Category Archives: seeking understanding

Mark’s Gospel tells us of Jesus crying out on the cross. The only innocent human to ever live was carrying the incredible weight of sin upon himself. As that sin was placed upon him, his Father in Heaven turned from that sin. What Jesus cried out that day was Psalm 22. This is how that Psalm begins…

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” (Psalm‬ ‭22:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

This is a psalm of David.

We may sometimes feel like this,

but as Christ followers, we must not forget that because he was forsaken, we are not.

The writer of Hebrews reminds us of his promise.

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

No matter what comes at us, whether it be war, cancer, or betrayal we can hold on because He is with us.

Indeed, we are free because of what he has done. We are free to trust in him. We can lift the shield of faith against fear. We are free to trust him when the doctor gives bad news. We are free to forgive the one who has somehow betrayed us.

Freedom.

Jesus put it this way:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” …

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32, 36‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Let us not imprison ourselves by dwelling in hate, fear or grudges. Rather, let us dwell in Jesus and his truth and be free to love… even, and especially, our enemy.

During crisis, and the war has made this very real to many, we may find comfort in praying the Psalms.

This is the portion that I am copying this morning.

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm‬ ‭138:7-8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Turn to God.

Complain freely.

Ask for his help.

Trust in him. He is love, power, understanding and strength.

He is for you.

You are not alone.

This morning we learned that http://www.ceokids.org was down.

It is now back online.

So, if you tried to go and give to join our great endeavor with our Ukrainian partners as they help people fleeing the war, please go back to give at

http://www.ceokids.org/give

Thank you!

Since the war began:

Meals delivered to deeply troubled cities, suburbs and villages INSIDE Ukraine: 73,000+

Long term housing provided for displaced persons: 100

Warm beds and hot meals for those in the move: 8,000+

Average nightly number of persons passing thru needing shelter: 50-100

Thanks be to God.

Please pray

Please give

http://www.ceokids.org/give

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm‬ ‭136:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

God works miracles.

God also works through normal means, using his people to care for his people.

These are evacuee children being cared for in longer term housing at our partner camp.

We’re so grateful to God to be a part of helping these children. Many of them have experienced the horror of the war.

But right now, they are safe, warm and playing.

Thanks be to God.

Thank you for praying, please continue.

Thank you for giving. As you pray and give, you too are the hands and feet of God.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm‬ ‭136:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

GIVE: http://www.ceokids.org/give

While Darius led Persia, God worked to return the Jews to Jerusalem and it’s surrounding region. In his promise (prophesy) God said through Zechariah (ch 8) that peace and prosperity would return.

Jerusalem was a ruin and had to be rebuilt. God was reminding his people that he was with them and for them. this sentence struck me just now as I read it:

“Therefore love truth and peace.”
‭‭(Zechariah‬ ‭8:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Today’s images can help us understand the horror of what the Babylonians did in Palestine. *(I make no connection between current or past wars with what happened those many centuries ago, eschatological or otherwise.)*

During that struggle, as now, God is with us. Today, we have the possibility of an even fuller understanding of the greatness of the love and care of God through the life and work of Jesus (which culminates in his resurrection).

Jesus is the truth.

Jesus brings peace, between God and those who follow him.

“Therefore love truth and peace.”
‭‭(Zechariah‬ ‭8:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Jesus, centuries after the prophecy through Zechariah, is the way to understand this sentence:

“Therefore love truth and peace.”
‭‭(Zechariah‬ ‭8:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Peace is not just the end of war, it is a state of being that comes from being at peace with God because of the work of Jesus.

But sometimes we choose not to live in peace. Sometimes we choose to abide in anger, or allow ourselves to be unforgiving, or simply avoiding those we don’t like (for whatever reason).

For the follower of Jesus, this is to live in opposite to his prophesy (above) and commands to love.

It is easy to hate, to look down on people, even whole races and nations. Indeed, it is natural for us to act this way. Hate and apathy are actually quite human. Quite fallen, but quite human.

But it is not biblical living.

When I realize I am hating, avoiding, or refusing to forgive a person, a group, or a whole people, I must repent. I must turn to God and ask him to change my heart into one that loves “truth and peace.”

Let us turn to love truth and peace.

For a deeper consideration of this, from a different perspective, I recommend the teaching that is available through the link ⬇️

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life/id352660924?i=1000535202699