A missionary has remarked, appropriately at Purim (which took place this week), of a “such a time as this” moment for Russia and Ukraine, and for the world – in terms of demonstrating the power of the gospel!

The feast of Purim celebrates how Queen Esther took up the challenge of being called to royal position “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) and, through her courage, saved the Jewish people from extermination in ancient Persia.

In the midst of an appalling, unprovoked war, a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) email report focused instead on the beauty and wonder of the Lord Jesus. It told of a storm raging on the Black Sea preventing Russia’s naval ships from docking at port, of the miraculous supply of medical equipment needed for a maternity ward destroyed by bombing, and of the multiplication of food enabling them to feed 150 people a day at their base.

These were all answers to prayer from our faithful God, of whom Isaiah wrote: “Since ancient times no-one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.” (Isa 64:4-5)

God guides our steps

The journey of faith is not always smooth, but God’s clear guidance and intervention in our lives is sure and certain. It is just so amazing to know and experience the hand of God in every step you take. Solomon advises: “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight – or he will direct your paths” (Prov 3:6).

The journey of faith is not always smooth, but God’s clear guidance and intervention in our lives is sure and certain.

I had an extraordinary sense of this leading on a visit to Lincolnshire last weekend. My wife was indulging our niece in her favourite pastime – shopping. Reluctantly, I followed them into the first shop. But on noticing the opportunity for sitting in the spring sunshine outside a café, I changed my mind.

I got talking to an elderly singer/musician – for nearly two hours – and, in time, was able to introduce him to the Lord Jesus. As I prayed with him, it was a holy moment. God was truly with us. He certainly makes our every step count.

Child-like faith

At the other end of the age spectrum, our six-year-old granddaughter also appears to be taking divinely ordered steps. For just a fortnight earlier, she approached my wife with the very direct question, “Are you a Christian, Grandma?” And then quickly added proudly: “I’m a Christian.” Confirmation came from my son who explained that she’s always praying.

It called to mind Isaiah’s words relating to a future of perfect peace under Christ’s rule when “the wolf will live with the lamb… and a little child will lead them” (Isa 11:6).

Talking of perfection, I doubt if it’s possible to reach that state in this life – “for now we see in a glass darkly, then we shall see face to face” (1 Cor 13:12). But “the law of the Lord is perfect,” as King David discovered (Psalm 19:7). Meditating on God’s statutes and precepts gives joy to the heart and light to the eyes. His decrees are “more precious than gold” and “sweeter than honey”. And in keeping them there is great reward (Ps 19:10-11).

I thought of the ladies out shopping for shiny things. Following God’s prompting is indeed more precious than gold and sweeter than honey.

Bitter rejection

This was the conundrum with which the Hebrew prophets had to contend, along with all who take their discipleship seriously. For Ezekiel, his message tasted as sweet as honey (Ezek 3:3). But the people with whom he shared it (God’s own people, not foreigners) were hardened, obstinate and rebellious – and left him deeply distressed.

It’s a picture of the precious gospel, sweet as honey to those who have tasted it, but sour for those who reject it.

The sweetness turned sour, or bitter, a picture echoed in Revelation where the Apostle John was told, like Ezekiel, to ‘eat’ the scroll which would turn his stomach sour, but would be as sweet as honey in his mouth (Rev 10:9).

It’s a picture of the precious gospel, sweet as honey to those who have tasted it but sour for those who reject it. As David Smith writes, “the prophets delighted in the words of God, yet discovered anguish and pain in the act of publicly proclaiming their messages.”
He adds: “There is a lesson here for all who minister the gospel: we may not treat the word of God as a text to be scientifically analysed and held as an object apart from us. It must become part of our very being, a spiritual food in which we delight, even as there will be personal cost in faithfully sharing the message of grace and judgment with people reluctant to accept it.”¹

Don’t expect bouquets; you’re more likely to get brickbats. If success is related to popularity, Isaiah was a failure. For when God called him, he was told that the people would be “ever hearing, but never understanding” (Isa 6:9).

True nourishment

Nevertheless, after 2,700 years, he still guides the spiritually hungry and thirsty to the bread of life and the source of living water. May the ‘Bread of Life’ that is Jesus and his word become everything to you. He has promised that all who come to him will never go hungry. Our Lord testified that his ‘food’ was to do the will of God (John 4:34), for this is where he found true nourishment and fulfilment.

In a world shaken by political turmoil which has left many overcome by fear and panic, the gospel is still the best news of all.

Jesus said that “the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (John 6:57-58).

With the scary prospect of nuclear war hanging over our heads, it’s surely time for Christians to up their game and grab hold of this unique opportunity for preaching the truth. In a world shaken by political turmoil which has left many overcome by fear and panic, the gospel is still the best news of all.

Notes

¹From Scripture Union’s Encounter with God notes for January-March 2022