Fredrick urged us on Sunday to be thankful for all the problems we face in life because with every problem comes a promise. It requires faith to do so and indeed to thank God for breaking our hearts. Thankfulness for the problems and heartbreak is not a ‘normal’ response to pain and suffering. It is, however, entirely biblical, for the Bible reminds us that God is Almighty, in sovereign control not only of our own lives but of the whole world. and that He works in all things for the good of those who had been called according to His purposes (Rom 8:28). As we dwell on that fact more than on the problems and the heartbreak, we find peace and hope.

Fredrick spoke from Joshua 6:1-5 last night. Jericho was a strong, fortified city which seemed impregnable, but Joshua had God’s promise (‘Go and I will give you victory‘) to sustain him. The people of Israel were just like us in that they murmured, doubted, and frequently did not believe what God said, despite having seen many evidences of His power in their lives. They had many problems just as we do, but with every problem comes a promise from God. We can be glad when we face problems (James 1:1-5), because we know that we have a partner in the problems.

In maths, we often need a formula to help us solve a problem. Obedience is the formula God has promised will work in every situation. God builds us up through problems, for we learn to depend on His strength and not on our own. Ps 105:37 reminds us of God’s provision for the Israelites during the wilderness years; thousands (Num 1:46) were fed on manna for years, and yet their strength was not diminished. When we feed on God, we find both healing and provision in Him.

We need to do what we can do for God. Joshua had to move forward in faith, even though the command of God (to march and shout) seemed a ridiculous way of knocking down thick walls! God wants to be at our side, leading us into victory. (1 Cor 15:57-58) When we give of ourselves (our time, talents and money), we are investing in God’s kingdom and He is no man’s debtor. As with any seed, what is produced from the one seed far exceeds the original appearance, and so it can be with our lives as God awakes the kingdom seed in us. (‘Build Your Kingdom Here’, Rend Collective.) We participate in the many great and precious promises of God and can move forward in faith.

Fredrick and Reeba who minister in India came to visit the church yesterday. Fredrick used to attend our church when he was a student at Mattersey Bible College and therefore was probably no stranger to the birthday box (his birthday was last Friday):

Reeba shared about the Ladies’ Tailoring Programme which she has started (now in 2 locations.) This works on the simple principle that by giving women sewing skills rather than just food or money, they are empowered to be able to earn their own livings. The course lasts 6 months  and has been attended by 150 women from different faiths, with 4 graduation ceremonies so far. Many have come to faith through the gospel message given during the course and have seen answers to prayer. Reeba shared how one woman was always weeping at the weekly prayer meeting and when asked why told her that she had lost her son (aged 7) over 18 months previously and he had not been seen since. After prayer, the boy was found in exactly the same street where he was last seen! Another testimony was from a woman whose 9 year old son had a brain tumour that doctors had said was inoperable. After prayer, however, they operated and the procedure was a complete success!

At the end of her talk, Reeba presented leaders with a plaque to commemorate the church’s ongoing investment in this project:

Each sewing machine (given to each woman on her graduation) costs £100 and Reeba is hoping to start another programme in a nearby town. A suitable property has been identified, but the cost of £5,000 for this property (reduced from £30,000) has yet to be met. God is good and will surely release the funds for this property as Fredrick and Reeba continue to minister to so many women in faith and compassion.

At the Remembrance Day service at Cherry Tree Court this morning, we spent time praying for the survivors of war and their families and observed two minutes’ silence on this Remembrance Sunday. Afterwards, Garry spoke from Ps 5 which looks at all the things God does not like. He is not pleased with wickedness or evil (which can also be translated as ‘malignant’) and does not like the arrogant or boastful and hates those who do wrong and the bloodthirsty. Many of us would not put ourselves in these categories, but the psalm also says that God will destroy all those who tell lies and we may well feel at this point that there is no hope for us, then, to be accepted by God!

Ps 5:7 tells us that we can come into God’s house by His great love. To get to God, we simply have to rely on His love. God’s love reaches out to everyone (see John 3:16) and there is no need for us to be destroyed, for we can be welcomed into God’s presence. (Rev 3:19-20). The God who does not even associate with the wicked is the same God who loves us and has made a way for all to be welcomed into His presence. As we remember men’s sacrifices for us during war time, we remember also Christ’s sacrifice for us which has made it possible for all to receive new life and to be accepted in God’s love.

Discouragement comes to us all at some point in life, that feeling of dispiritedness or fatigue which causes us to lose enthusiasm or confidence. Sometimes the cause can be external – criticism from others, failure, fatigue which distorts our perspective, frustration that things are not going exactly as we think they ought to. Sometimes it’s harder to pin down a cause, but we simply lose interest in the ordinary and feel we are bogged down in the mundane. Trivial things get on top of us and we feel we cannot carry on a moment longer. Discouragement and disappointment are often closely linked and can often lead to depression.

Whatever the cause of the discouragement, action has to be taken if we are not to wallow in the Slough of Despond, as John Bunyan vividly described it. Brennan Manning reminds us ‘Suffering, failure, loneliness, sorrow, discouragement, and death will be part of your journey, but the Kingdom of God will conquer all these horrors. No evil can resist grace forever’ Nehemiah, instigator of the great rebuilding programme in Jerusalem, knew what it was to face opposition that cause discouragement. Neh 4 lists the problems and shows us some action which can be taken.

Rest is essential to productive work. We often think we have to keep on working in order to be productive, but there are times when we are too weary to work effectively and need to rest. God designed us for rest as well as for work and we do well to heed the day/night cycle and commandment to rest on the Sabbath. As Elijah shows us, sleep can be an effective tool against discouragement, for perspectives are restored. (see 1 Kings 19).

With rest comes new perspectives; maybe new insights into doing the same things a little differently. Nehemiah reorganised his workforce, with half the men working and half defending. Reorganisation and reflection are useful tools in overcome discouragement.

We also need to remember God. Ps 42:6 reminds us to remember God when we are downcast. Remembrance is a powerful tool against discouragement. As we remember all that God has done on our behalf, faith stirs within us to trust Him for our current situations and continue to hope. We also need to resist the temptation to give in and give up. Charles Stanley reminds us ‘disappointment is inevitable. But to become discouraged, there’s a choice I make.’ That’s why so many of the psalms urge us to speak to our souls and urge us to praise God regardless of how we feel: ‘Come on, my soul, let down the walls and sing.‘ (‘Come On’, Rend Collective) As we declare by faith the things God says are true, we are helped to overcome discouragement and carry on in the strength of the Lord.

On this Bonfire Night (only the English could celebrate a failed attempt to blow up Parliament, surely?!) , fireworks are going off all over the country: in organised displays, in back gardens, in community gatherings. Such displays provide a dazzling display of colour and a deafening noise…

Rend Collective’s song ‘Praise Like Fireworks’ captures something of the exuberance and vitality of what praise should be like:

‘We’re letting praise like fireworks
Loose from our thankful hearts.’

I regularly sing this song whilst walking to Goldthorpe and it’s a challenge to do both because of its pace! Our praise should be full of joy and enthusiasm, for our God has done so much for us. He’s taken our ‘concrete hearts’ and given us new hearts; He’s our strength and the light in our darkness. We’re no longer alone; we have hope! Let’s praise Him as exuberantly as we can, for He is worthy of our praise.