Dear Members and Friends of IBCZ,
One of my favorite passages of Scripture is Ps. 121. The first four verses are: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”
This psalm is one of the Psalms of Ascent, which the ancient Israelites would sing as they walked from all around Israel up to Jerusalem to celebrate their holy days. No matter where they came from, they would have to ascend up to the city of Jerusalem, so it was a difficult anddraining journey. The writer describes how as he is ascending and sees the mountains before him, it is the Lord who is his source of help. The mountains were the obstacle, but the One who made the mountains was His helper. The mountains were a challenge, but He found strength in the One who is so powerful He made the mountains.
Whatever challenges we face, we know we have One who is greater and mightier than those challenges; we have the Creator of heaven and earth. As the writers affirms, God never slumbers nor sleeps. He is never oblivious to our predicaments or challenges. He is always available to give us help.
This means God is a tireless worker. We often picture ourselves as working for God, engaging in the work of His kingdom. Of course, we are called to do that. But Scripture also proclaims that God is working on our behalf.
Is. 64:4 “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.” What an incredible realization – God works on our behalf. So great is His love, mercy, and compassion, that He works for us to help us, to strengthen us, to guide us, to transform us, to equip us, to bring about His good purposes for our lives. So whatever challenges you may be facing in your personal life, in your work life, or in your ministry here in the church, be encouraged. The Lord is our Helper. When we really believe this, then we will be able to live out what Scripture says should characterize our lives: we’ll be able to rejoice always, to give thanks in everything, to be anxious about nothing, to experience the peace that passes understanding.
This also applies to us as a church. When a church faces a time without a pastor, it can cause some anxiety, fear, and wondering how things will work out. But there is no need for such feelings. Jesus said He would build His church; the church belongs to Him. Our help comes from the One who made heaven and the earth. Sustaining His church poses no problem to God.
So as we pray for God’s guidance during this next season in the life of IBCZ, let us do so with confidence and gratitude, for God is at work.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Bob