Sabbath Psalms - Needing to Sleep

Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--for he grants sleep to those he loves.

God must love an awful lot of people on Sunday mornings, especially if He grants sleep to those He loves! Being a preacher, you get to see the whole congregation on Sundays, so sometimes watching folks fall asleep is a quick indicator that I'd better get the sermon finished and bring the message home quickly!

But sometimes people fall asleep because they feel safe, not bored. God's House is a sanctuary to them, a place where they can feel secure, loved, and welcomed. Sometimes people fall asleep because they've endured a grueling week - hard work, worries at home, stress - all those qualities of modern life. Whatever the reason, being cradled in Christ's arms at church is a beautiful thing and, after all, isn't our Sabbath supposed to be a time of rest?

After a tumultuous week for everyone, some folks may also feel depressed by the election results and just want to hibernate for a while. That’s okay, too. Disappointment is hard to carry at times, so quietly withdrawing and taking time to decompress is probably essential for their well-being. If you feel that way yourself, please just take time to be embraced by God and replenish your spirit. Know that you are dearly and divinely loved, cherished by Christ and supported by His Spirit.

Point to ponder: Have I used up all of my energy recently? Am I willing to seek God’s love to refresh me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us as we are. You know all about our busyness, our energy highs and lows, our weary weeks and merry months. Thank You for accepting us as we truly are. Your Love touches our hearts, and we feel safe in Your arms. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is a Scottish Presbyterian pastor now living in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Depending on God - Psalm 118:6

Psalm 118:6 With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can anyone do to me? (RSV)

            We’re just days into the New Year which means we are still carrying many of our dreams and ambitions in our hearts and minds. The next twelve months are full of opportunity, as well as uncertainty. Not one of us really knows what we will individually face, but we hope for the best and try to plan ahead. I’m already filling up my calendar with events and tasks that look good on paper, but I also know there will be some of them that I will have to discard or be unable to accomplish. Within a couple of weeks, I’ll settle into a manageable routine which will help me to complete most of the things that God wants of me, as well as to fulfill a few dreams and new ideas that I want to accomplish.

            I also know that some of my folks are anxious about the future and feel uncertain about where they are headed. Work, health, and relationship issues are normally at the heart of their insecurity – not knowing what is in front of them can create a fearfulness which, if fed enough dread, can become overwhelming. Despair may set in, which is always hard to diminish, and feelings of guilt or regret can sour any hopes or dreams for the new year. Being human is never easy and the burdens we carry can bring us down. The emotional baggage from last year can be carried over into this year, spoiling our good intentions and new resolutions.

            However, we are not alone. God is always with us and His love, indeed, does endure forever. No matter what we face, God stands beside us; no matter what confronts us, God is willing to support, counsel, and guide us through it. As the psalmist simply stated long ago, “With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can anyone do to me?” – we can depend on God to help us through anything; we can rely on Him for strength when we are weak, hope when we are down, and love when we feel lost.

            May God bless you and all of your loved ones throughout this new year. May all of your dreams be fulfilled and may God let your plans succeed.

Prayer: Lord God, when we are afraid and insecure, help us to find faith and rediscover our dependence on You. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship at 11:00 AM on Sundays – you will be made most welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings called ‘New Year Communion.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Communion.

Patchwork Blues - Luke 21:29-36

Mark 2:21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse.” (NIV)

            When I was a teenager, patchwork denims were the latest fashion trend. Most of my peers had them, but my family was going through some rough financial times, so my parents couldn’t afford them. Undaunted by this, I decided to make my own. I cut up some really old denims and made some square patches. I then spent a couple of days sewing them on to a new pair of work jeans. By the time I was finished, my fingertips were bruised because of constantly having to push the needle through two layers of denim. However, I thought my patchwork denims looked great, so it was worth all of the bleeding and pain.

            I wore them for a couple of days and then it started raining. When the thread got wet, the stitching became tighter and eventually the patches started to break away. In due course, my pair of patchwork jeans turned into ragged remnants and I realized that I had ruined them. As a teenager struggling to keep up with his peers, it was a hard and embarrassing lesson to learn; however, as a life lesson, it has proved invaluable to me. Patching up things may work for a while, but eventually things will fall apart and be beyond repair.

            I think this is also what Jesus meant when He talked about sewing patches on old garments. They ultimately become undone, no matter how good the initial intent to fix things was. Jesus saw this among His own people, who constantly broke their covenant with God and then tried to vainly repair the damage with sacrifices. It was never enough and all that they achieved was a glossing over of the real problem – their self-centered ways – and the temporary concealment of their personal sins. It would take a brand-new sacrifice to cover their sinfulness – the crucifixion of Christ – instead of a patchwork of prayers or an ineffective system of rituals.

            Perhaps you presently feel broken, disconnected, or even ragged. Maybe you’ve been patching up things for years in order to conceal the real problems of your life. If you keep doing this, it will tear away at your mind, grieve your heart, and contaminate your soul. Seek help from a reputable counselor to enable you to unravel the mess. At the same time, ask Christ to allow His Spirit to comfort and support you, as well as to repair and renew you. It won’t happen overnight, but it can be accomplished over time.

Point to ponder

What things am I constantly patching up that cannot be repaired? Am I willing to let Christ help me to recover?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know everything about us and are aware of our personal fears and failures. Help us to come to You for guidance and direction, to show us the way ahead and to lead us toward recovery. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome. 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s new Advent drawings. If you would like to see a larger version, please click this link: Advent1.

The Rock

Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (NIV)

One of the privileges of being with a congregation for a long time is watching people grow in faith, especially during times of adversity, hardship, and loss. I am often touched by the spiritual strength that church members have which has been built up by their regular commitment to worship, study, fellowship, and prayer. Over the years, they have deposited a great deal of faith, hope, and trust in God, so that when the inevitable happens, they pull on those resources that they have banked within their souls, enabling them to both endure and overcome. It’s a remarkable process which I cherish; it’s something that I often wish others in the community would recognize in the lives of church folks today.

King David, the writer of today’s psalm, had his share of problems, too. Psalm 18 was written at a time when David as a young man was a fugitive, fleeing from the rants, wrath, and instability of King Saul. David sought refuge in another land, but he still looked to God to deliver him from the threats of violence and his enemies. Throughout his entire life, David depended on God to enable him to overcome his troubles and effectively solve his problems. His faith never faltered, even though his personal life included times of weakness, pride, and sin. Overall, he fully relied on God’s grace to both forgive and sustain him which is why in both the Old and New Testaments David is referred to as ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ (1 Samuel 13:14 & Acts 13:22).

Perhaps you are going through a hard time, a heartfelt loss, or a severe issue. Maybe you feel overwhelmed, lost, or confused. Whatever the case, please know this: The God who actively helped David in the past lives and watches over our lives today. In the midst of your pain or problems, lean on God’s love. At a time of turmoil or trouble, let God be the solid rock of faith, trust, and comfort that you need. God will not leave you or forsake you; instead, God will cherish and embrace, enabling you to endure and overcome.

Point to ponder

What is currently troubling me? Am I willing to place my burden prayerfully in God’s hands?

Prayer: Lord God, You know us completely and are fully aware of our present circumstances and difficulties. Allow to lean on You; enable us to rest on You; permit us to rely on You. In Christ’s Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville. If you have any questions or feedback about this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. If you are looking for a church or are in Knoxville at the weekend, come and join us for worship at Erin on Sunday at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome among us.

Today’s image is one of John’s original Psalm drawings based on another verse from Psalm 18. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Psalm 18.