Is There Not A Cause?

What is lacking in the world today is a real committal to a cause. People are without direction. Like ships without rudders, tossed to and fro upon the restless waves by every wind of teaching or philosophy. Apathy permeates every echelon of man’s mundane and material existence. Nothing appears worth living or dying for. The question that leapt to the lips of the shepherd boy, David, needs to once more echo among God’s people in our land and in every land upon God’s good earth. The shepherd boy who became the man after God’s own heart cried out, "Is there not a cause?" He then proceeded to do mighty battle in the power of God for the noble cause of the destruction of evil and the preservation of God’s chosen people.  

We seem to once again live in a day similar to the catastrophic day following the era of the Judges of Israel. Anarchy prevails and everyone is doing what is right in his own eyes. Which is normally what is wrong in the eyes of an eternally righteous Almighty God. All seek to be captains of their own souls, masters of their own fates, sailing their own ships and rowing their own canoes down the river of life, with no worthwhile spiritual destination or safe harbour in sight.  

Even Christians seem to be afflicted with the same deadly malady, as they allow this world and it’s god to establish their standards, select their priorities and set their agenda. The failure of Christians to fully commit to Christ and present themselves as living, dedicated sacrifices to His cause, has led to great confusion in the world. 

We are overwhelmed by the moral and ethical crisis threatening to destroy our nation and other nations with cultures previously called Christian. We are confused by the popular philosophies of secular humanism, relativism, situational ethics and post-modernism that have captured the hearts and minds of the masses. We are now seeing a deadly so-called emerging church movement  threatening even evangelical Christianity.  

We are puzzled by the prevailing promiscuity of our society. We are perplexed when the culture cries, "Assert your rights. If it feels good, do it!"

But God is calling for committal today. He is looking for those who will stand up, speak up and won’t be shut up, no matter how powerful the pressure or painful or embarrassing the world’s rejection. Those who will not cave in or succumb to the ridicule or scorn of their peers, the press or politicians. Those who will not be overly concerned about what the mainline or mainstream will think or say about them.  

Those who are more concerned about God’s approval than the acceptance and applause of all the world around them. Yes, God is seeking those who care more about the future of their family, than financial success or failure. Those whose principles are not for purchase at any price. Those who do not mind the world knowing who they are and where they stand. Those who will hold the line against accommodation and compromise whatever the cost. 

Those who take seriously the words of Christ who said, "No man can serve two masters." Because truly, as has been said, "Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide, in the strife "twixt truth and falsehood, for the good or evil side." 

Only as people are truly converted and accept the challenge of true discipleship and the calling to commit their life and living to Christ, will the tides of evil that threaten to inundate and overwhelm our world be effectively countered.

The The Greatest Honors List

Yesterday we celebrated the Queen's birthday as a national holiday in Australia.  On this day each year another group of leaders in Australian national and community life are named on the Queen's Honor List.   Of course, my name is always omitted. Very few names of we ordinary people will ever appear there, but have you ever thought about the greatest honor you have ever been given or could conceivably receive?
For the athlete it might be to be selected to represent his country at the Olympic Games. For the doctor it might be to be named to the College of Surgeons. For the barrister it might be selection to sit on the High Court. For the parent it might be to be named Father or Mother of the year. For simple folk it might be more mundane or simple things. I'll never forget the thrill I felt the first time my name was called to leave the end of the bench I was warming, and play football for my High School team.
But just what is the greatest honor possible for man? We Christians should have little doubt about the matter. The honor of being chosen in Christ Jesus as the eternal sons of the Eternal God far outweighs any attempt by mortal man to give recognition or honor to his fellow man. Accompanying this honor is the additional blessing of being chosen to serve the Sovereign King of the universe.
Did you ever think of just what it really means to be chosen to be a servant of God? The Word of God tells us we have been chosen to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ on planet earth. (II Cor. 5:17-21) This means we are chosen, in Christ's stead, to fully represent the eternal Kingdom of our God on earth.  What an honor!

God also tells us we have been chosen to be living love letters of God's love for man. (II Cor. 3:2-3) What an honor! Jesus Himself said He has chosen us to be his very special and personal witnesses. To give witness to His resurrection and saving power. (Acts 1:8-11) What an honor!
Isn't it wonderful that God has chosen such sinful vessels of mortal clay to bear about the glorious gospel of His Son? Perhaps it is the greatest display of God's marvelous and matchless grace that He chose sinners, saved by that grace, to proclaim the good news of the gospel of grace.
But some might say, what other choice did God have? His choice of saved sinners as His instruments of grace was absolutely necessary. Perhaps so, but I dare say those who say that may be limiting the omnipotence and omniscience of an infinite God. Could not the Sovereign Creator have chosen to paint his gospel in every sky or echo it from every hill in the language of every man, if that had been His eternal will? But instead He has chosen our feet to stand in Christ's stead, our hands to handle His Holy Word and our tongues to tell out His glorious good news! What an honor! Praise be unto our great God!  What an Honor!

The Greatest Marvel Of All

The marvels of the electronic and computer age constantly amaze me. All the talk of the radical changes taking place in the transmission and use of information sometimes could be a bit intimidating to one who can recall the wonder and thrill of the early eras of radio and television. But I am sure some might be surprised that some sixty-five or so years ago I routinely sat at a desk and chatted via a keyboard with other airmen halfway around the world.

Even though I have watched the development of all the wondrous gadgets that bridge these  eras and sometimes might have to ask my son or a grandson to help me along the way, I have never ceased to be impressed.

One area of fascination has been the development and proliferation of radar, satellites, gps and other electronic navigational devices. Man is now able to pinpoint his position to within a few millimetres in a vast sea or in the vastness of space. He can fly giant aircraft automatically with absolute accuracy. (But sometimes seems unable to locate one that has been obviously flown into a disaster.)

He can fly an armed missile through a window from a ship hundreds of miles away. He can send a moon rocket through a window of opportunity with the same accuracy required to hit a fast flying bee with a bullet at a thousand meters.

During the Korean conflict I was involved in military communications. On occasion I worked with those who used what would now be viewed as very primitive Ground- Control Equipment to guide crippled or air medical evacuation planes loaded with wounded to a safe landing. The key to it all was being able to electronically penetrate the thickest cloud or fog and plot a path of safety through the storm.

I will never forget the tenseness of the moment of truth when a plane broke through a very low ceiling and made a safe touch down. Even harder to forget are the few that did not make it. Good guidance was essential and the gratitude expressed by those who received it was really appreciated by those who went through the agony of having the lives of others absolutely dependent upon their ability to accurately use primitive guidance equipment.

All of this has often made me think of the greatest  guidance marvel of all. The infallible ability of the Holy Spirit to guide God's people through the troubles and storms of life. His all seeing eye is in every place beholding both the good and evil. He knows the end from the beginning and all that lies in between. His ability to assure a safe landing and good conclusion has no parallel. There is no cloud of trouble or fog of despair too heavy or storm of life too severe for our paraklete. He is able to work all things together for the good of those who love the Lord.

It is marvelous, but true, that our Lord knows the way in the wilderness of this world and all we have to do is follow! We can be sure He will land us safely on the other side!