BITS and PIECES
A random collection of news and views
compiled by Frank McClelland for the
Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
263rd Edition – October 5, 2025
MRS. ISABELLE GLYNN
The Toronto congregation was saddened recently by the death of Isabelle Glynn after a relatively short illness. She and her husband, Ted, attended the church for several years. Her funeral service was held in the church and conducted by the pastor, Dr. Saunders. Originally, Isabelle came from Quebec, and her interment was held there last Thursday. Elder George Robinson and his wife drove the five hundred miles to Quebec City to conduct the service. Our prayerful sympathy goes out to Ted, who, unfortunately, is unwell himself.
SOVEREIGNTY vs. RESPONSIBILITY
The question surfaces, as it did recently, with regard to the events of life: where does God’s sovereignty end and man’s responsibility begin? This is one of those unanswerable questions. God is absolutely sovereign and in charge of all things. Man, on the other hand, has a degree of responsibility for what he does. Where do these imponderables meet?
A simple illustration may help. Standard railway track gauge is 56½ inches. The two rails run parallel to their destination and must always be parallel; otherwise, the train could not run on them. Yet as we stand at one end and look toward the other, the rails seem to be narrower in the distance. This is called linear perspective.
The rails don’t actually meet, but they appear to. Where? Infinity. It is similar to the question before us. Sovereignty and responsibility appear to meet in Infinity, which is God Himself. But if you think you can understand it, you err. God is infinite, and we are but finite creatures.
GODLESS PARENTS
“How many godless parents does God’s pure eye see among you who will one day, if you turn not, meet your neglected children in an eternal hell!” [Robert Murray McCheyne]
DARK CLOUDS CARRY GREAT SHOWERS
“All these things are against me” [Gen.42:36]
Poor Jacob! The circumstances of life were closing in on him.. Joseph, his favourite son, he believed dead. Now when his sons had gone to Egypt to obtain bread, they had encountered a rough and severe governor, one who had asked personal questions regarding his family and especially his youngest son, Benjamin, who had remained at home with his father.
Simeon had been detained as a hostage, and Jacob in his dejection had given up all hope of ever seeing him again. The instruction from Egypt had been clear and precise – bring Benjamin on their next journey or no food would be forthcoming.
To the ancient patriarch, it seemed as if some evil mind was plotting his downfall and that of his entire family. The future looked bleak, the outlook grim. The winds of fate seemed to be driving his frail barque upon the rocks of despair and ruin. He thought, “All these things are against me.”
There are moments in the life of every believer when the thoughts of Jacob are mirrored in his heart. Why has God permitted this to happen to me? Why am I compelled to tread this pathway of disappointment and woe? Like the Psalmist, we ask, “How long wilt thou forget, O Lord? For ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me” [Psalm 13:1].
Yet the plain truth of the matter is that Jacob’s diagnosis of the situation was entirely wrong. All things were not working against him or his family. The exact opposite was taking place.
A loving heavenly Father had His hand upon him for good. Despite Jacob’s faults, fears, and weaknesses, the Lord was working on his behalf and for his benefit. Jacob’s God is alive today. On many occasions, the clouds we dread are only black because they are big with blessings to be showered upon us. [Dr. Bert Cooke].
WHY ART THOU CAST DOWN?
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” [Psalm 42:11].
