Category: history

“Let not your heart be troubled…” “Fear not little flock…” “Do not be anxious…” Jesus told his disciples over and over not to be afraid. The one chosen to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land was given the same instruction: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged…” (Joshua 1:9) Stated positively: “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:6) “Be strong and very courageous…” (Joshua 1:7) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:9)

We come to God weak, weary, broken, and in great need. But God saves us, heals us, changes us, places us in his Son and calls us righteous. With gratitude we say, “Lord, where you lead, I will follow,” but then the enemies that paralyze (anxiety, worry, fear) bombard us without mercy. But God has created us to be ‘more than conquerors’ so He says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid.”

My youngest brother Brian lives in Zambia, a country one of his heroes, David Livingstone, explored in the 1800’s. It is funny to me that our dad Rex and Brian’s youngest son Bryson both share David Livingstone’s birthday, March 19. I am sure Livingstone had his faults, but he seemed to heed the word ‘fear not’ better than most as he explored the southern part of Africa, declaring the Gospel of Christ to numerous tribes and tongues. His journal recounts many narrow escapes. He was charged by a water buffalo, he was charged by a rhino, and he was attacked by a lion. The lion maimed his left arm for life, but he survived. On more than one occasion, he found himself surrounded by fierce warriors, but Livingstone always seemed to find a path to peaceful dialogue. He always shared the saving message of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the most dangerous enemy this missionary faced was the deadly “river fever” we now call malaria. After he died at age 60, two loyal African companions buried his heart in Africa then carried his body to the coast – an eight month journey that covered over 1000 miles. Livingstone’s body was shipped to England in 1874 where he was buried in Westminster Abbey.

So how do we heed the call to live courageously in our day? First, be careful not to judge or criticize others in their efforts to defeat fear. If you’ve never been charged by a water buffalo, you probably don’t know how you’ll react. If you’ve never stood at the brink of financial ruin, you probably don’t realize the gut-wrenching feelings that overwhelm. If you’ve never encountered a life-threatening disease, you probably don’t understand the emotions that are sure to surface. Only God’s grace allows us to overcome and his powerful Word encourages us.

Accompanying the command to be courageous, Joshua was told to firmly hold to the written Word of God. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) “Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path,” the Psalmist wrote. When available, David Livingstone took quinine or other concoctions to combat river fever. Often, though, he had no medicine save the one he found in Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” No matter how bad he felt, he tried to keep going with as positive an attitude as possible. Over a period of thirty-two years in Africa, without car or plane, he traveled nearly 40,000 miles.

Also accompanying the command to be courageous was a great promise: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) I’m convinced this is what gave Joshua the courage to be ‘more than a conqueror.’ “I am not alone. He is with me!” Isn’t this the promise Jesus gives us? He does not say, “Don’t be afraid… and by the way, you’re on your own.” He says, “I’m not leaving you alone. You do not need to worry or fear because I am with you! Believe this and live with great courage and strength!”

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

A re-test of the protein count I reported last week revealed an error. Instead of the level dropping from 1.3 to .5, it had actually increased to 1.8. After receiving so many words of encouragement and hearing so many praises lifted to our Father in Heaven, it is a little disappointing to send out bad news, but I know we would all rather deal with factual reports than false ones. No matter what report we receive from a doctor, these things I mentioned last week remain true: God is faithful, the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective, and the Father is worthy of all praise. I’m in the middle of another round of chemo before our trip to Africa, so we treasure your prayers.

Our Namibian mission team went to see the movie AMAZING GRACE this past weekend. This is the powerful story of William Wilberforce and his battle to end the British slave trade. As a young lawmaker, William sometimes went to talk to an aging minister he respected as a man of God. This pastor, John Newton, had inside knowledge about the slave trade because of his own involvement before he was saved. One of the most famous hymns of all time was written by a “chief of sinners.” If you get to see the movie, you’ll be moved by the attitude of John Newton and you’ll be motivated by the perseverance of William Wilberforce.

The greatest explanation of the Gospel of Christ was written by another man who called himself “the chief of sinners.” Jesus rescued Saul of Tarsus and molded him into his own image. Paul, John Newton, William Wilberforce, you, and me are forever indebted to the One who gave his life that we might be reconciled to the Father. By grace we are saved, by grace we are called, by grace we learn to persevere, and by grace we finish the race.

We are foolish when we treat God’s grace haphazardly. We can never use such a gift as a license to sin. The German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer boldly disclaimed the idea of “cheap grace.” The wise know we are in need of God’s grace every day and in every season of life. As Saul entered the Kingdom of God, the Lord told his servant, Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” By grace he was saved, by grace he was chosen, and by grace he endured the suffering. By grace William Wilberforce was saved, by grace he was given an assignment to bring justice to the world, and by grace he endured criticism, setbacks, health struggles, and every temptation to quit. With joy, John Newton wrote, “I once was blind but now I see,” but what did he think when he lost his physical eyesight? What did he sing as he approached death’s door? Oh to hold to God’s solid word: “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Is it easier to receive a good report from the doctor or a bad one? When is grace most amazing? I was not most impressed that William Wilberforce passionately hated slavery. The Golden Rule should lead us all to despise injustice. What shines in the two hundred year old story of an English politician is the fact that he never gave up! What shines in the story of the ex-Pharisee who lost all for the Gospel is the fact that he seemed to grow stronger in faith the more hardships he endured. We sing the chorus: “Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!” Amazing grace is how we stand.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:1-5

I’m teaching a U.S. History class this year, a subject I’ve always loved. Lately, I’ve considered the moral challenges that confront each generation. The “Roaring 20’s” brought an alarming increase in immodesty in American society. There was also great debate about alcohol use in our country. In fact, in 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment banned the production, sale, or import of alcoholic beverages. In 1925, a highly publicized trial pitted Bible-believing, William Jennings Bryan, against Clarence Darrow, who argued that his client should be allowed to teach evolution. The Scopes “Monkey” Trial in Dayton, Tennessee was the first trial ever broadcast over American radio.

A generation later came the “baby boomers”. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, a tumultuous time where rebellion seemed to explode across the land. “Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n Roll” was the theme of young people in search for the meaning of life. The thought of “free love” was promoted as musicians sang such lines as: “If you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with…” Of course, “free love” has led to more disease, brokenness, and pain than anyone could have ever predicted. The devil doesn’t usually advertise the result of his lies. In 1962, the Supreme Court ruled that it was unconstitutional to lead public prayer in public schools.

The kids I teach are growing up in the 2000’s. They’ve seen their share of Court rulings about God’s name. Drugs and alcohol are still around, and the world’s teaching about sexuality has grown cloudier and cloudier with the prominent theme being that “nothing is wrong.” I don’t think it’s an easy time to be a teenager.

So where is the hope?

The hope for today is the same as the hope for one who grew up in the 60’s, or the 20’s, or any generation – Jesus. He says, “If the whole world becomes immodest, you keep your eyes on Me and obey Me and I’ll take care of you. If the whole world gets high and says ‘free love’ is the way to go, you listen to Me and believe that I am the way. If the whole world says any lifestyle is OK and you should simply do as you please, trust that I know what will bring you true happiness and follow Me. If the whole world says that I don’t exist, remember the fool has said in his heart there is no God. Don’t listen to fools.”

To those of any generation who believe in Him, Jesus says: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:31-32

And to those of any generation who reject Him (even those who claim to know God), Jesus says: “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and am now here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:42-44

I recently watched the movie, LUTHER, and was reminded afresh of the war in the spiritual world. Martin Luther, an imperfect man, came to a life-changing realization: CHRIST IS EVERYTHING. No wonder chaos broke out. No wonder a price was put on Luther’s head. No wonder a fire blazed across the world.

It is the truth of Christ that causes the devil to rage and the kingdoms of this world to fight. Christ demands our kingdoms fall… and how we love our kingdoms. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day would not entertain the thought of giving up control. No evidence of miracles, knowledge of Scripture, or insight into the heart of God would change their minds. “This man must be destroyed or our whole world will change!” So, without knowing his prophetic message, the high priest, Caiaphas, declared, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (see John 11:45-53)

This same spirit opposed Luther. “If people embrace this man’s preaching about indulgences, we’ll lose our income! If the common man reads Scripture in his own language, we’ll lose control!” The same spirit is at work in many parts of China today, where preaching from the book of Revelation is outlawed, because a King higher than any world government is proclaimed to have supreme authority. The same spirit creates havoc when a child of God declares truth that may not line up with man’s teaching within a denomination. James revealed the weapon most often used in our land: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

So if the battle is not against flesh and blood, what do the forces of evil in heavenly realms most fear? Is it not the message of Christ? “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly!” “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” The Law cannot save… “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Put aside man’s traditions and run to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And when the devil raises his ugly head, tell him you will not fear… for your Redeemer lives.

In a powerful scene in the movie, Martin Luther, declared the truth that echoes throughout eternity. “If we truly believe that Christ is our Savior, then we have a God of love! And to see in faith is to look upon His friendly heart. So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and Hell, say this: “I admit I deserve death and Hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27