Faith in times of Crisis

 Psalm 36: 5-10. New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA). Of David, the servant of the Lord.

5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
    your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
    your judgements are like the great deep;
    you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.

7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
    All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
    and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
    in your light we see light.

10 O continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
    and your salvation to the upright of heart!

John 8:31,32 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA).

31 Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ 

Meditation by Dr J P Hunter

With the re-opening of church buildings and also of St Nicholas, this series “Faith in Times of Crisis” comes to an end. Thus, we focus this week on the word continue. David, in his close relationship with God, had personally experienced God’s steadfast love, faithfulness and righteousness, saving humans, summarising this as “For with you is the fountain of life”. With all this precious experience in mind, David asks one thing of God: O continue your steadfast love to those who know you, requesting that God would not take away his life-giving love to those who know him, but continue.

Hundreds of years later, Jesus said to believing Jewish people: ‘If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ Jesus emphasised to believing Jewish people at that time to continue seeking him and live according to his word. Jesus emphasises to you and me in our time to continue to seek his presence on a daily basis by reading his word, by spending time in his presence in quiet prayer, in worship to him in hymn or song. Then we will discover and know the truth about our human lives and this costly truth will set us free. Free from the consequences of sin to become all that God meant us to be. We should continue.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, as I come to seek your presence, I am grateful for this day, for life, for light and for my family.

I am grateful that church buildings are able to re-open their doors but am aware that some of us are unable to attend in person, but are there with us in spirit.

Lord Jesus, ever present Spirit of Truth, help me to take away all that prevents me from becoming more and more aware of your inward presence in me. Help me to live more and more with you and for you. Teach me how to daily walk close to you in your continued presence. As I choose to continue to live in truth with you. Amen.

Hymn – Hymns & Psalms 294, verse 2.

2. Spirit of truth within me,

    Possess my thought and mind;

    Lighten anew the inward eye

    By Satan rendered blind;

    Shine on the words that wisdom speaks,

    And grant me power to see

    The truth made known to all in Christ,

    And in that truth be free.                                                                             Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926)