In our lives whenever we strive in faithfulness and obedience to God to be good, the devil is there to deceive and destroy.
I am reflecting on this last editorial[1]. “Then came a Great Silence – a global pandemic has stopped the world in its tracks”. Indeed the article “Silence in the Earth” adds to the above, especially regarding the silence from Church and State (page 9). All Articles in this last issue were inspiring.
We see tribulation has followed unfaithfulness. When Almighty God is dishonoured – the result – “The LORD declared “If I send pestilence among my people: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7.13-14) – (Pg 5).
As we all know these cycles of disobedience and then repentance have occurred throughout all human history.
In the reference on II Chronicles above, the LORD in His love wants His chosen people to wake up and seek Him, repent and turn to Him – in faith and obedience:
Jeremiah 29.11-14
“11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to restore your fortunes.” “
This truth is so important that the Apostle Paul recorded:
Hebrews 8.10-12 cf Jeremiah 31.31-34
“10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
11 No longer will a man teach his neighbour, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
This absolutely applies to today and the emblem “FELEG” (Pg 4).
As I mentioned from the Book of Common Prayer last time, it is right and proper to quote from it again since the editorial said “Almighty God to the modern mind had no relevance.” However, Almighty God has eternal relevance and the faithful and obedient in the past and present agree even though the Church and State are silent.
[2]BCP – Pg 252 “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him; Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”
We pray for a full return to faith and obedience.
We live in dangerous times and I find it critical to remember again the Empire’s reliance on Almighty God to save us as he did 1940-1945. On 28 May 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed the Outer Cabinet. The following quotes are from the film ‘Churchill’[3] which I believe are sufficiently accurate renditions of this critical comparison. He mentioned: “.. we shall prove ourselves once more to be able to defend our Island Home.” He spoke of: “riding out the menace of tyranny.” He said: “it was the will of Parliament and the Nation”! He acknowledged that Britain would “never surrender” and concluded the speech with “… and if this Island were subjugated or starving our Empire beyond the seas… would carry on the struggle until in God’s good time the New world with all its power and might would step forth to the rescue and liberation of the Old…”[4]
Churchill’s words above showed his faithfulness and perseverance as he encouraged Britain to persevere and “never surrender”. This resulted in the blessings of Covenant Nation America with all its military might and production to rescue and physically save Covenant Nations Britain, Australia and New Zealand. Canada assisted America in men and materials. We must remember American’s mighty work on the Lido Road (1944) on the border of India and China – saving China from Japanese oppression.
Churchill was right – the righteous perseverance “of the New” saved the righteous perseverance “of the Old”.
Further unfaithfulness 1958, 1972 and 1993 were in a previous editorial[5]. I constantly reflect and identify with the editor’s previous comments “Britain has been in a state of national unfaithfulness to its lawful husband – ‘The Queen-in-Parliament under God.’ Treason by instalments…” The Editorial cited truthfully tells everything and has encouraged me to remember..”
This dreadful virus and the mutations now follow. Let us in Spiritual responsiveness look to Our Lord Jesus in love, faithfulness and obedience remembering His grace and truth.
When I was young – a long time ago – there were two definitions for God’s Grace:
- The free unmerited favour of God – The One True God of the Bible.
- G God’s favour and
R Righteousness
A At
C Christ’s His Son’s
E Expense -The carrying out of His mission to save the elect.
Grace is the epitome of His outworking of His wonderful Love. Grace is God’s love in action for His elect, His people, and His chosen ones. It is nothing to do with our merit. It is all to do with why we worship Him – His Glory – it is His “Worth” – His “Worth Ship” – Our worship of a great, glorious true loving God who has redeemed us through the mission of His Glorious Son our Lord Jesus – our Savior. God is so loving and gracious.
Further to the above, we see a type/shadow of the history of England (Ephraim) from 1938 to today. This is seen in Hosea, written in Judah c 722-721BC. Covenant Nation England (Ephraim) has to repent and make Brexit work and re-establish trade with “FELEG” Covenant Nations. It is so important to read Scripture to understand problems of EEC and EU. Please read Hosea 7.9, 11, 13-16; 8.10A, 12. All relating to the LORD’s truth Genesis 48.16-20. And we remember “Things prepared in advance for us to do.“ (Ephesians2.10).
Holy Scripture’s call for perseverance in Holy Faith:
Jude 17-25
“17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt;
23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy –
25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen”.
[1] Covenant Nations Vol 5, No 2, 2020.
[2] Book of Common Prayer
[3] Universal Studios ‘Churchill’
[4] Ibid
[5] ‘The Covenant Nations’ Vol 4, No. 12, 2019.