Manna in the Morning

Amy Carmichael was a missionary to South India. Had she never experienced suffering, her name would probably not be well known today. She spent 56 years on the mission field and never returned home to England on furlough. An accident damaged her leg and left her bedridden for the last 20 years of her life. It was during these years in bed that she wrote most of her 40 books. God used her experience of suffering to bring encouragement to millions of people. It was her understanding of God’s ability to fulfill the promise of Romans 8:28 that led Miss Carmichael to write, “A wise master never wastes his servant’s time.” In other words, no matter what set of circumstances we receive, God will not waste an experience if we remain obedient to him. The promise of Romans 8:28 is, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Whatever your find yourself dealing with today... remember... God can use it for your good and His glory.

I was intrigued recently by some comments by John Alexander who approaches things from a little different perspective in what he calls “The Other Side.” He writes, “to deny sin is bad news, indeed. The only good news is sin itself. Sin is the best news there is, the best news there could be in our predicament.

“Because with sin, there’s a way out. There’s the possibility of repentance. You can’t repent of confusion or psychological flaws inflicted by your parents—you’re stuck with them. But you can repent of sin.

“Sin and repentance are the only grounds for hope and joy. The grounds for reconciled relationship. You can be born again.”

John’s approach to our predicament reminds me of something that Billy Sunday said in a revival meeting: “A sinner can repent... but, stupid is forever!” 

So, you see there is wonderful news for me and you and everybody... yes, we are sinners... but through and because of Jesus Christ there is good news... through Him we can be forgiven... we can be born again! Remember Paul’s word in Romans 5:6, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.”

It is reported that Gertrude Stein asked on her deathbed, “What is the answer?” Then, after a long silence asked, “What is the question?” When one reads the Bible a number of very important questions become known. Such as, “What is man profited if he gain the whole world but loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26) “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) “What is truth?” (John 18:38) “What does a man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:3)“Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29) “What shall I do with him you call the King of the Jews?” (Mark 15:12) “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25) We would do well to ponder and respond to the questions that the Bible raises. There is coming a day when all questions will have been asked and all the answers will have been given. Don’t be caught with unanswered questions. Jesus is the final answer!

Once again we turn to Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 12 verses 9-13 for what William Barclay calls “the Christian Life in Everyday Action.” It is a very appropriate title for this inspiring section of Scripture because it touches so much of what we face each and everyday. The last exhortation in verse twelve is to be “patient in affliction.” Another translation suggests that we “meet tribulation with triumphant fortitude.” I like that. Encountering troubles and trials is not a matter of “if” but “when.” The way of our journey is not always easy... sometimes there are bumps in the road. The day of our travel is not always sunny... sometimes the storms come. The path that we take in following Jesus is often met with adversity. When trials come we have a choice. We can either be beaten and discouraged or we can face the trial with a sense of victory because of our triumphant faith in Christ. Jesus once said, “In the world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33) Everything may not go the way we want it to today but with faith in God it can go His way! Today is Friday... that means Sunday’s coming. Be in church with the gathered body of Christ on the Lord’s Day and celebrate the victories that He has won for us!

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome about the kind of living that is required of Christians for day in and day out commitment. Part of what he said in Romans 12 was, “Rejoice in hope.” Someone has said that one of the main things our world is really short on is “hope.” But because of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ we have the hope that will carry us through any valley. Earthquakes may hit... tsunamis may barge in... death may rear its ugly head and life sometimes is very difficult... but we have much to hope about. This life may have its trials and troubles but God is greater. We may have to deal with burdens and difficulties but God is greater! It may look like evil is winning the day... but God is greater! Satan may win some battles but he will not win the war! Jesus conquered death and in doing so conquered Satan and his plans... so we can truly “rejoice in hope!” There is no reason to despair... God will have the victory and those who are His will share in it. So today make up your mind to “rejoice in hope!”

In Romans 12:9-13 Paul describes Everyday Living for those who follow Jesus. We are exhorted to love in a genuine manner and to recognize the difference between good and evil. Paul encourages us to be fervent in our approach to living for God and the last thing he says in verse 11 is “serving the Lord.” Now it may be that Paul was saying that our service to the Lord should be with a fervent spirit and not just a mediocre, ho-hum attitude. But I think this exhortation can also stand on its own. As followers of Christ we are to be devoted to the manner of serving Him. I am not referring to what we do on Sunday as the corporate church is gathered for Study and Worship. I am thinking that this is to be an everyday experience as we see ways that we can serve the Lord in our jobs... in our play... in our homes... and in our interpersonal contacts with others. It is important that we remember who our “boss” really is. I have on my desk at home a glass plaque that reads, “My Boss is a Jewish Carpenter.” Each time I see that plaque I am reminded of the importance of serving Him wherever I am and whatever I am doing. When we come to the end of our journey it will, after all, be good to hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of thy Master.” So, your day is ahead of you...serve your Lord faithfully.

Have you ever considered what might make God sick? Immediately we may recall that God was heart-sick over the evil that was so prevalent in the days of Noah... so he sent the flood to destroy that evil generation. Maybe you also remember the letter that Jesus directed to the ancient church of Laodicea. To that church Jesus wrote, “Because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” (Rev. 3:16) Obviously Jesus is not impressed with a tepid expression of one’s relationship with Him. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, “be fervent in spirit.” (Romans 12:11b) Sadly many people look down on any form of enthusiasm unless it is for their sports team. When it comes to matters of faith too often the battle-cry is “Who cares?” But the very nature of our relationship to Jesus Christ and all that He has done for us should elicit from us a ready enthusiasm and a fervent spirit and attitude. There are many things in this world of ours that justifiably gets a “ho-hum” from us but our commitment to Christ and our service for Him should not be one of them.

In a real sense there is no room for complacency in the Christian Life. Paul comes at this with a negative in his principles for everyday Christian living when he wrote, “not lagging behind in diligence.” (Romans 12:11a) It’s been quipped that the problem with the modern church is that too many Christians who are merely sitting on the premises when they should be standing on the promises. To be diligent in our walk with Christ means that we will not become lazy in our Christian witness. It means that we will be alert as Peter says, “always ready to give an answer to the hope that is within us.” (I Peter 3:15) You see, there really is no place for mediocrity in the matter of following Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to follow Him and so we need to put forth the effort to “keep up.” We do that with a willingness to stay as close to Him as we can...any lagging behind makes us extremely vulnerable to the Devil and his attacks. So let’s wake up and get going today...pick up the pace, if needed. Jesus is out in front...let’s follow Him.

This week we have been challenged by the basic principles of daily Christian living that Paul put forth in Romans chapter 12. We have already noticed the important emphasis that Paul placed on genuine love to others as well as having clear and defined awareness of the difference between good and evil. Paul also tells that we are to “give preference to one another in honor.” (Romans 12:10b) Now that principle really goes against the grain of the attitude we see in our world. So many are out for #One... numero uno... the “I am the greatest” mentality. But when we look at the life of Jesus He demonstrated that superb quality of humility. Our world fosters the grab for power and prestige... Jesus shows us how to serve and care for others. Our world stresses privilege and status... the Bible teaches living for others even to the measure of sacrifice. The greatest example of genuine humility was when the Creator of the World and the Lord of the Universe one day took a towel and basin and knelt down to wash the feet of others! Let’s show honor to others in our living today.

We have been spending some time this week in the 12th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans. In verse 10 Paul writes, “Be affectionate to one another in brotherly love.” What the Apostle is calling for us to do is to truly care for each other as Christians because we are members of the same family. Within the church we should never treat each other as strangers... we should never have our own little cliques or circles that tend to keep some people at a distance. The Church is not a collection of acquaintances... it is not even just a gathering of friends...it is not a club or company of mutual admirers. it is the family of God. It is a family where needs are met... burdens are shared... hearts are encouraged... spirits are lifted... and joy is shared because we are brothers and sisters... children of one Father... God. In another place Paul said, “This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.” (I Cor. 12:25,26) So today, I urge you to love and care for each other... that fulfills the law of Christ.