themselves wholeheartedly to the commands of God.

An important key to the home is that God’s word must be repeated constantly in the hearing of the family. The Lord tells the parents to repeat them again and again to their children. Talk about them when they are at home and when they are on the road, when they are going to bed and when they are getting up. Place reminders of the law of God throughout the home. God’s plan for the home-bound was to instruct the family in the ways of the Lord. Whether in required isolation or when the crisis passes and the home is free to travel about, God’s word must be at the center of the home. Being bound to the home is a good thing when used properly. It may become a time when families reconnect with one another. Most importantly it must be a time when families connect with God.

I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is. (1 Corinthians 7:26)

The Present Distress

The world is living in an incredible time of change. There has not been this kind of global impact since the depression during the 1930s that put the world economy into an economic depression. The COVID-19 virus began innocuously enough in the minds of most people but has become a health pandemic and economic nightmare. Leaders of all nations are scrambling to tighten controls on the spread of the virus that has claimed many lives. The church has had to reassess its procedures in a manner unprecedented in the lives of all of God’s people. What was a common sight of saints gathering together to exhort, encourage and admonish one another is now considered a threat to the health of those susceptible to the ravages of the disease.

There can be no doubt the church is living in perilous times. This is not the first time the church has come under attack from sources that will change the makeup and outlook of the kingdom of God. In Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth he offers advice to the people of God regarding marital decisions in a time of great distress. The church had written to Paul with concerns about marriage and relationships between men and women. Paul confirmed the will of God by showing that nothing had changed in the mind of God regarding the marriage vow and that the people of God should exert every effort to honor the Lord in their marriage. Nestled within the instructions of how to obey the word of the Lord, the apostle makes a suggestion that seems to point to advising people to remain as they are because of a distress that was afflicting the church. Paul realized that because of the time that it would be prudent for some to remain as they are and this instruction was merely a means of advice that would better serve the situation. He did not suggest this would be a binding law of celibacy. His advice was simply to try and make lives a little easier for those who were enduring the suffering that was coming against the church. Because of the distress, wisdom would dictate to make different decisions that would not normally be advised. All of this pointed to the present distress.

There is a great similarity with the advice of Paul and the very real present distress that is coming against the norms of the worship, ministry, and work of the church. Things are not the same with churches having to cancel services unable to meet together with larger groups for the foreseeable future. This is very unsettling and causing concern. It has been taken for granted the joys of assembly and the personal fellowship of greeting one another. What was the norm has now become a rarity. The leaders of government and health organizations are warning against more than ten or fifty people meeting together flying in the face of what the church has been doing for two thousand years. The early church met regularly as a people united in the work of the Lord and that is now threatened. No one would have imagined the year 2020 would be marred by the upheaval of a single virus impacting the church worldwide.

The present distress brings about change. Paul gave his advice on the distress his fellow Christians were living through and today there must be sound judgment and merciful kindness to all involved in this tragedy. Every congregation is autonomous in the decisions they must make in the situation they find themselves in their communities. There are no right answers that are imposed upon every church. Each group must make a decision that comes from their circumstance, need and impact of the virus on their community. One of the concerns for the New Testament church is the partaking of the Lord’s Supper. Many churches have taken proactive means to ensure people are comfortable in how the supper is conducted. Questions have been raised about churches canceling services and families having worship at home. This is a perilous time and changes have been in place that requires other means to worship. Strong arguments have been made in the past against those who denied the nature of the assembled church to engage in the work of the Lord but this is distress that has temporarily retooled the manner the church carries out its work. What churches are doing now is not going to be the norm. It is the fervent prayer of all the faithful the days of this virus will pass and the church will once again be able to return to the pattern of the New Testament. Until that time and because of the present distress, some decisions are made that are in the best interest of the members of the local church guided by the decisions of godly men who still serve the purpose of the church.

Paul sought to deflect any harsh judgments against a man who decided in the distress of the Corinthians to remain as he was. This same attitude must pervade the hearts of God’s people to realize that everyone is trying to do the best they can in very uncertain and quite honestly fearful times. How large this virus will impact the world is unknown. What is known is there is a real concern for the health of many and the economic impact will last for years. May God’s people continue to shine as examples of faith in the God that promised that He would never leave nor forsake His people. God still rules and He still loves His people. Trust in the Lord. The Lord is our strength and our song; He will give victory whether in life or death.