Bits and Pieces – 153rd Edition – February 12, 2023

“Our light affliction, which is but for a moment” [1 Corinthians 4:17]

     Paul was no stranger to suffering.  He gave a catalogue of the afflictions he endured as he preached the Gospel of Christ – a total of 190 lashes laid upon his bare back in five separate scourgings; three times beaten with rods; stoned once; shipwrecked three times; imprisoned several times; and in continual peril from many quarters.  He speaks of weariness and pain, hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness, yet he does not complain.

     For the average Christian today, any one of Paul’s troubles would be a major setback to his faith.  He would wonder if God had forgotten him and left him to suffer in his misery.  He would wallow in self-pity, grumbling and complaining about how hard life is.  But that is not how Paul reacted.  He saw a lifetime of hardship and service in the service of Christ as his “light affliction.”

     What made the difference between Paul and Mr. Average Christian?  The answer is that Paul had his eyes firmly fixed on eternal realities more than on transient human values. Things seen are temporal, but the unseen are eternal.  Like Moses, he chose rather to “suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” [Hebrews 11:25]. Moses made his choice because he saw by faith Him who “is invisible.”  Paul was motivated by the same vision.

     Dear suffering believer, lift your weary eyes toward heaven.  Here on earth you groan, as does the whole creation, but soon with Christ the pain and the tears will be forever gone.  What now seems heavy on earth is light with Christ in view.

     Each week we have been briefly highlighting one of the major emphases of the Free Presbyterian Church. Today: Protestant in Conviction.  The Free Presbyterian Church in Canada rejoices in its glorious Protestant heritage.  It gladly takes its stand alongside the great Christian leaders of the Protestant  Reformation. The word comes from two Latin words – “pro” (for) and “testis” (a witness), bearing a witness for Christ.

     Throughout its history, the Free Presbyterian Church has opposed the ecumenical movement’s efforts to promote union with Roman Catholicism, because that church still holds every false dogma that caused the Reformation in the first place.

     God revealed Himself to Moses by that great and sacred name of “Jehovah” – His incommunicable name, that can never be used of man There are a number of ‘Jehovah titles’ in the Bible – that is, Jehovah allied to another word.  Man is a needy creature.  Thank God that need can be met fully as revealed in the ‘Jehovah Titles.’

     MAN NEEDS A SOURCE.  How did we arrive on this planet?  He is distinct from all other creatures.  Well should we ponder the question, “What is man?” [Psalm 8:4}  The answer is given in Jehovah Hosenu – “The Lord our Maker” [Psalm 95:6].  God is the only adequate cause of man’s existence.

     MAN NEEDS A SACRIFICE.  Why?  To pay the debt of our sin.  Abraham was about to sacrifice His only son Isaac when Jehovah Jireh stopped him and provided a ram for the sin offering. [Genesis 22:14].

     MAN NEEDS A SUBSTITUTE.  The only way to enter heaven is on the grounds of perfect righteousness.  The Lord reminds us that our best righteousness is but “filthy rags” [Isa. 64:6]. It is then that we discover that Jesus is our substitute righteousness – Jehovah Tsidkenu – “the Lord our righteousness”. [Jeremiah 23:6].

     MAN NEEDS SATISFACTION.  A void has existed in the heart of man since Eden’s garden.  He yearns for peace and satisfaction. It is supplied in Jesus, Jehovah Shalom – “The Lord send peace” [Judges 6:4].

     MAN NEEDS A SAVIOUR.  The diseased soul needs to be healed from the leprosy of sin. What a blessing to know that God is Jehovah Ropheka – “I am the Lord that healeth thee” [Exodus 15:26].

     MAN NEEDS A SANCTIFIER. Redeemed man needs a change from his old sinful ways. What an encouragement to realize the Lord is Jehovah Meqaddeskem  – “I am the Lord that doth sanctify thee” [Exodus 31:13].

     MAN NEEDS A SHEPHERD.  We need a guide from earth to heaven.  Such a guide is Jehovah Rohi – “The Lord is my Shepherd”

     MAN NEEDS A SANCTUARY. Like Abraham we are looking for the Celestial City.  Jehovah Shammah – “The LORD is there” [Ezekiel 48:35].

[See also Exodus 17:15, Psalm7:17 and 24:10].