There are times when God comes to reason with us. ‘Have I been God to you? Have I done anything worthy of note?’ These are the questions Moses asks Israel as they stand poised between Sinai and their promised land. We tend to live in the light of things that can be seen and controlled but God, who cannot be seen, has left his evidence clearly in our history. His Son has come, and been raised from the dead. We have seen his glory. Can we, like the world, live without God? Can we find love without him? Is there […]

This week we are looking at Deuteronomy 2 and 3 where we hear a little more of Israel’s time in the wilderness, yet, when all the men of war have died, the Lord tells them to be on the move once more towards the Promised Land. As they are directed by the Lord in every way, they are reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness and provision, time and time again. There is no reason whatsoever for Israel to doubt the Lord as they face any opposition, nor to disobey him – it is the Lord himself who fights for them. In […]

This final scene in the story of Jonah depicts the hidden hostilities in our own hearts, causing us to despair of life. Jonah had his reasons for wanting the Ninevites destroyed and as a result was offended by the display of God’s grace. We may also feel justified in wishing calamities on others but no such reasoning can be allowed to stand in the light of the revelation of God’s grace. Despondency and coolness towards God are often a camouflage for deep seated resentment at God’s failure to act in accordance with our view of justice. We see something of […]

In Jonah chapter 3 we hear of God’s call to Jonah – take two. He is graciously given a second opportunity to obey God’s call to preach to Nineveh resulting in the remarkable conversion of this corrupt and violent city. In Jonah 4:1 we discover deflation instead of elation: rather than being overjoyed at the remarkable conversion of a godless city we find Jonah angry and depressed. He cannot stomach mercy being shown to a repentant Nineveh. This recipient of God’s unexpected grace complains bitterly when others are shown similar kindness. This is what happens when prior loyalties and hidden […]

As we look at the second chapter of Jonah this week, we find the prophet was not only reluctant to call out God’s word against Nineveh, but in his guilt and anger is also reluctant to call out to the Lord himself. Not until Jonah reaches the depths of despair – quite literally – do we hear his first words to God. Jonah prays, “when my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord.” However, what he has learned is that the Lord has never forgotten him. Through his own undeserved, miraculous deliverance Jonah has been reminded afresh of the […]

The story of Jonah is more than the story of a prophet who has been swallowed by a big fish. It is the story of our struggle with God and the foolishness of thinking we can get away with it. It is the story of a love that will not let us go but instead mercifully turns us around to do His will. We will see in this brief series that God wants Jonah to not only do His will but to reflect His heart. Not only to proclaim His name but to reflect His character. Unlike Jonah God cares […]

We conclude our series, ‘The Things That Make For Peace’ this Sunday by looking at Philippians 3:17-4:9. From the nations across the globe to the families around us, where there is any sense of peace we feel it is good and right to maintain and guard that peace. Humanity will go to great lengths in order to keep the peace we have. And rightly so, it is part of our mission and mandate from God. However, what we find in this passage from Paul, is that the peace of God guards us! As we rejoice in the Lord and cast […]

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” There are numerous other exhortations and promises relating to the making and pursuing of peace also (eg. Romans 14:17-19; Hebrews 12:7-14 and James 3:13-18). How are we to go about such ‘peace-making’ in the world today? And what resources have we been given to pursue peace here on earth? There is a strong connection in the Scriptures with the making of peace and the matters of sonship, righteousness, wisdom, discipline and grace. These are all ‘kingdom’ matters, and so it […]

This week’s readings come from Psalm 120 and Mark 4:35-41 and I will be preaching on ‘Peace In Times Of Trouble’. So often in difficult situations or times of trouble we are encouraged to ‘look for the silver lining’ or else be assured of ‘the light at the end of the tunnel’. However, as children of the Father, our hope is far greater and more secure than any such counsel. Not only can we be sure that Jesus is able to calm the storm and that one day all the storms of life will cease, we can have peace even […]

Last week we commenced our series, ‘The Things That Make For Peace’. This week we consider the promises of God concerning peace. The peace of God we enjoy today is not some ethereal notion of tranquility, or a delicate balancing act of work, rest and play, but is secure and full of substance. Our present peace is based upon the past promises of God fulfilled in Christ, and is known together with the hope and assurance of the full and future peace to come through him. We can be as sure and certain of this as the name of the […]