Trust in the Lord

By Jeff Curtis

Immoral actions often prompt situations that are even more immoral and unacceptable. In Judges 20 and 21 an account is given where Israel was faced with a horrible rape and murder. However, their response led to a terrible civil war and the killing of women and children. After those events, Israel confronted the possible extinction of one of the tribes. Their efforts to address the problem resulted in more deaths, kidnapping and intimidation. A bad response to a bad situation doesn’t result in good.

Judges 20 and 21 should remind the church to take care in how people react when something terrible or immoral occurs. The story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 describes a more positive response to bad events. Joseph set a better example when he told his brothers, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive” (Genesis 50:20). A tragic event, an immoral act, or a horrible situation doesn’t mean the world is outside of God’s control. God can work good in any situation.

The difference between the Israelites in Judge 19-21 and Joseph in Gensis is a willingness to find direction in God’s instructions. Doing what is right in one’s own eyes often makes the matter worse. Doing what is right in one’s own eyes while claiming it is God’s will deepen the moral dilemma.

Humans, even Christians, will sin and create moral dilemmas. Only through dependence on God can troubles and immorality be curtailed. Then work can be started toward healing and restoring fellowship with God. As a wise man once said,

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God has the power to help us if we will only trust in Him and seek His guidance.

Marching to Zion

by Kyle Campbell

Zion is often described as a “hill”, no doubt, in reference to the temple being built on the hill of Zion (Psalm 2:6; 3:4; 15:1; 43:3; 99:9). Zion, which probably means “citadel”, occurs over 150 times in the

Old Testament. It was one of the hills, located in the southeast section, on which Jerusalem stood (i.e., Acra, Bezetha, Moriah, Olivet, Ophel, Scopus, and Zion).

David brought the ark to Zion, and the hill henceforth became sacred (2 Sam. 6:10-12). When Solomon later moved the ark to the temple on nearby Mt. Moriah, the name Zion was extended to take in the temple (Is. 8:18; 18:7; 24:23; Joel 3:17), and it was looked on by the people as the dwelling place of God. Zion later came to stand for all of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:21; Ps. 133:3).

Zion played an important role in the Messianic prophecies of the Old Testament (Ps. 2:6; 110:2; Joel 2:32; Is. 61:3). In one sense, the redeemed have reached Zion, the church, pointed to by the prophets (Rev. 14:1). In another sense, Zion still lies ahead (Rev. 21:2), and we’re marching to it.

Observations on Worship

By Jeff Curtis

More than any other passage, 1Corinthians 14 gives an insight into what New Testament Christians did when they assembled. Christians today might wish for a passage that begins, “When you assemble on the first day of the week, you are to do this…,” followed by a step-by-step approach. For his own reasons, God has not chosen to set the worship before us in that way. Here is what we may safely say. (1) In the New Testament period, Christians were guided by apostolic revelation to meet on each Lord’s Day (1Corinthians 11:20; 16:2). (2) During the assembly Christians observed the Lord’s Supper (11:20-26; Acts 20:7), sang, prayed, and learned the gospel message as it was taught by inspired men (14:26). In addition, they gave according to their ability (16:2).

Christian assembly is a door that God has opened so we can answer His call and respond to our Creator. We are mystified by life and by the great universe in which we live. Experience had taught us that we are fragile creatures; tomorrow is uncertain. Through worship, we commune with the Creator, the Eternal One. None of us knows how to have a relationship with God or other people in the absence of giving, receiving, and sharing. We give to people we love. We share with them our words, our presence, out time, and our belongings. Relationships require interaction. It’s no different with God. Worship is the means God has ordained so that we can interact with Him.

Worship, like all other things people do, is tainted with sin. No one has been endowed with a sinless purity of soul that allows him to know instinctively how to honor and praise God. To worship God requires that believers listen to Him and worship as He directs. It’s easy to allow what we intend as worship to denigrate into self-praise for our own glory. If we are to offer our worship to God, we must listen to what He wants us to do.

By His grace, God accepts our feeble praise. God welcomes our gift of worship when we try to honor Him. Many don’t try; many seem unmindful of Him. When we, as Christians give our best in worship, good results will happen. God refines our worship. His Spirit works within us and teaches us to pray and to honor Him. Alexander Graham Bell wasn’t trying to invent a telephone when he discovered the form of communication was possible. His wife was nearly deaf, and he was trying to develop a way to convert sound into some type symbols she could interpret.

The inventor learned by accident that sound should be carried over wires. Bell wasn’t trying to make a telephone, but he was doing something when he made his discovery. When we do something, we listen to God and try to worship Him, by God’s grace good things come from our efforts. Even with all our sins and inadequacies, God is pleased when we worship Him.