Columnist note from L. Agnes Russell: The Rev. Larry Reed, Pastor of Bartholomew Baptist Church of Newton, wrote this week’s column. I read something he wrote for Facebook, as he does so often, and I felt impressed to ask him to write something along those lines for our readers this week.
Whew…It is so much. So much anger, bitterness, and contention. So much sickness, sorrow, and death. So much anxiety, hopelessness, and fear. Different groups, with their different issues, their different intents, and their differing views clamor for attention, claiming to have the solution, calling whosoever will to join their cause. Sin is in, right is wrong, God is more greatly ignored, and every man doing whatever seems right in his own eyes, even if it destroys others’ lives. Whew…It is so much.
So what do you do? Where do you go? Who do you turn to?
Many are just doing what they know. Running here and yon seeking amusement to take their minds off of the mess of this message. Most are hoping that at some point, stuff will just go back to the way it was. There are those who have become apathetic to it all, sick and tired of the fussing, fighting, and finger pointing. Worn out by all of the wrangling and jangling, they have just zoned out, like a living zombie.
As Paul warned, these are perilous times, for sure.
As a pastor, preacher, husband, father, son, friend, and human, I get weary with all of the goings on, myself.
And the Spirit reminds me of the wisdom and words of Psalms 61:1-4. “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of Thy wings. Selah.”
When I am overwhelmed, I find myself praying. Praying to the One who sits high and is ever looking low watching over HIS people, ever ready to respond to their cry, ever ready to show HIMSELF strong on their behalf.
How marvelous it is in a world that’s sinking in sin, to be able to lift up our eyes unto the hills and call on the Lord from whence our help comes, understanding HE is above it all, with omniscient knowledge of it all, omnipotent power to change it all, and in HIS omnipresence, HIS eyes are everywhere beholding it all, buoying all of HIS people wherever they may be, no matter what they may be going through.
And when HIS children call, HE answers. HE answers with strength, restoring our souls, giving us more grace to keep running the race HE set before us. HE answers with wisdom, guiding us in the path that’s right because we bear HIS name. HE answers by changing situations that we face for us that we may endure, or HE answers by changing us for the situations we face to help us overcome. HE answers by reminding us who we are to HIM, reminding us of HIS purpose for our being. HE answers by reminding us that trials are not given to destroy us, but allowed to develop us in HIM, giving us opportunity to shine for HIS glory. HE answers by reminding us that HE is with us, for us, in us. HE answers by reminding us of HIS great love demonstrated through Christ’s sacrifice. HE answers by reminding us that this world is not our home.
His reminders strengthen my resolve.
In the midst of the painful pandemic, I resolve to respect HIS judgment, to fear not, but pray and walk by faith, following HIS leading, trusting in HIS power to keep me, and be light in darkness, salt in decay, to point the way to HIM.
In the midst of such a poisonous, partisan political culture, I resolve to seek the Spirit’s leading, the truth’s guidance, to respect others’ right to their views, to love them despite seeing things differently, and never to look to lean on politics or politicians to be a false god to save me, but to pray for those in leadership that God would save, guide, and use them for HIS glory to HIS people’s good.
In the midst of war, I resolve to be an advocate of peace, to pray for our soldiers that their righteous work be successful and their wellbeing be safeguarded, lifting up and encouraging their families for their sacrifice, and for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to be granted to those that send them in harm’s way.
In the midst of the suffering of many, by natural or manmade disaster, or by poor choices, I resolve to be a blessing by prayer, physical participation, monetary donation, godly guidance, or otherwise as led of God.
In the midst of increasing lawlessness, I resolve to keep preaching Jesus and HIM crucified, buried, and risen again. I resolve to not be ashamed of the ONE who was not ashamed to take my cross and my sin and lay down HIS life that I might live. I resolve to preach HIM, teach HIM, reach for HIM till that day I see HIS face.
In the midst of trials and tribulation, I resolve to endure with faith, hope, love and thanksgiving to HIS honor, knowing this too shall pass and being reminded of how HE suffered and endured for me.
How are you coping? I pray that you believe Jesus is Lord, that you have repented of your sin, and given yourself to HIM. I pray that you keep praying, for God answers prayer. I pray whether you are up, down, or almost level to the ground that you keep earnestly seeking HIM, standing firm in faith on HIS truth, serving HIM by serving your fellowman with gladness, knowing you are safe and secure in HIS arms.
You were created to do more than just cope. You are anointed to endure hard things. You were created in HIM to conquer for HIM. Despite all of the negativity of this time, there positively is so much love and life that HE has for you, now and forever. Pray and press on to do HIS will. Jesus came in the midst of perilous times, and HE triumphed gloriously.
HE came before us, to make the crooked places straight: to break in pieces the gates of brass and cut in sunder the bars of iron. And made a promise, “And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.” (Isaiah 45:2-3) HE hath done all things well. Whew! There is so much to HIM, unfathomable wisdom, amazing grace, knowledge, unsearchable, incomparable love. What a God!”
Live for Jesus! He’s coming soon! You may contact me at lagnesrussell@gmail.com or 601-635-3282.
