TOGETHER WE HAVE STRENGTH

A friend of mine related to me how during World War II a squadron of B-17s was nearly indivisible while flying bombing raids over enemy targets. He mentioned that the enemy fighter planes were in the air constantly but would not attack the squadron because of its firepower. Only when a plane in the squadron became disabled in any manner and fell out of the formation did it become vulnerable to the enemy. Together, the squadron of B-17s protected each other. But when one aircraft lagged behind it was usually destroyed immediately. There is somewhat an analogy contained in this story. When Christians have the moral support of one another it is very difficult for a member to be lost to Satan. However, the Christian who falls behind through indifference and negligence soon becomes easy prey for “the fiery darts of the wicked one”, who “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (Ephesians 6:16; I Peter 5:8). Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, and knowing that man was a social being, provided in His scheme of redemption the bringing together of His people in public assemblies for worship and edification. This is clearly set forth in Hebrews 10:24,25: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” In the light of this context and that is to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”, the exhortation is given, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” In addition to rendering praise and adoration to God, the next important reason given for our assemblies is to exhort one another. It is encouraging and strengthening to the Christian when one is faithful in attendance to the various gatherings of the local church. It is very unlikely that one would ever become unfaithful to God if he/she were present for these assemblies. It isn’t that he/she couldn’t, it is that he/she will not want to leave his/her Lord and His body, the church. But, one of the first signs of a brother or sister becoming unfaithful is the steady decline in the attendance of the various periods of Bible study and worship. When a Christian ‘falls out of the formation’ and begins to lag behind, separating himself from the other members, you can just about know that he/she is going to be ‘shot down’ by the “fiery darts of the wicked one.” While assembling to worship God and to build one another up in the most holy faith is not the sum total of Christianity, it is an essential ingredient in the Christian’s harmonious relationship with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

WHENEVER I AM AFRAID

A few years ago, I heard the late beloved Franklin Camp deliver a moving sermon as one of the speakers on the Faulkner University Lectureship. I believe the theme of the lectureship that year was, “Blessed Assurance”. Brother Camp was referring to various passages of scriptures that had sustained him over the years. He also related that in the month of May, l981, he learned that he had to have open-heart surgery. He said that he had to wait twelve days before he could have surgery. While lying on a hospital bed for that length of time, he thought of the great seriousness of this type of surgery. He admitted that he was afraid, realizing the seriousness of the kind of surgery. He then thought of Psalms 56 that was written by David during a very trying time in his life. David had to flee from the presence of Saul who sought to kill him and he also had to deal with the Philistines who wanted him dead. In this particular psalm, David is seeking the help of God to deliver him from those who sought his life. In verses 3 and 4, David writes, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” Again, in verses 10 and 11, “In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Brother Camp noted that David was a strong man, having killed a lion and a bear while protecting his sheep and had killed Goliath the giant (I Samuel 17). Yet, David said that he was afraid. Brother Camp said that if David could be afraid, so could he. But, the encouragement is to be found in the statement, “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid.” Please note that there seemed to have been a progression from verse 3 when David said “I will trust in You” to verse 11 when he declared “In God I have put my trust”. As I listened to this great man of God confess his fear along with David’s, I thought to myself, if David and brother Camp could be afraid at times, surely I could also be afraid in certain circumstances. But, David said that he trusted in God when he was afraid. And, that trust in the Lord will calm the troubled soul. The word trust is mentioned 74 times in the book of Psalm and carries the idea of leaning on and trusting in someone; to have implicit faith and full confidence in another. In Psalm 46:1 we have these beautiful words, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble…” Again David exclaimed, “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by” (Psalm 57:1). Recently, two of our dear Christian lady friends were diagnosed with breast cancer. The ‘C’ word does not need defining. It is one word that brings fear to our very souls. This passage in Psalm is one that I encouraged these ladies and others to read and meditate on and do as David did: “In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word)” (Psalm 56:4, 10). Our Father has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Go to Him in prayer and leave there your every care and He will uphold you with His everlasting arms. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices; And with my song will I praise Him.” Psalms 28:7

UNDER HIS WINGS

There is the beautiful, thoughtful, contemplative and comforting song, UNDER HIS WINGS, that brings solace and strength to the soul of the believer. Here is the first stanza, along with the chorus: “Under His wings I am safely abiding; Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me; He has redeemed me, and I am His child. Under His wings, under His wings, Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide, Safely abide forever.” No doubt, the lyrics of this hymn were based on some of the scriptures as found in the book of Psalm. In Psalm 91:1-6, we read: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the ]fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.” There are two perils that are mentioned in this passage but the one that I want to emphasize is “ perilous pestilence”. The brief definition of “perilous”, “full of danger or risk.” And the definition of “pestilence” is, “a fatal epidemic disease.” This basically describes the situation we are experiencing in our nation as well in the world. I read recently where three members of a family of four had died due to the coronavirus. Other members of the ‘family reunion’ were also infected with this terrible virus. Over the centuries there have been infectious diseases that have killed great numbers. There was the bubonic plague in the 14 Century wherein “One-fourth of the population of the civilized world perished, the deaths in Europe alone reaching 25,000.000.” And, “The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the deadliest in history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet's population—and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims, including some 675,000 Americans.” In the text of Psalm 91, we find this comforting statement, “And under His wings you shall take refuge.” We have seen pictures of birds sheltering their young under their wings in time of trouble. I personally remember seeing mother hens sheltering their chicks under their wings when danger seemed to be imminent. This metaphor of protection found under “His wings” brings comfort to the heart of the true believer in God. Under His wings we find security, protection and loving care from the storms of life. Whatever we face in life, God will be his children. We should cast all of cares upon Him “for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).