Part 27
25 Aug 2021
The Time to Resist is Now
Dear friends
The world in which we live today is dominated by a spirit of fear. Wherever we turn, we are bombarded with images and news feeds full of war, famine, and pestilence.
In such a world saturated by such a spirit, faith in Christ, is, amongst other things, to take hold of the word of our Lord who tells us to fear not. As such, faith is an act of resistance, resistance in the face of the spirit of the age as we refuse to be conformed to the patterns of this world.
That act of resistance must first take place in our own hearts before it can take root in our families, church families, and communities
In order to live for Christ we must put aside our fears of various kinds. To live for Him is to pursue a different vision by different values, it is to live for different ends by different means, and all of this because we belong to a different kingdom ruled by a different King.
Our King is the one of whom the Psalmist says
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” - Psalm 27:1-3
This is the kind of faith the world so desperately needs to see on display today. A confidence that says though the wind, storms, and seas rage against me I will not be moved because my life is anchored to the Rock who is higher than I. Not self confidence that is born of the flesh, but confidence in Christ, in His word, and in His promises, confidence that is born of the Spirit.
While those of this world faint for the fear of sickness and death, we have the blessed assurance that we will dwell in the house of the Lord and behold His beauty. In the face of all that besets us in this life He will lift up our heads and we will sing with joy and to the eternal praise of His name “It is well with my soul”.
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come
Let this blest assurance control
That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate
And has shed His own blood for my soul
My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought (a thought)
My sin, not in part, but the whole (every bit, every bit, all of it)
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more (yes!)
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Sing up to Jesus, it is well!
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Dear friends let this be a day where we take hold of these words in our own hearts that we may hold fast to the Head who is Christ our Lord.
In the face of spirit of fear that has taken root in the heart of the watching world may peace like a river attend all our ways, not peace as the word knows it, but peace that flows only from the font of all blessing which is Christ.
Brothers and sisters, we can be of good courage in the sure knowledge that He will strengthen our hearts as we wait on the Lord.
May the Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you, wherever you are, and whatever you may be facing.