Marching Orders for the Last Days

 ⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. 

The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, 

being patient about it, 

until it gets the early and late rains.  

⁸ You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, 

for the coming of the Lord is near.  

⁹ Do not complain, brethren, against one another,  

so that you yourselves may not be judged; 

behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 

(James 5:7-9 NASU). 

                                        Be Patient like the Farmer

The above verses were part of my Bible reading this morning. Such a timely reminder from James, the Lord's brother for the day in which we live.

The Apostle Paul wrote similar words to his young disciple, Timothy: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come (2 Timothy 3:1 NASU).

Are the times we live in difficult? Indeed they are. We are living in the day of a pandemic from a virus that has no certain prevention or treatment. Natural disasters are many and deadly; uncontrolled forest fires in California and hurricanes out of the Atlantic Ocean take lives and homes. Swarms of tornados in the Midwest and the South; Tension and war between nations; Israel surrounded by enemies and threatened by terrorism; rampant immorality around the world; racial tension, protests, riots, and looting in the cities of America; the most contentious presidential campaign in my lifetime; and a president who is ill with Covid 19—these are perilous times. Anxiety and stress are at record levels and suicides are increasing.

What am I, a follower of Jesus, supposed to do in these days? Jesus was asked a similar question by His enemies. A Pharisee asked Him, “What is the greatest commandment?” He might as well have asked, “What is the most important thing I must do to please God?” Jesus gave an answer that echoes down to our day. His words are our marching orders today, tomorrow, and until He returns. In Matthew 22:37-40 we read His answer.

“  ³⁷ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  ³⁸ This is the great and first commandment.  ³⁹ And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  ⁴⁰  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Our Commander has given us marching orders for these last days. First of all, while He walked among us Jesus said, “Love the Lord; love your neighbor!" Look around you, beloved friends, do you see believers loving God and loving each other? How about you, are you loving God and loving your brothers and sisters in the Lord and your unbelieving friends? Sometimes God’s people focus less on the message of the Bible and more on the message of division found in the news and social media? 

The first order for our journey toward godliness is love and that love should reach out, not only to our friends but also to those whom we perceive as enemies. It should reach to those who wear masks and to those who do not wear masks. It should reach to those who are on the right side of the political aisle and those who are on the left. It should reach out to those whose words we agree with and those whose words we believe to be false. Love is the key that makes the life of every believer shine. It is the only action (and it is an action, not an emotion!) that can change the world

James gives us a second mandate for these last days. He says, “Be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.” We are to wait like a farmer waits for his crop to be ready for harvest. He must wait patiently for the rain to come at its proper time. He must be patient when the rains are delayed or when they come at a time that threatens his crop. He cannot hurry the harvest or it will be worthless. Do you find patient waiting easy? I surely don’t. 

And then James gets even more meddlesome. He says, “Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.” I hear a lot of complaining these days. There is complaining about people telling us what to do: wear masks; social distance; close your business; don’t sing in your worship; okay, you can sing but only if you meet outside; And on and on it goes. I will not express my opinion about any of these things. However, I will go back to James’ advice and remind you that whatever position you take, you must love, be patient, and not complain against your brother who may see things differently than you do. This difficult time is a time to come together in love, not a time to create division and alienation within the Body of Christ.

The Lord’s coming is soon. The Judge is standing at the door. God’s got all the disasters of our world under His direct control. He has His hand on President Trump as he works from the hospital and He has already decided who will be President of the United States for the next four years. We may or may not get the president we want, but we will get the person who will accomplish God’s plan for this nation.

Now, imagine with me what would happen if every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ would demonstrate love and patience and train his tongue not to complain. Would our world be transformed? Indeed it would. Of course, you and I can’t change the behavior of other Christian brothers and sisters, but by God’s grace and with His resurrection power we can be obedient to the Word of God. We can love God and others, and we can be patient and quit complaining.

By the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells me, I intend to walk in love and obedience and I ask God to hold my tongue when the thought to complain enters my head. How about you? Will you join me?

God's people worship together at Ripon Grace, Ripon, California

UNDER THE BIG OAK TREE

Many years ago when my Grandma Grover (Ida) was residing in a skilled nursing facility because of age related disabilities, I visited her there almost every day. It was good for me and it was good for her. I took my current crochet project and sat and chatted with her while she lay in her bed unable to get up or even sit up straight. Occasionally a nurse or an aide would stop by to see how she was and she would tell them, "This is my granddaughter; we're just keeping company." 

Today I'm sitting at my computer wishing I could go "keep company" with Grandma for one more afternoon, but she has graduated from her earth-life. There are many saints who lie out in the graveyard on Dakota Avenue in Modesto whom I would love to "keep company" with one more time. My son, Stephen, my best friend, Linda, Aunt Mary Ellen (who was like a second mother to me when my mother was ill), my dad and mom, and many others lie there. It's too late--such sad words.

But when I leave my computer I will go to keep company with my very best friend, Jesus. I meet Him many places and carry Him with me always, but one of my favorite places to meet Him is under the Big Oak Tree in Wilma Park. It's a wonderful prayer place. Our back gate opens to the park and because of the Covid-19 pandemic I usually have the park all to myself. I take a lawn chair and open it in the shade of that lovely tree, and then I relax, breath deeply, and meet my Savior. 

The temperature is usually 10-20 degrees cooler there in the shade of the big oak--very comfortable. My foot will be on a stool, (still recovering from my broken leg). My Bible (on the phone) will be in my hands, and I will be spending a little time talking to Jesus and hearing from Him through His Word. 

It's not quiet there under the Oak Tree; there's a scrub jay somewhere in the top of that big tree that calls to me. The jays are not happy when I'm sharing their space. They show their displeasure by flying low over our swimming pool. Our great-grandson loves to watch them zoom dive us. I don't mind sharing the Big Oak Tree with them. I  praise God as I watch them for the gracefulness with which He has created them. 

The times with loved ones are precious but limited. We will all die physically someday. But time with my Savior Jesus Christ will never end. The author of the book of Hebrews says, ". . . but he holds his priesthood permanently because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:24-25). Jesus won't ever die and He is forever carrying my needs and yours before the Father in Heaven.

If you are anxious and depressed about the times we live in, perhaps you need to find a spot (it can be inside or outside, your choice) where you can keep company with Jesus. He promises that He will meet you there. You can talk to Him about anything--the big things and the little things--He cares about everything that touches His children. You can trust Him! He is eager for you to find a moment or two in your busy schedule to spend time with Him. If you are like me, easily distracted by laundry, dishes, or a dirty kitchen floor 😕, maybe you need to find a spot like my prayer tree to meet with your forever Friend. 

He is waiting for you today. You can depend on His faithfulness. When all the world seems to be collapsing around you, He is a firm foundation, a stronghold that cannot be shaken.

 

If you see me under the Big Oak Tree and you need to talk, stop and join me. We'll keep company with Jesus together, social distancing and masks included. 💙

His Servant  Lois

"FOR HE LOVES US"

It was an uncertain time for the Jewish people. Think about it! How would you like to wander around and around in the wilderness for 40 years, setting up your tent only to tear it down and move on. How would you like to bury all of your grandparents, fathers, and mothers in the sands of the desert in unmarked graves?  Finally the time comes to cross the Jordan River, which is in flood stage, and face the kings of Canaan. You are exited but terrified! 

It was, indeed, a scary time. There were giants in the land, well-fortified cities, and strong armies. The people of Canaan would be fighting for their homes and for their lives. In spite of all the uncertainty and fear, Joshua led the people to victory and settled them in Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey. 

It had been a long and difficult struggle, a time of violence and war, but they were home. Perhaps some of them patted themselves on the back and bragged about the strength of their armies and the bravery of their soldiers.

Many years later one of the music directors at the temple in Jerusalem pinned these lines to describe the time of the conquest of Canaan:

 "It was not by their sword 

that they won the land,

nor did their arm 

bring them victory;

it was your right hand, your arm,

and the light of your face, 

for you loved them." 

(Psalm 44:3 NIV)

Today we face frightening times. We are struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic; people are dying. We are facing massive wildfires in the west, strong hurricanes in the south, protests, riots, and looting in our biggest cities, political division, and tornados in the Midwest. Believers around the world are being martyred for their faith. Many of the things facing us are beyond our control. What to do? Can we depend on politicians to solve our problems? Can we worry the issues away? Will we succumb to depression, belligerence, or fatalism?

There is only one solution to the big issues of 2020 and the solution does not lie in us. It lies in the loving hands of a faithful God. We will not win the victory because of how smart or strong or determined we are. We will be victorious because our God has a strong arm to save. He turns His face to us and we have light and joy. He rescues us because He loves us!

We can rest securely through every disaster because our God is able to hold us in His right hand of power. He is able to save us through the Lord Jesus Christ who became one of us and understands what it is like to live in our world. We have assurance and comfort through God the Holy Spirit who actually lives in us and feels with us every concern and anxiety. We are well protected by the Triune God.

We can rest in Him. 

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest. 

 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

 For my yoke is easy 

and my burden is light." 

(Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)