Page 31 - The Sandbag Times Issue No:53

HAVE FAITH

relative values it is sad that even in the church this relativism
has crept in (2 Tim do read this entire chapter and you shall
see that we have the ultimate yardstick in scripture) – which is
why some modern “wolves in sheeps clothing” like to under-
mine the scriptures today and the last thing they want is for
people of God to be still and contemplate, read, learn scripture.
Come Unto Me all you who are weary - Pt3
Be still – this is written in the imperative – why? Because it is
“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46 GOOD for you. Take time out to read the word of God. Pray on
it, meditate on it. Over time, what was a fear of God becomes
If you read the entire Psalm 46, you will realise that God is a a great deepening love. There are times I sit silence, pray and
God to be feared. Not the marshmallow God that is created by worship my Lord. I feel for his wounds and death for me more
some churches, the type who welcomes anyone and lets any- and more. Frances of Assisi wanted to be like Jesus and emu-
one do what they want – a bit like the parents who let their kids late him in every way to the extent of being obedient to the
run out of control and ruin the peace and quiet of a restaurant word and giving up all his worldly goods, to live like him on
or family gathering (everyone else gritting their teeth). In poverty. Through that the Lord taught him to have a burning
Proverbs 9 we are told the “The fear of the Lord is the begin- love and compassion for the outcast – the lepers and the poor
ning of wisdom.” For years in my teens and early twenties I ran of his day.
astray like the young man who went away with his inheritance.
Then when I was 23 I read in Hebrews about how God is a Like Francis, if you feel like praising the Lord in song then do
jealous God who is not despised and that for some who go so, it is not just for church to do this. Two years after my
completely astray there can be no return. I was terrified that I reawakening at 23 I was walking down a street in South Africa
had lost my salvation but the remembered that even in my singing some hymns and gospel songs. Then suddenly the
youthful wanderings I had always prayed at night and read Lord spoke to me verbally, one sentence, that was all and is
parts of scripture from time to time and on one memorable was of great encouragement to me. Like Samuel I had a quick
occasion I read all four gospels the day before a series of look around (in case it was Eli), there was no one but me and
actions (really a running battle) against terrorists that began the few cars on the road and then I realised with great joy that
that night with an ambush. However I had been the like the it was the Lord. Since then there has been the occasion that
son who had gone astray and came back to my Lord in deep the Lord has come to me in a dream with a message, like once
sorrow. Well that re-awakening taught me a lesson about the a particular verse in scripture glowing gold on a page, I woke
fear of God. Psalm 6 became my personal example of my fear up and wrote the scripture down, collect my thoughts, make a
before God. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither cup of tea then look up the scripture. He speaks to his people
chasten me in thy hot displeasure. in many different ways. Most often it is through scripture and
thus as time goes by you will find you will remember scriptures
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal more and more – one reason why I use the King James Bible
me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but as it is easier for me to memorise like Shakespeare’s plays
thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: than a modern version. For ease of reading I like the Living
oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no Bible.
remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to Be still and know that I am God. Be still and you shall become
swim; I water my couch with my tears. aware of many things that you paid no attention to before. A
wonderful verse from the book of Revelation is “Behold, I stand
Proverbs 3. at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with
evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. me."
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of
all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and A great artist Holman Hunt made a painting of this, here is the
thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not copy of the one in St Pauls Cathedral. It depicts Christ knock-
the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: ing on the door of a person’s mind. This door has remained
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the shut for ages and is overgrown. There is no handle on the out-
son in whom he delighteth. side, it can only be opened from within.
If you have read this and heard these things for the first time,
We have established that with this fear we should depart from then I implore you, can you hear Christ Calling? If so will you
evil, nor should we despise the chastening of the Lord. In his open the door and invite him in? Do not be afraid. If you, like
great love for us he will chasten and correct as a father corrects all good sheep, have gone astray, do you hear him calling for
his own son in whom he delights. But read it again, this is not you. Be still and know that I am God.
just advice, this is written in the imperative. So too “be still”.
Be still and know that I am God. He is not saying “well you can Peace and all Good
do this but don’t bother if you don’t want to”. In today’s world of Brother Andrew Hall (TSSF)

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