It’s common today for people to say things like “The world’s in a mess!” “Our country is falling apart!” “Everyone’s gone crazy!” Folks from all backgrounds and beliefs echo this. And while it’s true that people of every generation tend to bewail the state of the world, the combination of social discord, perverted justice, and international instability bodes ill for coming days. How can we Christians reflect our new life in Christ in these times?
When the Israelites returned from captivity, Ezra and Nehemiah led a revival of their culture. Ezra taught the Law; Nehemiah led them in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. But change didn’t come easily, or quickly. Ezra and Nehemiah encouraged them to focus on the faithfulness of God, not on their past failures. Their covenant God would not forsake them. And in that spirit, Nehemiah exhorted them to rejoice with these famous words: “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”
In the maelstrom of our crazy world, Christians have every reason to rejoice. We have eternal life. Our sins are forgiven. The Spirit lives in us. We can read and meditate on God’s Word. We’re members of God’s ‘forever family’! We have fellowship with other Christians in the Body of Christ. We have the ‘blessed hope’ that Jesus will take us to be with him one day soon. And we have all this while we are living in this crazy world. So – in spite of all that is not good, we need not be dejected and sad; take joy in what is yours in the Lord, and you’ll receive strength.
On a totally different subject: One of the most poignant stories in the narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry is His encounter with the woman caught in adultery (John 7.53-8.11). One commentator captured the essence of this event this way: “The delicate balance between the justice of Jesus in not condoning the sin and his mercy in forgiving the sinner is one of the great gospel lessons” (Raymond Brown).
We each see something of ourselves in this story. We focused on it in a recent Sunday sermon. A week before that message, I asked Renee Garner if she could write a song on the experience of the woman, and the impact of the story. If you were at the service, you heard it. For your spiritual uplifting, I asked Renee if I could include the lyrics for you here. Enjoy!
“Live in My Father’s Love”
by Renee Garner
I did what I knew, I did what I could; Desperate, I know what I chose wasn’t good
Who I’ve become’s not who I want to be; But now there’s no hope left for me
It was a set-up; one in a long line; So many abuses – just one more this time
A mob of accusers and I was alone, Watching them pick up the stones
I’ve been taken from my home, I’ve been taken by a man;
The ones in front of me are no better than I am
I’m not the only one here who is guilty of a sin;
But I’m the one who’ll die for where I‘ve been
They asked Him some questions; He wrote in the sand;
He knew their lies and He knew what they planned
“If you’re without sin, then you throw the first stone.” And one by one each one went home.
Where are the ones who say that you should die?
Lord, they have gone but I can’t tell You why.
Woman there’s nothing more I have to say; go and choose better today.
He knew I was wrong and He knew they were too;
He stood up for me, something they’d never do
He gave me mercy when justice was due; that day my life was made new.
I’m kneeling at the feet of the only man who’s good;
He rescued me the day that I thought that no one would
Instead of condemnation, He speaks of love for me;
He’s the One who died instead of me
Because of what He did, now I am free.