Midweek Message: Divine Equity

Psalm 9:7-8 The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. (NIV)

We live in troubled times and as Christians, we probably find it hard to see where God is working in the world. There are moments when I get overwhelmed with a great sadness for the amount of cruelty and injustice, inhumanity and hostility that is taking place, not just around the globe, but in our beloved and beleaguered nation.

When I read about innocent people being unjustly targeted, assaulted, imprisoned, and even killed, simply because they are immigrants, I get angry and often ask God what He is doing about it. It seems to me that cruel people, who even have the audacity to call themselves Christians, are corrupting and controlling our society in unjust and unaccountable ways. And because we are going through a time of unease and uncertainty, many good people say or do nothing, allowing evil to triumph and bullies to lead.

I guess that the ancient songwriter who wrote the ninth psalm understood some of the angst we share today. His world was also upended by cruelty and division, fear and anxiety, but despite these issues and concerns, he held on to his faith in God – a God who ultimately would judge the world with divine equity – seeing people for who they were and offering no favoritism to people in power, but rather siding with the marginalized and the oppressed, the victimized and powerless.

Perhaps we can apply our faith in a similar manner during these immoderate times. The proud and the arrogant, the brazen and the bigoted do not go unnoticed by God. They may make gains in the short term and circumvent the laws of the land, but eventually their ruin and downfall will occur because unlike them, the Lord reigns forever and rules the world with righteousness and judges the people with equity.

Point to ponder: How often do I struggle with what’s happening in today’s world? Am I willing to put my faith in God’s justice?

Prayer: Lord God, You know how unjust the world can be, for even Your Son was not spared from the cruelty and inhumanity of men. When we are perplexed, be our patience; when we are lost, lead us gently; when we are downhearted, raise our spirits. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

 

Midweek Message: Calming the Storm

Mark 4:38        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?" 

I’ve only had one anxiety attack in my life, and I truly hope I never experience another one. It happened years ago, shortly after my family and I moved into our new home in Knoxville. All at once, the reality hit me: we had taken on a thirty-year mortgage in a new city, in a new country, with no clear guarantees about what the future would hold.

I also carried a deep concern for my wife and two daughters. They had left so much behind to come to America with me—their family, friends, cousins, and familiar support systems. They needed me to be present with them, but I had become so absorbed in my work that I wasn’t giving them the care and reassurance they deserved. Instead of leaning into faith together, we found ourselves feeling afraid, unsettled, and even resentful. That strain continued for several weeks, until one day it finally overwhelmed me.

Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. My heart was racing, my thoughts were spinning, and for a moment I honestly thought I might be dying. It only lasted about a minute, but it felt much longer. When it passed, I was pale, shaken, and covered in cold perspiration. It was a frightening experience—one I would not wish on anyone.

As I look back now, I can see that I was trying to carry too much on my own. I was relying on my own strength instead of turning to Jesus for the support, peace, and perspective I needed. Christ had brought us across the Atlantic for reasons that are still unfolding in each of our lives. The storms I felt inside were real, but they were not beyond His reach. Jesus was right there in the middle of them—ready, willing, and able to quiet my fears and calm the waves within me. It took time for me to see that, but I understand it more clearly now: Christ’s presence is real, and what matters most is that He is with us.

Perhaps you are going through a storm of your own right now. Maybe life feels heavy, your problems feel overwhelming, or anxiety is rising higher than you expected. If so, please know this: you are not alone. Christ is with you in the middle of your worries, your questions, and your cares. You can bring them to Him. He is able to calm the storm, and He invites you to trust Him one wave at a time.

Question for personal reflection

What fears, worries, or heavy burdens am I carrying right now? How might I invite Jesus into the middle of them today?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we need Your steady and powerful presence in our lives. When we feel afraid, anxious, or overwhelmed, help us remember that we do not have to face our storms alone. Be our strength when we are weak, lift us up when we stumble, and guide us with Your peace. Calm the storms within us and around us, helping us trust You one step at a time. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Pastor John

If you enjoyed this devotion, you can read more in John's devotional e-books like "The Light of Love" which has forty-two devotions inspired by the Gospel of John. You can find the book at this link: 

"The Light of Love."

Liberty Devotion: Take Heart

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. (NIV)

 

This weekend will be both remarkable and historic, whatever our present circumstances may be. Celebrating 250 years of independence is a milestone few nations have experienced. Across the country, many people will gather with family and friends for traditional Fourth of July cookouts, complete with all the fixings—and, of course, watermelon. There will be parties, music, and the eager wait for dusk when fireworks light the sky. It promises to be a memorable occasion that many of us will cherish for years to come.

Many of us are grateful for our nation’s past, even as we recognize that the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness has not yet been fully realized by all. The struggles for independence in 1776 and 1812 ended British control, yet the ongoing quest for equality led to the Civil War, the Suffragette movement, and the Civil Rights movement—issues that still shape American society today. We treasure freedom as a sacred and unalienable right, but we must continue working so that everyone in our nation can truly experience it.

Today’s verse from Psalm 31 offers comforting words for the future. Through faith in God, we find the strength and courage to face what lies ahead. If we place our hope in God’s guidance and remain faithful to God’s ways, we will learn how to share the gifts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with all people. As we pursue these blessings, God will lead us not to keep them just for ourselves, but to offer and share them with the entire world.

May God bless you and your loved ones throughout this time of celebration.

Pastor John