BITS and PIECES
268th Edition – November 9, 2025
A random collection of news and views compiled by Frank McClelland for the Toronto Free Presbyterian Church.
WHAT KINGS DO IN TROUBLOUS TIMES
In 1940 the huge British Expeditionary Force was stranded on the shores of Dunkirk
in France during World War II. They were in dire straits as the enemy surrounded them, and bore down upon them. They were threatened with annihilation.
What did the British do? King George VI called his nation to prayer. On May 26, 1940, the nation went to prayer. The result was what is known as, “The Miracle of Dunkirk” as some 300,000 troops in a mixed armada of ships and boats of all shapes and sizes ferried the soldiers to safety.
What did Charles III do when our present society is in a political mess? He went to pray with the pope thus betraying Protest-antism. Don’t expect any miracles this time.
A MESSAGE FROM GOD FOR YOU
The world’s first gospel telephone service commenced years ago in New York. A preacher was confined to bed by illness when one day the telephone rang. When he answered, the caller said, “Sorry, wrong number.” “No,” replied the preacher spontaneously, “you have not reached a wrong number, I have a message from God for you.” [Judges 3:20]. And he proceeded to give the caller the message of the Gospel. From that small beginning grew a radio ministry that has reached countless thousands in different parts of the world.
“I have a message from God for you.” We Christians should never forget that we are Christ’s witnesses. We have the message the world needs. We often waste our time and effort speaking about earthly inconsequential things, but rarely do we give out our message from God.
Our message is one of God’s judgments upon sin. That was Ehud’s word to Eglon. We cannot expect that it will be popular. This sin-crazed world does not want to hear that God disapproves of its wickedness.
There are many churches and preachers who are all too willing to change the Biblical message to one of modern
ungodliness. But the servant of Christ cannot do that. Our message from God can never be anything but one of God’s judgment on sin.
Without that we can never bring a message of hope to the sinner. Our message from God is that He in love has sent His Son to be the sacrifice to appease God’s wrath against our sins [Romans 3:25].
There is power in the blood of Christ to reconcile the guiltiest sinner to God, thus our message is, “Repent ye and believe the Gospel” [Mark 1:15]. [Dr. Alan Cairns]
TO EVERYTHING A SEASON
“Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?”
The Lord has questioned Job concerning the wonders of the earth and the sea, and the variety of meteorological conditions. Now He turns the eyes of Job to two star groups, Pleiades and Orion, that have special seasonal significance [Job 38:31].
Orion is seen at its best in the autumn and heralds the approach of winter. Pleiades, a cluster of seven stars intensely bright and beautiful, appears in April and announces the coming of spring, the time of bursting forth of life, vitality, and colour.
In Greek, Pleiades is associated with sailing, implying that safe travel on the seas could now be assured. Thus, the Lord is saying to Job, ‘Can you stop the arrival of winter with its frost and snow?” On the other hand, in any year, ‘Can you prevent the sweet approaches of spring?
Every year has its seasons and times that must run their appointed courses. As such, they must be accepted from the hand of our all-wise, all-holy, all-powerful God, who rules and reigns in the affairs of all men and who works all things for the good of those who trust in Him.
Every year has a winter season. No one can halt the bands of Orion. Each year, even in the lives of those who know Christ, there are upsets, trials, disappointments, and days of heartache and trouble. “Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward” [Job 5:7].
Nevertheless, as in the natural, so in the spiritual. Every year has its springtime, and no year is all winter. Orion does not rule forever. Thankfully, as believers, we can experience the “sweet influences of Pleiades.” Our Creator and Redeemer gives us what is meet for every season. [Dr. B. Cooke]
