ODJ: yielded and still
October 16, 2009
READ: Lamentations 3:37-40
Who can command things to happen without the Lord’s permission? (v.37).
Adelaide Pollard, born in 1862 in the US, had faithfully served God for many years through her gifts of teaching and writing. Her longtime desire, however, was to be a missionary in Africa. Finally the details were worked out and she was ready to set sail. But then, unexpectedly, she was forced to cancel her plans. Not being able to go left Adelaide disappointed and depressed. God spoke to her heart and she penned these words, “Mold me and make me after Thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still.” Her complete poem became the well-known hymn “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.”
The prophet Jeremiah had also experienced depression over his circumstances as recorded in the book of Lamentations. He had seen Jerusalem destroyed by the Babylonians and God’s people placed under their harsh rule (Jeremiah 39:1-14, 52:12-14).
But, like Adelaide Pollard, instead of sinking deeper into sorrow, Jeremiah became yielded and still. He realized that his people had been sinning against God. That’s something Adelaide owned up to, as she acknowledged that “man’s own will is the basic sin he commits against God.” Through repentance and looking to God for guidance, both songwriter and prophet were able to see this truth: God is sovereign (Lamentations 3:37). It’s about His will, not our own.
Instead of complaining and becoming bitter (v.39), they wisely chose to examine their ways and “turn back to the Lord” (v.40). This is a wise formula for us to adopt when we face unexpected changes in our plans. As we seek God’s ways, not our own, we’ll find ourselves becoming quiet and still.
In time, the people of Judah were freed and rebuilt the city of Jerusalem. And, in time, Adelaide Pollard was permitted by God to minister for Him in Africa—yielded and still. —Tom Felten
How have I reacted to a recent change in my plans? What will I do to become yielded and still before God?
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Loading ...ODB: the defeat of death
October 16, 2009
READ: 1 Thess. 4:15-18
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:57
Christian faith ought to make a difference in how we live from day to day. But the final test of our trust in the gospel is how we react in the face of death. When we attend a memorial service for a departed friend who loved the Lord Jesus, we gather to honor a believer whose stalwart trust has richly blessed the lives of those who knew him. The words spoken are more an expression of praise to God than a tribute to an admired fellow pilgrim. The service is a God-glorifying testimony to our Savior’s victory over death and the grave (1 Cor. 15:54-57).
How different from the funeral service of Charles Bradlaugh, a belligerent British atheist. Writer Arthur Porritt recalls: “No prayer was said at the grave. Indeed, not a single word was uttered. The remains, placed in a light coffin, were lowered into the earth in a quite unceremonious fashion as if carrion were being hustled out of sight. . . . I came away heart-frozen. It only then dawned on me that loss of faith in the continuity of human personality after death gives death an appalling victory.”
Christians, however, believe in a face-to-face fellowship with our Lord after death and the eventual resurrection of our bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-55; 1 Thess. 4:15-18). Does your faith rejoice in victory over death? — Vernon C. Grounds
Because Christ is alive, we too shall live.
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