Hindsight

Posted on by Shannon

We appreciate leaders with foresight and vision, whether politicians or church leaders. But we forget the value of hindsight. Some want to forget the past because it is painful or embarrassing. Some people think the past has no value at all. But God gave us a memory for good reasons, and it involves hindsight. If we gain some wisdom from the past, it’s going to help us with the future.

The bewildering stories of the Old Testament kings of Israel reveal radical flip-flops of policy and religion from father to son. After all of king Hezekiah’s positive reforms, his son Manasseh took the throne and did the complete opposite, rebuilding the idolatrous shrines his father had destroyed (2 Kings 21). His grandson Josiah took his turn and destroyed the idols and led the country back to God. Manasseh forgot the national blessings of faithfulness and Josiah remembered the past consequences of idolatry.

When Stephen addressed the Jewish council in Acts 7:51-53, he pointed out their failure to remember what happened to their forebearers. “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did.” The apostle Paul had hindsight, never forgetting the harm he once did to the church and God’s graciousness to forgive him. It taught the world the power of the gospel in a man’s life, that even the worst can be saved.

We need hindsight because our past mistakes teach us what won’t work in the future, and what will. It helps us steer our lives with more wisdom. Humility is maintained when we remember our humble beginnings, granting us compassion for others. Like Paul, remembering the grace of God in saving our ruined souls helps us to never forget our work today – reaching out to the lost. Strive to develop foresight, but know the value of hindsight.

What is it you need to remember? What is it you need to forget?

– Tim Johnson

Amaziah the Troublemaker

Posted on by Shannon

It is said of king Amaziah that he “did right in the sight of the Lord, yet not like David his father [ancestor]” (2 Kings 14:3). He was handed the throne of Judah at only 25 years old, an age when young men often set out with great optimism but little wisdom. It seems he intended to rule with faith in God and justice toward men, but he just didn’t go far enough.

He immediately brought the murderers of his father to justice and, respecting the Law, was careful not to go too far and harm their children. Then war with Edom loomed, as it often did, and God helped Amaziah win a solid victory. Enthused by his successes, he became proud and foolish.

His first of many mistakes came when he challenged king Jehoash of Israel to fight a battle and see who was strongest. Jehoash replied that this was unnecessary. “You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has become proud. Enjoy your glory and stay at home; for why should you provoke trouble so that you, even you, should fall and Judah with you?” (14:10). A smart warning. However, Amaziah insisted and the battle did not go in his favour. He was captured, Jerusalem invaded, the temple robbed of valuables, and hostages taken back to Samaria.

What a foolish disaster! Amaziah started out well but let his pride lead him to a fall. He didn’t consider the trouble he could inflict on his army, his capital city and its citizens. He died in shame.

There’s a warning for us in these verses. We, too, can provoke unnecessary trouble around us if we’re not careful. Like Amaziah, we may have faith in God and intend to follow good principles in life, but our own pride and lack of wisdom can lead us to anger people, annoy those who live close to us, and cause irreparable harm. It can easily come back on us.

God gave us good advice to avoid such mistakes. “He who would love life and enjoy good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile; let him shun wrong and do right, let him seek peace and make peace his aim. For the eyes of the Lord are on the upright, and his ears are open to their cry; but the face of the Lord is set against wrongdoers” (1 Peter 3:10-12).

– Tim Johnson

Strength for the Weary

Posted on by Shannon

Ancient Israel always seemed to be flirting with idolatry. In Isaiah 40:27-31, God patiently explained that He is not like inanimate idols who are powerless to help man. He said, “The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable” (mysterious and unfathomable). Then He revealed some good news for us: “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength.”

All human beings become weary and tired. We wonder how we are going to come up with the energy to do the things we are called upon to do. This is especially true as we age. However, our living God is able to help us carry on with renewed energy. God never wears out and He is willing to give us strength. The secret is to ask Him for it, and then get moving.

I’m reminded of my high school history teacher, Walter Dale. He was a long-time teacher at Great Lakes Christians College and a part-time preacher. After retiring, he and his wife Eileen decided to move to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to help the small congregation of the Church of Christ there. He could have easily spent his retirement in luxury and ease, as many people do. But not Walter. He wanted to serve the Lord as long as he could. He seemed to have a great deal of energy and strength for a man his age. For the second time in my life I was able to be friends with him, for we also lived in that part of the country. The Dales were a great model for me as a younger preacher.

Age, illness and overwork can slow us down. But when we need strength to carry on the Lord can give us what we need. It’s a quality that the living God shares with us. Idols can never come up with it, but our living God can.

Weary? Tired? Feeling weak? Now you know what to do.

– Tim Johnson

City Lights

Posted on by Shannon

As a young family heading home on the highway from trips away, we’d often pass by the town of Springhill, Nova Scotia. It literally sits on top of a huge hill, hundreds of feet high. At night, you could see its lights sparkling in the distance, often looking like a crown on top a regal head. It reminded us that we were getting close to home.

In Bible times, you can imagine how a city would look at night on top a hill. No electric lights invaded the darkness, but the oil lamps and cooking fires of a community would easily mark its location. Jesus said our lives as disciples need to be like that. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

When Jesus taught these principles in his Sermon on the Mount, he had the sterile, cold lives of the Pharisees in mind. Instead of following their unsympathetic lives, he challenged the people to genuinely care for others and become lights in the world.

Kind, helpful good works are always appreciated. People are drawn to the thoughtfulness of others. They are remembered for a long time. When Jesus did kind things for people, they were recorded in the New Testament and studied by followers for centuries.

Good works aren’t to be deliberately shown off, like medals on a uniform. It’s just that they can’t really be hidden. When we’re busy doing them, people naturally notice what you’re doing. And if you’re doing them with humility and care, you will be like city lights on a hill. God will be glorified.

What a great challenge from the Lord of good works.

– Tim Johnson

What Makes Us Tick Inside?

Posted on by Shannon

The great philosophers of ancient Greece sought to understand the inner nature of man, what made him tick. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle wrote down their thoughts which have been studied for thousands of years. Some people find Plato’s thoughts to be difficult and a little strange, but overall, he made a lot of sense. He lived roughly about the time of Israel’s Babylonian captivity.

No one knows the inner nature of man more than God himself, our creator. David recognized this shortly after he realized he was guilty of some shocking sins. In Psalm 51:6-7, by inspiration, he wrote down some great truths. He said, “Behold thou dost desire truth in the innermost being” (NASV). Deep inside of us, one of the greatest things we can do is be a people of truth. Not only should we speak truth to others but know the truth about ourselves: we are flawed and need God’s help and forgiveness. This breeds deep humility, enabling us to treat others with “gentleness, with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love” (Eph.4:2).

The second truth David pointed out was that “in the hidden part Thou wilt make me know wisdom” (Ps.51:7). God himself can give us wisdom deep inside, which adds great quality and character to man. Philosophers have come up with some profound things, but wisdom from God truly enriches a life. If we ask him for it, he will give it to us “generously and without reproach” (James 1:5).

Sometimes we just need strength to carry on. Our inward man needs to come up with it at the worst of times. It is said in scripture that we can be “strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (Eph.3:16). This is a blessing accessed in prayer by any Christian.

So, what makes us tick in our inner man? Truth, wisdom and strength – all from God through Jesus Christ. Look into the Scriptures every day and feast upon the truths found there. Pray to Him for help and wisdom – and do it with a humble attitude. That’s what makes us healthy and strong deep inside.

– Tim Johnson