Monthly Archives: February 2021

A Time to Live, A Time to Die

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In late January, Jarrod, a friend of ours, died suddenly. In his mid-40’s, Jarrod left this world behind to come face to face with his Savior. His Japanese wife and three sons are likely still reeling. Please pray for Jarrod’s family.

For us, this was a new experience. Jarrod had made it clear to his wife that he wanted a Christian funeral, as opposed to the Buddhist ones typical of Japan. She called us from the hospital asking how to proceed. Norman had never led a funeral before, so he was out of his element. We also learned that in Japan, funerals are typically held within 24 hours of the person’s death. Chloe and I scrambled to put together special music, and Norman gathered his thoughts on how to address a mostly unbelieving audience. Several members of our church group attended, since Jarrod and his wife occasionally joined our Bible studies. Most likely, it was the first time in that funeral home, that the name of Jesus Christ was named, that the hope of the gospel was mentioned.

As always, funerals remind the rest of us about the purpose of life. Why am I still living? How should I spend my remaining time? What is important in life? Am I ready to die?

 

I Elect Hope

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I don’t know about you, but hearing news of the United States presidential election can drag me down and fill me with despair. I see the sides people take, the unkind verbiage thrown back and forth, and the way the country I love seems to be heading in an ungodly way.

But several Bible passages have lifted me up recently.

First, I’ve been reading through the books of history in the Old Testament. Second Samuel 15 describes the time King David’s son Absalom decided he would be king. He craftily manipulated popular opinion, made broad promises about making people’s lives better, and cozied up to the crowd. He planned a huge celebration for his coronation, inviting crowds of people without telling them his intent. When David was told of this treasonous act, he simply ran the other way, weeping. He did pray and make some efforts to counteract Absalom’s administration, but it was God who put an end to Absalom’s reign. God directed through conflicting advice given to Absalom. In fact, He used a forest to defeat the enemy army!

From this account, I understand that God is fully capable of taking down any ruler that grabs the reins for himself. If God doesn’t want a person in power, He can and will remove him if that best serves His purposes. It reminds me of Proverbs 21:30-31: “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.”

Secondly, the Bible is clear that God uses even ungodly rulers to perform His purposes. Look at Pharaoh during the time of Moses. God also used the Assyrians and Chaldeans to discipline His chosen people. In Proverbs 21:1, we read, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” Not only can God remove the leader He doesn’t want, God can also use any and every leader to fulfill the purpose He has for them.

Even if I don’t look forward to certain leaders coming into power, I can rest assured that God has set limits for them. He will allow them to be in power as it suits His plan.

When I remember these two concepts, when I focus on the power of God, when I recognize that nothing is too difficult for our all-powerful God, my heart knows a sense of peace like nothing else can bring. Will the world continue to get worse? Yes. God has already promised us this. Will the USA continue to be a world power forever? Not sure. God hasn’t promised that!

But what can I do? I can pray for my leaders, I can pray for Christians to keep making disciples and sharing the gospel, and I can focus on what God is doing in the world – not demanding what I prefer to happen.

God is in control! Nothing slips past His notice. No one is outside of His control. He has a master plan, and I can trust that He knows what He’s doing!

        “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. . . . Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” – Psalm 33:8-11, 20-22)