The longer one lives, the shorter life seems to become. It’s an obvious realization, of course, but it should move us not only to rejoice in each day as it comes, and also be ready to meet our Lord in case it is our last.
A week ago the residents of Hawaii heard the announcement that a nuclear armed missile was approaching their islands and would be there in minutes. Fortunately it was a false alarm, but hearing it greatly jarred the Islanders from the safety of their normal lives. It must have taken hours and even days, to shake off their fear and trembling.
Similar events can also cause us to be badly shaken. Fires that burn homes and mudslides that bury people, terrible auto accidents that take lives, loss of badly needed jobs when stores close, multiple murders by a neighbor or a dozen children imprisoned in squalor by their parents. Any of these can shake a person to the roots.
An aged pastor, speaking privately to friends, related how depressed he was when his native Germany was destroyed by war. He’d been part of the Hitler Youth, but realized he was duped by the Nazis. He moved to Canada, studied to become a teacher but felt his life empty, and he became fearful of nuclear war. Coming to America, he idolized President Kennedy, but was devastated by his murder as well as that of Martin Luther King.
“The music of the sixties almost destroyed my soul,” he recalled, “but God saved me through a Bible verse.” It was Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’.” Realizing this truth of Jesus and praying for guidance, he entered a Lutheran seminary and became a pastor, serving several decades in the Midwest.
Recent governmental politics may be disturbing, but the passage I heard a pastor read yesterday at worship was helpful: “What business is it of ours to judge those outside the church? Stick with those inside the church. God will judge those outside.” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). The Bible is full of God’s promises, reminders that His compassion never fails, but is new every morning.
Thank You, Father God, for Your justice and mercy.
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.come
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