Divine Care

Divine Care

We are all a divine work of art. We are not like a sketch created by a child, but a creation of art done over our lifetime. Have you ever imagined yourself as a divine work of art? Who are you? What are you becoming? Who is the creator of your divine work of Art? In his book on “Problem of Pain”, C. S. Lewis says not metaphorically but in truth God is molding our hearts and minds to become a certain character. It is when we turn to Christ, when we give ourselves completely to Him, we begin to have our own true character. From the time of Adam and Eve we live in a fallen world and there is a never ending battle between good and evil being waged within us that extends to all of humankind all over the world. The famous theologian Jonathan Edwards says, “The strength of a good soldier of Jesus Christ appears in nothing more than in steadfastly maintaining the holy calm, meekness, sweetness and benevolence of his mind, amidst all the storms, injuries, strange behavior and surprising acts and events of this evil and unreasonable world.” Here this theologian succinctly says the character that we should strive for is holy calm, meekness, sweetness, and benevolence of mind.

Our lives can get messy. We may not always know what life has in store for us tomorrow or five years down the line. How do we step forward with confidence in this uncertain world? We do so because of the blessed assurance of God’s unconditional love for us. The Psalm 137 is a poignant reminder of how the Israelites felt in captivity in Babylon. It is to these broken people that in Isaiah 49:15-16 the prophet asks, “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast? Can she have no compassion for the child she has borne?” God’s love for us is greater than the love of a mother for the child she bore. Jesus wounded hands, remind us of the verse the prophet goes on to say, He has engraved us on the palm of his hands. We look at the nail pierced hands as it reaches out to all of us captive and free, big and small, rich and poor, young and old. Jesus said that God knows what we need. If we come to Him in prayer. He will give, just as parents give to their children (Matthew 7:7-12). We believe in a God who is loving, trustworthy, faithful, and powerful. All things are ultimately ordered and governed by God towards a divine purpose and plan (Romans 8:28). A God who is still on his throne. God has given us free will to make our own choices. He works with our good or evil deeds to make them all a part of His divine purpose and plan for His kingdom. We come to God with open empty hands to transform our hearts and make them into his gracious likeness.

Isn’t it amazing that God sent his only begotten son into this world when it was embroiled in turmoil and violence. The prophets foretold it; the faithful were anxiously awaiting it. God over the centuries prepared the nations for the coming of the Messiah.  To a chosen few God sent His angels to proclaim the Good news. At the time Christ was born, there was great joy in the hearts of those who understood the importance of his birth. It was the coming of the Messiah, the Son of God. Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 7:14) and said that a virgin would conceive and give birth to a son, and He would be called “Immanuel”. Immanuel means “God with us”. Jesus said, God gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him will have everlasting life (John 3:16). What a price Jesus had to pay to give us this gracious gift of eternal life. He suffered and died one of the cruelest and gruesome deaths nailed to the cross disgraced like a criminal. But he did so willingly and fully sure that, only through his death and resurrection can we all have the gift of eternal life. Do you struggle with the problem of pain and death? God molds us through our suffering and pain to become something that is in conflict with our natural selves. God refines us through periods of suffering to become an imitation of Christ himself. God’s divine care and mercy is so deep it is beyond our human understanding.

Jesus‘s birth has been shrouded in mystery.  It never ceases to amaze us, that if we look at the birth and life of Jesus, it is awesome that God chose Mary an ordinary young girl and Joseph a humble poor carpenter to be the parents of his son Jesus. When Mary told her fiancé Joseph that she was carrying a child, he was flabbergasted. He may have wondered what a mess their lives had become. His natural instinct was to question whose child it was? Seeing Joseph’s dilemma God sent an angel in a dream (Matthew 1:20) to instruct him to take Mary as his wife. The angel proclaimed that Mary was carrying the Messiah. If God had not intervened at that right time, would Joseph have abandoned Mary? She may have been stoned to death as required by the Jewish law for conceiving a child outside wedlock. Yet we see a man of good character, listen to the angel and obey God’s will no matter what the consequences. The holy couple were under the divine care of God who works for the good of those who love him and follow him.

God’s Son was born in a stable; the poorest and maybe even the dirtiest place for the Messaiah to be born. The Savior of the world was placed in a lowly manger, a crib for feeding cattle. God chose to reveal the Good news to poor shepherds who were awake with their flock at night. The poorest of the community of believers, often considered as out casts and unclean, came rejoicing to welcome and worship the Savior. Their presence and message of joy from the angel, welcoming the Messiah must have filled Mary’s heart with great joy that God had sent these men to welcome her child when there was no family or friends around to witness his birth. Wasn’t this an affirmation that God did not care whether you were a poor shepherd from the fields nearby or a wise man from the Far East, the good-news was for the whole world. They were under the divine care of God who surprised them with joy with two entirely different types of visitors.

Mary and Joseph lived at a time when Roman rule was heavily resting upon the Jews. Although Herod was their king, they were still overshadowed by the presence of Romans all over the kingdom. It was a difficult time in their history when they did not have any independence. Herod was quite a tyrannical ruler and levied a heavy burden of tax upon the people. Further when he heard that a King had been born in Bethlehem he was overcome with jealousy. He even tried to find out the whereabouts of the child from the wise men (Matthew2:1-12). Although he feigned a desire to worship the child, he in actuality wanted to have Him killed. The wisemen were overjoyed when they finally found the baby Jesus and they gave him treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The holy couple were under the divine care of a God who showered them with blessings and protected them from the evil shadow of death cast by Herod.

At the time of Christ’s birth there was great joy, but also great tragedy. When Herod realized that the wise men had left without informing him where the child was, he decreed that all boys below the age of two be put to death in Bethlehem and its vicinity. The whole of Bethlehem was thrown into chaos and confusion as Jewish parents lost their babies and young children due to the birth of the Messiah. In midst of these dangerous times, an angel of the Lord appeared before Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt (Matthew 2:13-23). Joseph took his family to find refuge in Egypt, the same country that the Israelites had fled from thousands of years earlier. Here again God’s hand led them from the dangers of the tyranny of Herod to safety. When Herod died an angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph and told him to return to Nazareth in Israel. They were under the divine care of a God who brought them safely back to Israel.

Does God really care? There are so many times we feel empty and forgotten, by family and friends. God seems so far away. If we open the eyes of our hearts, we see God is by our side, he watches over us, he knows our needs, and discerns our thoughts. Do you find life a struggle? Are you pessimistic about your future? God will help us and protect us in times of trouble (Psalm 115:9-11). We build our faith, hope and love for God praising Him through all the twists and turns in our life (Psalm 115:18). Let us continue to live in hope to see fresh revelations of God’s kindness, goodness and mercy. Our life today in reality is only the beginning to God’s divine plan to give us eternal life, where there will be no evil, sickness or death. In Psalm 115:14 the Psalmists says the Lord assures us that he will richly bless us and our children. What an amazing promise to build our faith.  God has entrusted our children into our care, and we have a responsibility to love them, nourish them, and ensure that they are well prepared to face the world when they grow up. It is in nurturing and raising our children do we begin to understand how much God loves us and cares for us. They are the works of our hands upon whom the favor of the Lord rests (Psalm 90:17). God our Father will guide and help us and this is the promise we pass on to our children and grandchildren. Jesus said that to those who ask He will generously give the Holy Spirit to be a source of comfort and strength to all of us through out our earthly lives. Let us cast all our care and anxieties in Gods hands just as Mary and Joseph did when Jesus was born, for God’s love for us is marvelous and his care for us is divine.

Watching and Waiting

There are many of us who have sensed a void in our hearts, especially during very frustrating and infuriating times in our lives. The dimensions of this emptiness, when we are left to wait all alone, are so wide and deep that they cannot be measured. It is a spiritual emptiness that nothing that this world has to offer can fill. Have you sensed fruitlessness, worthlessness, deprivation, or abandonment that exposes a void deep within you?

The Killer in the Amish settlement had crammed himself with much hatred and anger over the years. He responded with violence and murder. The path of violence results only in more violence. The only thing that darkness cannot oppose is light. The only thing that will overcome hatred and anger is love.The best way to deal with emptiness is to fill it with the presence of God and with activities that will draw us nearer to His presence. If we can recognize this emptiness as a longing or thirst for the Spirit of Christ, then we will no longer feel empty. As we pray, reflect, and study God’s word our emptiness is slowly filled with God’s presence. When we discipline ourselves to do so regularly we begin to sense a joy and love for life that we did not have before. If we invite the Spirit of Christ to dwell within us, we will find ourselves brimming with love, joy, patience, hope, and peace.

Zachariah and Elizabeth had prayed earnestly for many years for a child. They were both descendants of priestly families. They were considered to be righteous in the eyes of God, as they had been faithful and sincere in following every regulation of the Jewish law. Why they were not blessed with children is puzzling. For many years they had endured the pain and disgrace within the community of Elizabeth being barren and had reached the point of no hope of ever having a child. When Zachariah went to the temple to serve his two weeks in the temple, hardly did he realize that it was going to be a life-changing experience. As the faithful gathered and watched the incense smoke that he burned rise heavenward as a sign of their prayers going up toward God, an angel of the Lord appeared before Zachariah in the inner most sanctuary. Zachariah was dumbstruck with an angelic vision of the good news that his wife Elizabeth would bear him a child.

In what had seemed like an unfavorable situation, God rewarded them with a child who was declared by Christ to be the greatest man born of a woman on earth (Luke 7:28). What the angel said brought great joy and cheer to hearts that had been waiting patiently. John was described as being filled with the Holy Spirit, with spiritual powers comparable to Elijah. He would herald the coming of the Messiah. Zachariah must have greatly rejoiced for he, as a faithful Jew, had also prayed for the coming of the Messiah. When Zachariah asked the angel for a sign, the angel said he would not be able to speak until the baby was born. Was Zachariah’s silence the sign that heralded the birth of his child? When Elizabeth delivered the baby, she rejoiced and said that God had shown them great favor and taken the disgrace she endured away from her. Their patient wait had led Elizabeth and Zachariah to receive one of the greatest honors in Christian history.

King David was anointed as King by Samuel when he was but a young boy. However he had to wait for many years before he became King. Davids psalms of prayer and praise have been a blessing to the faithful during their long period of waiting (Psalm 40, Psalm 23). He even had to endure the persecution from King Saul who tried many times to kill him. Patience is the ability to endure all kinds of hardships and monotonous situations until we are able to realize God’s purpose for our lives. The author of Ecclesiastes says there is a time and purpose for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We must accept the reality of the situation that just as it takes times to grow physically; it takes time to grow spiritually.

It is the hard and trying times in our lives that truly test what we are made off. It is these times that shape and mold us into responsible and experienced people. The bottom line is that we should not get annoyed or disappointed. Christ said that if we are patient we will gain our lives (Luke 21:19). What do we hope for? What do we love? What do we have faith in? What is it that occupies our thoughts? Where does our heart lie? St. Paul (1 Timothy 6:6-12) says in his letter to Timothy that we should not get snared by senseless and harmful desires that will destroy us. He encourages us to pursue righteousness, faith, love, patience and gentleness. It is when we fight the good fight of faith that we win the race of life. Paul says that if we emulate the attitude of Christ toward each other, then God will give us the patience and encouragement we need to live in harmony with each other (Romans 15:5-6).

To invite the Holy Spirit into our lives is likened to springs of living water that well up within us with a new burst of life. To those living in darkness it is light, to those who are lost it is to be found, to those who are poor it is to be rich, and to those who are sick to be well. He quenches our thirst and feeds our hunger to do God’s will. He changes and transforms us to be more like Christ. Christ said that we should surrender all our worries and anxieties into the hands of God. It is only when the Holy Spirit comes and fills up, and cleanses all the dark crevices in our lives that we begin to lose that empty feeling. In Christ we find forgiveness for our past blunders and mistakes (Colossians 1:9-14). He gives us a new vision of what He wants us to be. If we watch and wait, God will reveal His plan and purpose for our lives. Christ offers us a new life in Him (Matthew 16:24-26). As the popular hymn goes, near the cross I will watch and wait, hoping trusting ever, till I reach the golden strand, just beyond the river.

Outstretched Arms

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we had the opportunity to visit an Amish settlement. The first signs of our proximity to the Amish settlements were the traffic signs on the highways warning us to drive carefully because there may be horse buggies on the road. As the Amish do not drive motorized cars, even the local Walmart has a separate parking area for horse buggies. While asking for directions to the Amish settlements I was told by one of the girls in one of the local country inns that we were not to take any photographs of the Amish. The Amish do not take photographs of themselves as they are convinced that a photograph is the image of a man or women that may be idolized by them or others (Deuteronomy 4:15-31). The men have long beards, unusual hairstyles, and specially prescribed clothing. The women cover their heads with white prayer caps at all times. The Amish have only an eighth grade education and then go into farming or find a craft that can earn them a living serving the community. 

We visited a cheese factory where the cashier and the some of the staff were Amish. Later we visited a furniture store, run by the Amish, that had beautiful furniture and fittings (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). There were many references to Christ carved into their furniture and fixtures. For lunch, we ate at a restaurant and were served by an Amish lady. The countryside was full of lush green meadows and farmlands. The Amish through dedication, prudence, and perseverance, have excelled in the age old profession of farming. Their farmlands are some of the best, most productive, and highly priced in the country.

They value simplicity and self denial over comfort, convenience, and leisure. Their way of life deliberately separates them from the world, yet they maintain self sufficient lives. St. Paul says, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate (1 Corinthians 6:14-18).” Can they work for a boss who does not have the same values as they do? What does the Christian do when a person of another faith gets one of their own priests to bless the business in the name of another god?

When tragedy struck the Amish settlement in Pennsylvania their response was quick and effective. A killer walked into the Amish community school and shot six of their children.The Amish forgave the man who shot six of their children, and embraced his wife and children in their time of sorrow and tragedy. Moments before the killer committed these heinous crimes, he spoke extremely apologetically to his wife and said that he was overcome with hatred and anger toward God and mankind. The memories of a still born baby girl, and some deeds done through incest in his younger days, haunted him greatly throughout the last years of his life. The spiritual emptiness inside of him was so unbearable that he felt forced to commit these crimes. What makes a man so angry with life and toward God that he is driven to murder innocent children in broad daylight?

The Amish are a community of people who live humble lives of peace, order, and tranquility. Their faith and family are their cherished possessions. Their communities are so peaceful that they do not have police stations in their neighborhoods. Their faith lays great emphasis on practice of their beliefs. They clearly said that in a crisis like the one described above, they will not resort to violence. The Amish community live in fear of God’s judgment and wrath, for Jesus said, “That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (Fool), shall be in danger of the council (court): but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire (Matthew 5:22).”

What they hope is that the world at large will have a glimpse of the love of Christ in their peaceful and loving response. It is said that for the funeral of the killer there were more Amish than civilians. The families of the girls that were murdered invited the widow of the killer for their own children’s funeral. The money that was given for the assistance of the Amish families was shared with the widow of the killer. The Amish did not appear on television condemning anyone. The schoolroom that was the site of the murder was razed to the ground and a field has been set in its place.

Through their actions of forgiveness and reconciliation the Amish made peace with the killer, his family, the community, and the world at large. Their Christian witness stands out in a time when there is so much of unrest all over the world. The Amish look to the life (Philippians 2:5-8) and witness of their only advocate between God and humans, who is none other than Jesus (1 Timothy. 2:5, 1 John 2:1). By remembering the forgiveness that was so generously given to them at the cross, they were able to preserve their peace with God and the world at large. Although not quite understanding why the innocent had to die, they follow the gospel message of Christ to the world leaving the judgment in God’s hands (Deuteronomy 29:29). Here we see hearts full of love toward God and their fellow beings. The Amish strongly believe that they should embrace their enemies with outstretched arms of love. (Matthew 5:44).

The People’s New Testament Commentary describes the language of salvation in three dimensions (Romans 5:1-10). The first dimension is the past where we see Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross. The second dimension is the present where we experience this forgiveness and reconciliation to God through Christ. The third dimension is the future when we will all be saved through Christ from the wrath of God. The killer of the Amish children felt alienated from God. He was living in hostility toward God. He had no peace in his life. The Amish follow the path of reconciliation through suffering as shown by Christ, where they are able to preserve their state of Shalom (Colossians 1:20).

Paul goes on to say that life does not make any distinction between sinner and saint. We all have to learn to face our share of stress and adversities in life. He exhorts us to remember that Christ died for us even while we were in our state of sinfulness. He shows us that the purpose for our lives is to find this peace and joy that has been so freely given to us by the grace of God in Christ. If the Amish had stressed on their own emotions then they would have exalted their own selves and not Christ (Exodus 20:4). The Amish revealed the image of Christ in their lives by showing compassion, mercy, and forgiveness.

This ministry of reconciliation has been given to all of us as Christians to go out into the world and be reconciled with God and humans (2 Corinthians 5:18). To a chosen few are given the way of the cross through great suffering and hardships (Ephesians 2:16).

Turning Away

Today, countries and their leaders are living under the constant threat of a nuclear war. The greatest fear is that some terrorist faction will get hold of nuclear weapons. The tragedy is that if and when they do, they can use it as a bargaining tool. Nuclear power was a status symbol for the super powers in the sixties. Those were the days when there were a few countries that were safe from threat. Now this power has flowed into the hands of even developing countries like China, India, and Pakistan, and the scenarios have changed. When countries realize that they face a nuclear threat from one of their enemy nations they decide they too need to acquire nuclear weapons so that they will not be held to ransom. The only way out today to prevent a nuclear war is if countries can live in peace with one another. Countries should live as open societies so that they do not inflict harm on each other. The extent of the enmity between nations has boiled down to the possible destruction of the entire world or a large part of its resources. There is a close correlation to the end of the world and a nuclear war. There is not going to be much of a warning, only the signs as we see them now. Is it not time that countries stop making threats and wars, and find amicable solutions so we can avoid the possible destruction of a large part of human civilization. Why does there have to be so much of violence and hatred?

Greed, anger, lust, obsession, hatred, envy, and covetousness will eventually turn our hearts away from God. These same emotions can drive us to war, murder, rape, conspiracy, and other acts of violence. Eventually we find ourselves estranged from God and people. The root cause for terrorism according to some is deprivation of rights of one faction of people. The only way to address these issues is to compensate those who have been deprived in some way. When Mahatma Gandhi fought for freedom, he was very firm that he would achieve his goals through non-violence. Spurred by Gandhi’s example Martin Luther King Jr. also fought for equal rights for African-Americans through non-violence. Can declaring war on a faceless enemy bring about peace? Causes for the terrorist’s acts must be clearly identified and justice must be speedily brought about.

When Saul turned away from God’s commandments he lost favor with God and the prophet Samuel. David was anointed King while he was still a shepherd boy. When he ascended the throne of Israel, he started well as a king; his humility, courage, psalms, and loyalty were touching. David was described by Samuel as a man after God’s own heart. But in time pride, power, and prominence slowly crept into the heart of David. There are many lessons to be learned from these stories of strife and discord in the life of the family of David. He married many women and worse, overcome with lust David murdered one of his own men, who served in his army, in order to marry the wife. His reckless lifestyle caused much turbulence in his household. He had so many children that they started to fight amongst themselves. One of his own sons, Amnon, raped his half-sister Tamar. David did not bring Amnon to justice, thus angering his other son, Absalom. This in turn led to conspiracy and murder; Absalom, Tamar’s brother (II Samuel 13-19) murdered Amnon for his scandalous act. Why did David have so much trouble disciplining his own children?


Absalom slowly won the people over with his good looks, opulent lifestyle, keen interest in social justice, and effusive personality. His charisma was so overpowering that he stole the hearts of many of the people of Israel (II Samuel 15:1-6). Why did David allow Absalom to openly flaunt his lifestyle and campaign against David without reprimanding him? With the David’s permission Absalom went to Hebron to perform a religious ceremony to God, for bringing him back to Jerusalem after his exile for murder (II Samuel 15: 7-12). While he was performing this ritual he secretly sent messages to stir up a rebellion against his own father, David. David on the other hand truly believed that his own son would do him no harm, and gave him a lot of freedom. Nonetheless Absalom deceived David and tried to gain control over the throne. Did not his righteous behavior deceive David into thinking that his son was a God fearing person? Have you seen through the deceit of some of the religious and political leaders who cause more strife than peace? How many of us evaluate the real goals of our leaders? Are we so overcome by their charisma that we do not look any further than what we see on the outside?

David, who was leading a sedentary life, was forced to take charge of his army again. His lifestyle of deceit and immorality had overcome him and he could no longer function ably. Confronted with a conspiracy to kill him, he was forced to defend himself and all those who supported him. Joab was appointed as one of David’s generals to fight against Absalom. Joab was also a cousin of Absalom and a nephew of David. Joab and the other generals were expressly told to not harm Absalom. Although the others feared David’s command, Joab killed Absalom when he found him helplessly dangling from a tree. Here we see a man who set his own standards and did what he thought was right. This again is a dangerous position to be in. Being ingenious and having a fine expertise to win battles, without the proper direction from one’s superiors and advisors could have disastrous results.

Then we see an excessive show of emotion from David. He cried his heart out and made all those around feel terrible about their victory and guilty for something they felt they had done wrong. Often an obsessive love for one’s children causes us to ignore their insolent and defiant behavior. Nevertheless David comes to his senses when Joab, brought home to him the reality of the situation they were in.

We see that even among David’s own family members there was so much violence and hatred. Even though David was greatly blessed by God, he turned away from God after a while. He pursued his own evil desires and became embroiled in controversy, conspiracy, and murder. Yet the greatest credit can be given to this great king. When he was confronted by Nathan, a prophet, for his sin with Bathsheba he opened his eyes and had the humility to repent. Forgiveness from God filled him with great delight, but for the rest of his life he had to live with the cost of his transgressions. Is the grace we seek from God costly or cheap? It is this that God is searching for in our hearts – a willingness to repent and return to God. Do we learn from our blunders? It was this quality in David that gave him the honor of being the one after God’s heart (Acts 13:22). Do we follow God with only our words or are our hearts loyal to Him (Psalm 78:36-37)? It is from the royal family line of David that God brought Jesus the Messiah into the world.

Jesus referred to this in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24). When the prodigal son returned home and repented, he said to his Father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.” The father immediately called for a grand feast, making merry, and reinstating the position of the prodigal son. He said, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” The father and son relationship was restored. We see God as a loving father who reaches out and restores sinners immaterial of what their sins may have been. The father embraces the son in his state of nothingness, worthlessness, and emptiness and fills him with love, joy, and peace.

Flame of Faith

One of the joys of family gatherings is the recollection of old memories of growing together, sharing intimacy, learning new experiences, enduring hardships, and reliving our achievements. These occasions are important for families to meet and to honor one another, and their customs and traditions. From outdoor barbeques to indoor banquets, birthday parties to graduations, baptisms to marriages, we enjoy food, wine, games, music, and dance as we celebrate. The strangest thing is that this is how people have celebrated special occasions from time immemorial. This is what brings about continuity in family and values. Is it possible to continue these customs and celebrations in today’s world of nuclear families? Is it possible to integrate the light of our faith with these celebrations of life’s experiences in an era that seems to function less and less on faith? Wise parents plan for the future of their families’ spiritual nurturing and remember that it is God who leads us all the way.

 Abraham took his faith in God very seriously. When Sarah died he realized that it was time to arrange the marriage of his son, Isaac. Abraham was convinced that he did not want his son to marry a local Canaanite girl. He entrusted the task, of finding a suitable wife from his homeland in Mesopotamia, to his most reliable and the oldest man in charge of his household, Eliezer. Do you have a friend who will stay closer to you than your own kith and kin? Eliezer had lived his entire life with Abraham and had seen his blessed relationship with Sarah through its peaks and valleys. He was one of Abraham’s most faithful and trustworthy servants. 

 Abraham wanted Isaac to have a married life similar to the one he and Sarah had enjoyed for more than a hundred years. He wanted to ensure that his son would preserve the same faith and traditions that he and Sarah had lived by all their lives. He was sure that a woman from his native land would ensure that Isaac lived according to the faith of his forefathers. It is no surprise that when Moses instructed the Israelites on living a devout life, one crucial instruction was the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). This was later ratified by Jesus who said that to love God and one’s fellow beings are the two greatest commandments (Mathew 22:37-39). 

 Abraham was confident that the same God who had blessed him with a child would provide a wife for his son. “Jehovah Jireh - God will provide “ was the name that Abraham gave to the mountain that he had taken Isaac to be sacrificed. Abraham was absolutely sure that with God as his guide, Eliezer would accomplish the search for a bride. Eliezer’s prayer to God was, “Help me accomplish the purpose of my journey. (Genesis 24:12)” Have you ever prayed a prayer that went like that? Where better to look for a wife than near the watering well, where the herds of animals come to quench their thirst? Isaac being the wealthy owner of many cattle would certainly need a wife who could manage and understand cattle rearing. 

What Eliezer was searching for was not external beauty, but an inner beauty that would tide Isaac through his valleys. Eliezer subjected the young woman to a test on hospitality and prayed that God would lead him to the right woman (Proverbs 31:30). Scarcely had he finished praying than a very beautiful girl offered to draw water for him and all his camels to drink. Unable to believe that his search was coming quickly to its end, he asked her who her father was. When he realized Rebekah was an unmarried granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, he knew that she was the one. His first response was to thank and praise God for answering his prayer. Do you remember to thank God when He answers your prayers? Later, when Eliezer asked her if she would go with him immediately, she showed the same faith that Abraham did when God called him to move away from his native place, and willingly agreed saying, “Yes, I will go.” Eliezer’s journey ended well with Isaac falling in love with Rebekah and finding comfort in her after his mother’s death. 

Spiritual leadership in a family always plays a key role. Often strong traditional families have matriarchs and patriarchs who hold them together. They are the ones who bring stability and structure to the families. Over time, sometimes tragically, the relationships of the family changes, with death, disease, dissent, distinction, distrust, disapproval, disgust, divorce, division of will, disinheritance, disaster, displacement, or debilitation. These are times when younger generations or others in the family should step in and try to bring order back into the family. When Sarah died, Abraham was too old to travel to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. Eliezer stepped up to set out on the mission. 

When old traditions are not learned and remembered they are lost over time. Families stay together when there are clear lines of communication between the members. When spiritual leaders and parents speak to children often of the need to pray together and meet at family gatherings, over time these become part of the family heritage. Who knows? Tomorrow may be your turn to take care of your sick parent because of Parkinsonism, heart attack, cancer, or stroke. What they teach us today by way of example always comes handy as we grow older. It is those memories when remembered that bring life back into their aged bodies.  St. Paul when he wrote his letter to the Thessalonians he was aware of the pressures that society places on individuals, families and churches (2 Thessalonians 2:15). The pressures towards their Christian faith and worldly values. He encourages them to stand firm on the Christian traditions they were taught. To remember the light of Christ that shines in our hearts through his teachings on the importance of faith, hope and love.

Growing up in Christian families our parents expect us to marry Christian spouses from our community. Our parents hope that in time we will adopt the faith and traditions that they have followed, to ensure that from generation to generation we will be blessed by the presence of God in our lives. Do you recall any early encounters with your parents while they nurtured you in your faith? Some common ways in which families live faithful lives are by being part of a church or Sunday school, reading the Bible together, family prayers, singing hymns and songs of praise, and above all creating an environment of love in their homes. With the families spreading out all over the world there are so many new practices and celebrations that come into the family’s life. The need to integrate the past with celebrations of the present becomes crucial for the preservation of familial bonds. St. Paul says we are all fragile clay jars containing the spirit of Christ dwelling within us (2 Corinthians 4:5-10). We tell our loved ones what Christ has done in our fragile lives and how he has empowered us to hold fast to our faith through the hills and valleys of life.

If our children grow up in an environment where bad tempers, impatience, sulking, childishness, fault finding, grumbling, and ill nature are the norm, it is very easy for us to find ourselves swamped with similar behavior from them. Is your children’s only source of entertainment from some electronic media or do you spend time together as a family? Who are their role models? If we teach them to respect God and one another, and to care for one another’s needs, we can make them a source of blessing for many. What in the old days was called austerity, chastity, and prudence are now called self-discipline, self restraint, and self-control. Are these not some of the disciplines that we must teach our children to live by? If children are not raised by God fearing parents, it is less likely that they will desire a relationship with the Lord. Do you inculcate in them a desire for the fruit or gifts of the spirit? Or do they only crave for new age electronic games, movies, or music? When we raise our children to have faith, surety, respect, and responsibility toward God and humans, we help them develop strong characters. When we shape them to lead disciplined lives, we form them into lighthouses that others can see and aspire to be. 

Our lives are like candles with a flame burning at the end of it. One day we will all burn out. Yet our flame lives on if we have other candles to burn for us when we are gone. Such is our faith in God. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that follows after me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).” The passing on of the flame of faith from generation to generation unites us with God, our spiritual ancestors, our earthly ancestors, and all the others who become a part of our family over the centuries. St. John says, “And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not (John 1:5).” We live in hope of one day being together in Christ who is the eternal light, who said, “In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (John 14:2).”

Whale to Swallow

As the story goes, a pastor was on a ship from Chicago to London when they ran into some very severe turbulence. As it got worse, the passengers became more and more alarmed, and even the ship attendants began to look concerned. Finally, one of them noticed that the man of God had 'Rev.' in front of his name on the passenger list, came over to him, and said, “Sir, this is really frightening. Do you suppose you could, I don't know...do something religious?” So he took up a collection. 

 Do you know what to do when faced with a difficult situation? Do you see the streams of living water rushing through the lives of all classes and creeds of people as they live their lives as an expression of their faith in God? Sometimes we see our world becoming more violent and sometimes we see it at peace. But we all hope to see the day when we can live calm and content lives united in Christ. 

 Jonah was a prophet who lived during the time of King Amaziah (2 Kings 14:23-25). There are some today who doubt whether Jonah ever existed. His story seems to be very farfetched since it is difficult to imagine a person surviving in the stomach of a large fish. Was Jonah a coward? Was he really afraid to give the message to the people of Ninevah or was he just appalled that he had to give the message to one of his enemies? 

 Jonah was placed in a very difficult situation, one that would not have brought him any comfort or pleasure. The more he thought about himself, the less he wanted to do what God was calling him to do. When our focus shifts from what God wants us to do to what we want, or what our neighbor has, we get agitated and start to grumble or feel sorry for ourselves. 

 When Jonah turned away from what God wanted him to do, he found himself in a ship in turbulent waters. Ordinarily men of God are calm and content in these situations. However, Jonah was burdened with the guilt of having moved away from God. He admitted his guilt to his shipmates and asked to be thrown overboard. When he found himself in the stomach of a big fish, he began to desire the presence of God. His prayers were to seek and know God’s will. He prayed for forgiveness. God in His abundant mercy forgave Jonah and set him back on his mission to Ninevah. Do you do the same when faced with a situation that you lack wisdom or understanding for? Do you see God as your heavenly father? Do you confess your trespasses to God and to those you have wronged? 

 Jonah 3:4 & 5 Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “In Forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!” So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 

 Here we see God as one who loves both Jews and Gentiles, so much so that He asks Jonah to spread the message of repentance to the people of Ninevah. The fact is that if they repent God would forgive them. How many of us really pray for our enemies to be blessed or forgiven? How many of us readily confess our transgressions when we realize we have done something wrong? How many of us are ready to listen to God when He asks us to do something? 

 God said, "What's this? How is it that you can change your feelings from pleasure to anger overnight about a mere shade tree that you did nothing to get? You neither planted nor watered it. It grew up one night and died the next night. So, why can't I likewise change what I feel about Nineveh from anger to pleasure, this big city of more than 120,000 childlike people who don't yet know right from wrong (living in spiritual darkness), to say nothing of all the innocent animals? (Jonah 4:10-11) "

 We see God in a new light when He questions Jonah as to why He cannot delight in and take pleasure in the people of Ninevah. Scarcely had Jonah been rescued from the perilous sea, and successfully accomplished his mission, than he began to grumble and protest. Like the elder son of the prodigal son’s father, he was unhappy that God so easily forgave the people of Ninevah (Luke 15:11-31). Did Jesus not say,” I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”(Luke 5:32) 

 Does God have to prove his powers through miraculous signs to us humans? Did the Jews look upon Christ as a sorcerer or wizard? We see Christ as a loving and caring God, yet there were times in the life of Christ when he was harsh with his critics (Mathew 12:38-41).When some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you", He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” The sign that Christ was speaking about was that just as Jonah spent three days in the belly of a fish, so will Christ be buried in the heart of the earth for three days. He went on to say that even the people of Nineveh, who were lived in spiritual darkness, would stand up on judgment day and condemn those who do not repent when the gospel message is preached to them. 

 Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15: 14 & 19, that if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all people. This is our hope, that in Christ we inherit eternal life. Believers know that Christ is the resurrection and the life. For 2000 years Christians have followed in the way set for us by Christ. Just like Jonah preached to the Gentiles, we also have been invited to God’s table to share the joys of our new lives in Him. May Christ be our resurrection and life.

Oaks of Mamre

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: 

for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 

Hebrews 13:2 (King James Version)

The Bible takes us to probably a hot sunny afternoon in the life of Abraham when, as he was probably relaxing under the shades of the Oaks of Mamre, he sighted three weary travelers walking towards him. Being a man of faith he sensed God speaking to him through these three strangers. He showed the depth of his love through his hospitality to the strangers. Abraham washed the feet of the feet of the strangers, just like Christ did to the disciples before the last supper 2000 years later. Does Abraham’s hospitality later become a benchmark for the faithful to follow in his footsteps (Hebrews 13:2)? Did Abraham know that the strangers were angels? Or was it on later reflection that he realized that he had unwittingly entertained angels? Yet deep down in his heart was this longing to care for the strangers. Was it because he himself had been a stranger in many places and been recipient to the hospitality of kind souls? Or did the inhospitality of people like those in Sodom and Gomorrah generate in him a need to be kind and loving to strangers? 

 What did St. Paul mean when he said, Abraham is the father of us all (Romans 4:13-16)? God promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to all the nations (Genesis 12:2-3). Abraham’s righteousness was described as being based on his faith and not on the law. For the law only brings forth the wrath of God, while where there is faith there is no transgression. Thus to all who have faith in the God of Abraham the grace of God has been abundantly provided. God called Abraham even before he circumcised himself and his household. Rituals and ceremonies did not have precedence over his faith. They were just outward signs of his inward commitment. God looks at the heart of a person – is it the heart that longs to be close to the Lord and do His will?

 In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said that the Priest and the Levite, both men of God, passed the wounded traveler by. However, the Samaritan’s hospitality was commended, because he showed mercy toward the wounded traveler. Samaritans were considered to be enemies of the Jews, yet it was a Samaritan who tended to the wounds and paid for the lodging and care of the injured traveler (Luke 10: 29 – 37). Jesus said that it is on such as these that the favor of God is said to rest. There is a close correlation between the actions of the Samaritan and Abraham. They both acted expecting nothing in return. They acted although the people involved were strangers. It does not matter whether it was 4000 years ago or 2000 years ago or today, there are always people who are in need. We as Christians are called to do what we can to ease their burdens and provide for their needs. 

 Whatever the emotions may have been that were touching Abraham’s heart, he clearly saw God speaking to him through these strangers. Abraham was greatly blessed for his kind hospitality. The prophecy of the birth of a child was received with mixed emotions. These were the very words of assurance Abraham had been waiting for. Sarah laughed but denied it when questioned about her reason for doing so. Sarah’s denial was received disapprovingly. Fear of discovery has caused countless people to lie. Sarah too, human as she was, lied. Abraham on the other hand, was truthful about the reason for his laughter. For Abraham this was an affirmation of the promise given to him by God earlier in Genesis 17:7, following which he had circumcised all the males in his household including himself and Ishmael. So in his own spiritual realm he felt it was God that was speaking to him through these very strangers. Even though Abraham may have had his doubts (Genesis 17:17) about the promise of a son, he continued to obey God by doing exactly what was asked of him (Genesis 17). Have you found yourself laughing incredulously when you are led by God to do certain acts of faith? This faithful commitment to God made him one of the leading men of righteousness (Romans 4:3). 

 Abraham and Sarah had no children until the ripe old age of almost 100 years and there was very little likelihood of them bearing a child. Yet they stand under the Oaks of Mamre like shinning examples of strength and endurance. They were like Oak trees thriving in the house of God. Their trust was completely in the unfailing love of God forever and ever. We have to realize that God does not place a trial or difficulty that he thinks we cannot handle ourselves. We have to wait for God's mercy and time when He will fulfill His plan and purpose for our lives. The omnipotent power of God is revealed in the question that is posed to Abraham, “Is anything too hard for God?” (Genesis 18:14) This has been the basis for the faith of many who face impossible situations. 

 Who were the strangers? Were they angels? Was Christ one of them (Mathew 25:35-36)? The ability to hear the still small voice of God speaking separates us from the rest of the world. If we listen to God and His word, we can do that which is impossible in the eyes of humans, as all things are possible with God. However, like Sarah, if we doubt, we may never see God’s plan and purpose fulfilled in our lives. Jesus said "Everything is possible for him who believes. (Mark 9:23)" 

 Christ in the Stranger's Guise 

A Scottish Hospitality Prayer 

 I met a stranger yest're'een;

 I put food in the eating place, 

Drink in the drinking place, 

Music in the listening place; 

And, in the sacred name of the Triune, 

He blessed myself and my house. 

My cattle and my dear ones, 

 And the lark said in her song, 

 Often, often, often, 

Goes the Christ in the stanger's guise; 

 Often, often, often, 

Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise.

Tree of Knowledge

There are many myths surrounding the creation of humans. One such myth is about the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. A common misconception is that the forbidden fruit given to Eve by the serpent was an apple. It is more likely that the fruit was from the family of the pomegranates. After Eve gave a piece of the fruit to Adam, she changed her mind and tried to stop him from eating it. A piece of the apple got stuck in his throat. The prominent ‘Adam’s apple’ on some men remains as a reminder to many of the story of how Eve prevented Adam from eating the forbidden fruit. This is not a biblical story by any accounts, and is certainly the figment of the imagination of one of our forefathers. There is a medieval Christian legend that says that the Tree of Knowledge was the source of wood for the True Cross 

According to the Bible in the story on creation, God gave clear instructions that Adam and Eve were not to eat of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden. God’s intention was for them to live forever in the garden. Eating from the Tree of Life would have brought them immortality (Genesis 3:22). It is no surprise that all through history man has desired and searched for ways to be immortal. How many of us have wished Adam and Eve had not disobeyed God? This disastrous failure eventually resulted in God having to send us a Redeemer. What humankind lost in Adam did we not regain in Christ, the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)? Does not Revelation promise that to those who are victorious in Christ will eat of the Tree of Life in Paradise (Revelation 2:7)? 

 God told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the Tree of Knowledge they would die (Genesis 2:16–17). Was that not clear enough for them? The Tree of Knowledge can also be expanded to mean Knowledge of good and evil. Why did God say that this Tree of Knowledge is forbidden for Adam and Eve to eat? Why didn’t God tell Adam and Eve that Satan would try to tempt them to eat the fruit and that they should resist? Yet Adam probably watched Eve as she was tempted to eat the fruit and then he himself ate it, hoping that he would gain the wisdom that God had (Genesis 3:6). Can we blame only Eve for succumbing to the temptation when Adam was by her side and also ate when it was offered to him? The Bible says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Is it not ironic that Adam's first words to God expressed fear, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid...so I hid." Do you really think we can hide from God? 

 Why did Adam and Eve show no fear of God and eat the fruit? What made Adam blame Eve for eating the fruit, by saying to God, "The woman you put here in the garden with me was the one who gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.(Genesis 3:12)" Is it not our own selfish pride that makes us blame all our problems on one another? When God questioned Eve she said, "The serpent deceived me, and so I ate the fruit." Did God excuse them because of the serpent's deception? St. Paul says knowledge makes us puff up and feel important, but it is only love that will help build the community (1 Corinthians 8:1). 

Today, what distinguishes us from the rest of God’s creation? It is the collected knowledge that we have gained and stored from the beginning of time. Our knowledge of the good and evil that people are capable of has grown over the centuries and expanded. Further, it is our ability to link our lives with those of our ancestors for many, many, generations. Through the ancestral tree of our forebears, we see the expanding Tree of Life. We see the lives of ancestors and how they have responded to serve God or people as the case may be. The breath of God that brought life to Adam should spur us on to learn more about Him, His ways, and His plans for us each day. The wisdom of God is described as a Tree of Life to those who embrace and hold fast to her(Proverbs 3:18). 

 Why is it that in the abundance of the things to eat and enjoy in the garden, Adam and Eve were drawn to the one deed they were specifically told not to do? By eating the fruit of the Tree, Adam and Eve chose to replace their own knowledge of good and evil for God's. Do we have the freedom to do whatever we want? We all have physical and spiritual limitations. We face temptations in differing degrees. However, temptation becomes a trespass only when we commit to the evil deed. Doubt, obstacles, distractions, and loss are tools used by the devil to instigate us to succumb to temptations. We must always be vigilant of the devil’s attempts to lead us to shame and disgrace. We are all broken people, and have erred in so many ways and gone astray (Romans 3:23). Christ was victorious although He was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:1). 

Adam and Eve led carefree and bountiful lives in the Garden of Eden, yet they were disobedient and fell to temptation. On the other hand, Christ was obedient even when He was tortured and hung to die on the cross (Philippians 2:8). Thus our immortality is in Christ alone and not within us. Adam gave mortal life to all his descendents, but in Christ we inherit eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Pride of Babel

We live in a time when many of us try to project our pride in our community in various forms. We have Euro pride, White pride, Black pride, Asian pride, and so on. The efforts of some of these organizations to promote the well being of the downtrodden should not be ignored. They work in creative ways that promote learning, give voice to others, and are empowering. They ensure that people can overcome or challenge existing power structures that shackle them to poverty and injustice. This is one of the redeeming aspects of the gospel message that Jesus spoke of; to set the captives free.

Proverbs says that pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). What gives us self worth? Our achievements or God’s role in bringing us to where we are? It is much easier to recognize pride in another person than in ourselves. What are some of the ways pride is noticeable? Some clues are big headedness, conceit, condescension, disdain, over-confidence, egoism, haughtiness, pretension, self importance, self-love, snobbery, arrogance, boasting, and so on. The proper attitude we should have toward God and one another is humility. Proud people are rarely sorry for their mistakes and never ask for forgiveness. Timothy speaks of such people in 2 Tim 3:2-7. A proud person always boasts of what they can do. However, a child of God boasts of what God has done for them, and in Jesus Christ who has called us to be like Him.

After the flood, the children of Noah slowly spread out all over the earth. They all spoke one language. They began to have an excessive belief in their own abilities. They sought to build a city whose tower would reach up into the heavens. They wanted to make a name for themselves. Could they they have achieved immortality through the Tower of Babel they left behind? They were no longer happy to be children of God; they wanted to be self-sufficient and set apart. God saw their selfish pride and wanted to rectify it. Do we goad one another toward good works or to the downward spiral of self-indulgence and deceit? Are there not times when we keep busy with or piling up material things at the cost of the needs of our community at large?

God spoke and said that the Tower of Babel was a sign that the entire race of people wanted to become equal with God. Pride, vanity, and arrogance have been seen as the source for many other sins to arise from. Hence God scattered the people over the entire face of the earth by confusing their language. God set them up against each other. If they could not understand one another they would never be able to work together. Are there not times in our own lives when we cannot seem to understand what our family members are trying to communicate to us? When do we find ourselves in this vulnerable position? Are these times when we are close to God as a family or away from God? When do we see Nations going into chaos? God created order from chaos, yet here we see the world returning to chaos. It is strange to think that a God of law and order would set the world back into a state of chaos. Yet chaos is a state of freedom with no restrictions that has in itself the ability to be creative or destructive.

Even as the story ends with chaos we see the lineage of Abraham being listed. God is a God of mercy and grace. He preserves those who are faithful to Him from generation to generation. In the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Jesus says that the Pharisee was proud of who he was and considered himself to be a saint in relation to the Publican who was a sinner. The Publican on the other hand was so conscious of his misdeeds that he groaned and shed tears of repentance. Jesus said, “the Publican was justified because he was humble, for the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.” (Luke 18:9-14) Jesus warns us that pride is one of the evils that comes from within us and defiles us (Mark 7: 20-23). Paul urges us to be humble, thinking of others as better than ourselves (Philippians. 2: 1-4).

Praise the Lord, My Soul

Praise the Lord my Soul 

I love taking photographs of landscapes. One day I went out with a group of friends from church, who were taking photographs of a lake in the neighborhood. We watched a glorious sunrise. After that we went to different spots and were taking photos of cloud formations. I was praying that God would show me something amazing. I took many photos of the clouds and went home. When I loaded them on my computer, I slowly realized that the clouds were somehow speaking to me from this formation. Please do look at the attached photo with a verse from Psalm 104.

When I came across the first few verses of Psalm 104, again I felt the Spirit speak to me about the vision of the clouds I saw that beautiful morning. It was an amazing vision of a heavenly being robed in honor and majesty. Of how God makes the clouds his chariot, rides on the wings of the wind and flames of fire are his servants. I gaze at this photograph framed in my living room as a visual reminder of my faith in God our Father, Jesus our Savior and the Holy Spirit our Guide.

Psalm of Praise to God who made the whole World

1.   My whole being , praises the Lord
       Lord my God, you are very great;

2.     You wear light like a robe.
         You stretch out the skies like a tent.

3.      You build your room above the clouds,
          You make the clouds your chariot,
            And you ride on the wings of the wind.

“I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭104:33‬ ‭

Psalms are chanted by Jews and Christians, as a congregation and individually. They are sung as the need arises to praise, worship, and give thanks to God. They are also sung or said in times of crisis and need, as a form of supplication, as a source of comfort and even as a way to express regret for trespasses. Psalm 104 is a Psalm that expresses praise and thanks to the God who is our creator, preserver and provider. The Psalm is a beautiful meditation on God’s glorious creation and the glory that bursts forth from all the earth and endures forever.

The author of this Psalm is unknown.  Writing psalms and songs of praise is an art. Many songwriters find it easy to modify the words of a popular song so that people can learn to appreciate them better. Lyrics of many popular songs have been modeled on the lyrics of songs sung at barrooms and by popular music bands. This Psalm 104 written hundreds of years later for the Bible has a vague resemblance to the Egyptian hymn to Aten - a hymn sung in monotheistic worship to the Sun God 1350 BC. The famous Hymn, “Oh Worship the King” was written based on Psalm 104 by a brilliant Scottish man, Robert Grant. His hymn was influenced by the writings of William Kethe’s paraphrase of Psalm 104 in the Anglo-Geneva’s Psalter (1561). A most recent recent recreation is by Chris Tomlin who wrote a song of praise on this hymn too.

 

Psalms have been a very essential part of the spiritual formation of Christians from the time of the Apostles. Paul and Silas praised God in the prison at midnight when their feet were fastened in chains, and sang Psalms so loudly that the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:23-26). The apostles exhorted the Christians at Ephesus and Colossae to teach and caution one another with Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19).

Jesus said I am the Light of the world, whoever follows me will not walk in darkness. (John 8:12) The characteristics that the psalmist ascribes to God in the first couple of verses are honor, glory, majesty, and light. Jack Hayford served as the faculty of L.I.F.E. Bible College, and went on to become dean of students and its president. He also served as pastor at 'Church of the Way', starting in 1969; this church grew to over 7,000 members. He wrote the contemporary worship and praise song Majesty based on Psalm 104.

The psalmist goes on to say that God uses the wind and flaming fire (lightning) as His messengers and servants. The most powerful forces of nature that cause great disasters are under God’s powers. When the disciples were with Jesus one day, they were caught in the midst of a furious storm. The waves broke over the boat and they were nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, scolded the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!" (Mark 4:35-41)

The Psalmist says that it was God who set the earth on its foundations (Psalm 104:5-9). The laws and principles of the Life Sciences we learn and understand today are based on the foundations that God set when he created this world. Do you see the hand of the creator setting the rhythms to life on earth? Do we live in a world of chaos or are there boundaries which are there? Have these boundaries been broken by us?

The psalmist says that God provides for the wild animals and birds from springs in the valley and the streams in the deserts. Will not God provide for humans? Every need of a person is met, with food from the earth, bread and wine to strengthen and gladden the heart, and oil to make the face shine. Does not a human being enjoy far more of the earthly and spiritual blessings than any wild animal or bird? God is our refuge and strength is a beautiful hymn that shares the same music as "America the Beautiful".

The Psalm concludes by saying, “May my meditation be pleasing to the Lord, for I rejoice in the LORD.” Let us rejoice in the Lord with Psalms and singing in God who is our refuge and strength.

Lord when we consider our way in this world
Often its dark, winding and full of potholes
Time and again what we see ahead is the cross and the grave
Let your light shine into our souls Oh Lord
May we see you clothed in splendor and majesty
Endlessly sing of your faithfulness and love
We worship you as our glorious King
We surrender our hope and wishes at thy feet
May your flames of fire show the way for our lives today
Amen