Everything Changes

Exodus 13:21   By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. (NIV)

            The world constantly confuses me because everything keeps changing. People talk about TV shows, movies, and actors that I’ve never heard of; stores and restaurants that I used to go to are closed; folks that I once knew in Scotland, as well as the US, have moved away or gone upwards to glory. Nothing stays the same, so I feel nostalgic about the past, unsettled in the present, and fearful about the future.

            I guess the ancient Hebrews felt the same when Moses uprooted them from Egypt and took them into the Wilderness. There was so much uncertainty and insecurity that they longed for the past even though they had suffered under Pharaoh. They couldn’t work out where they were going or what lay ahead of them. They experienced culture shock and wanted things to return to the way they once were. They may not have been happy in Egypt, but it was better than being fearful and traumatized in the desert. Just like the sands around them, their faith had dried up and they felt both helpless and hopeless.

            And then God did something that showed them He was with them every step that they took. His presence was seen ahead of them as a pillar of smoke during the day and a pillar of fire at night. God was leading them every day, further away from their enemies and onward to the Promised Land. No matter what they felt or feared, God would not abandon them. All they had to do was follow His presence.

            The world constantly confuses me because everything keeps changing, but I have learned to look for God and seek His presence each day. When I am fearful, He is faithful; when I feel lost, He always leads. No matter what is in front of me, the Lord is always ahead of me, pointing the way before me by showing me what path to follow. The world may change around me, but God never does, so that assures and comforts me, as it can also do for you.

Point to ponder

What changes have I experienced recently? How has God helped me to cope with them?

Prayer:  Lord God, thank You for loving and leading us. Your presence is always with us and we are blessed by Your compassion and concern. Help us to look for You in all that we experience today. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings called ‘As a Dove.’ If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Dove.

Church devotions: Shifting Shadows - James 1v17

James 1:17     Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

The good folks at the church I serve have almost finished building my new office. Only a few minor details need to be completed and when the bookcases arrive in 2-3 weeks time, I think I’ll have an “Open Day” to celebrate.

The most amazing parts of the new office for me are the new ceiling lights. They illuminate my space with an artificial daylight. Instead of the old yellow light, there’s a great brightness across the whole room and my eyes are not as easily tired when reading books, writing memos, or keyboarding my messages. In fact, it is so bright in the office that there are hardly any shadows in the whole area. I know it sounds silly, but honestly, the daylight brightness of the lamps diminishes the shadows.

I like what James had to write about God’s good and perfect gifts. It seems to me as if there’s a brightness attached to them which extinguishes any shadows of doubt, fear, or anxiety. God is constantly loving, patient, and benevolent. His compassion and grace are neither impulsive nor capricious. He does not change like shifting shadows. He is utterly faithful and entirely reliable, even although the Church, church people, and society as a whole may be constantly changing and shifting, reforming and transforming.

Prayer:                        Lord God, people and things keep changing around us. What is acceptable and relevant today maybe challenged and changed tomorrow. We live in a society that is constantly moving and sometimes we just want stop the world in order to catch up. Thank You Father, for being the Almighty Constant in our lives. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s drawing is one of John’s latest wildlife pictures. It’s called “Rambling Raccoon” and features a young raccoon climbing a tree in the Smoky Mountains. If you would like to view a larger version of this drawing, please click on the following link:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2329/5734684067_db83df0c29_b.jpg