Bits and Pieces – 66th Edition – June 6, 2021

“Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he” Proverbs 16:20

How precious is the grace of faith!  It is the gift of God.  Faith unites us to Christ. “Other graces make us like Christ; faith makes us members of Christ” [Thomas Watson].  It is a saving grace. “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” Luke 7:50.  Happy indeed are those who, because they have been justified by faith, have peace with God.

The feet of faith take us in the ways of the Lord, ways of pleasantness and peace.  The voice of faith cries out in the storm, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee” Psalm 56:3. After all, as Thomas Kelly said, “God is at the helm.” The eye of faith pierces through the darkest cloud and judges, not the Lord by feeble sense but trusts Him for His grace, believing that behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.  The mouth of faith draws forth sweetness out of the flowers of promise, those exceeding great and precious promises.

The prayer of faith delivers from fretting care by casting every burden upon the Lord.  C.H. Spurgeon put it beautifully: “Faith lays a cool hand upon a burning brow, and removes the fever of the fearful heart.” [Rev. Michael Patrick]

“Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee.” Isaiah 26:3

This week’s big news has been the discovery of a mass grave of 215 indigenous children in Kamloops, British Columbia.  Using advanced technology, they were located on the grounds of the Roman Catholic residential school.  It is expected that similar graves may be found in other school sites.

The sins of the residential schools have been a festering sore in Canadian history.  The Roman Catholic Church operated 70% of these schools, and others by the Anglican and United Churches.   The latter two have publicly apologized for any wrongdoing, but the Roman Catholic Church has steadfastly refused to admit any wrong on its part.

In his weekly Sunday speeches, the Pope is never slow to condemn the atrocities of other nations, but in this case, he has never uttered one word of sorrow or apologized for the sins within his church.   Some have suggested that the Roman church is afraid of the possible ensuing huge financial settlements that would bankrupt it.  The Canadian Prime Minister, a Roman Catholic, expressed sorrow, but it will take more than words to get out of this predicament.  Rome must come clean.

It is interesting to examine the twelve disciples our Lord Jesus Christ chose to be with Him and ordained to His service.  In His inscrutable wisdom, the Lord chose men from all walks of life and a wide variety of backgrounds.

Christ chose Peter, James, and John from a fisherman’s boat.  They were “unlearned and ignorant men” Acts 4:13, but Christ chose them.  Matthew occupied a place in a rather seamy side of the business world.  Yet God chose him for He had a work for him to do, chiefly to write the Gospel that bears his name.

Christ chose Thomas, a man of doubting disposition whom the risen Christ persuaded to confess, “my Lord and my God” John 20:28. He chose Simon Zelotes from an extreme anti-Roman wing of Jewry.  Full of burning zeal, Simon had been prepared to kill in his nation’s cause, but Christ transformed his carnal behaviour into spiritual zeal. Jesus chose others among the twelve of whom we know little, men such as Bartholomew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Judas, the brother of James.  But God knew them, called them, and used them.

God has chosen us and has work for us to do. Some He calls to serve in a place of prominence; others He calls to labour inconspicuously. Most of us are in the latter category.  However, though we may serve without the notice or acclaim of man, we cannot be in a better place than the centre of God’s will.  Seek not great things for yourself.  Be content to serve as and where He ordains.

     Remember that to have any place in the service of Christ is an unspeakable honour. So labour that, whatever your calling, you may receive His “Well done, good and faithful servant” [Rev. James Beggs].

“Surely the essence of wisdom is that before we act…we should discover what it is that God has to say about the matter.” [Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones]