Grains of Sand

Charlottetown, PEI “ But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth ” (Exodus 9:16). This was part of a message that Moses was to deliver to Pharaoh. It caught my attention. With all the current horror, or glee, with which we greet those who come into authority over us, there is an overriding truth we need to remember. The Scripture is clear as to Who does the final choosing of those who, for better or worse, are handed the mandate of command over our affairs. Daniel prays this prayer: “ Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things, he knows what lies in darkness and light dwells with him ” (Daniel 2:20-22). Jesus reminded Pilate that his power was limited: “ Jesus answered, ‘You would have no power over me if i...

Pixabay I’ve often said that my style of decorating is “early garage sale”—not old enough for antique, but usually second-hand. On my library shelves, there are some old books, now disintegrating into dust, one commentary on the Life of Christ more than two hundred years old. Among my prizes are an early edition of In His Steps , What Would Jesus Do (1897) by Charles Sheldon, a very old volume of the  collected works of John Bunyan, (the date of publishing long since gone as are the book’s covers) and an English version of the Polyglot Bible, signed by its steward in 1886. Some old things are valued. But frankly, sometimes they are not. There were times in Abraham’s life when he seemed to believe that life was passing him by—he was too old! Specifically too old to have a child—to produce something of value to the next generation and the generations after that one. Genesis 17 describes Abraham’s conversation with God on the subject of being old. “ When Abram was ninety-nine yea...

Google Images The charged atmosphere of the scene in the garden as Judas and the religious authorities arrived to arrest Jesus was simply too much for Peter. He had promised to defend his Master to the death (John 13:37) and defend Him he would. We don’t know when or why Peter had picked up the sword but now he put it to good use. “ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus) ” (John 18:10. Then his world fell apart. The Lord commanded Peter to put the sword away (18:11). If he couldn’t defend Jesus the only way he knew how, then what was the use? Was it this moment that led to three others that would fulfill Jesus’ warning to Peter that before the night was out, his loyal servant would deny he even knew his Master? We can’t point the finger at Peter unless we point it back at ourselves. How often, when our plans to do something for the Lord fail, do we give up. Whether we stepped outsi...

Samson illustrates well that old saying "bull in a china shop." If there ever was an unlikely choice for a judge of Israel, he fit the bill. Some might describe him as "all brawn and no brain." He didn't seem to "get it," ever. But if the story of Samson proves nothing else, it does show us that God does work in mysterious ways and uses all kinds to accomplish his plans and purposes in history. The beginning was promising, commencing with the appearance of an angel to announce the arrival of a special child who would be dedicated to the service of the Lord before his conception. "… the boy is to be a Nazarite, set apart to God from birth, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hands of the Philistines " —Judges 13:5. Manoah and his wife received strict instructions to follow in preparation for Samson's birth. The baby was healthy. " The woman gave birth to a boy…and he grew and the Lord blessed him, and the Spirit of th...