January 8, 2025

The scenes of the fires raging in Southern California are overwhelming. People have abandoned their cars in the roads and have run on foot to get away from the fast-moving flames. Dry conditions and intense winds make containment nearly impossible at this point. In less than 24 hours, thousands of lives have been significantly changed. At the time I wrote this, there was no loss of life yet. That is remarkable, and I pray that remains the amazing part of this disaster. Meanwhile, southern China has experienced another earthquake that has resulted in at least 126 lives lost. But in terms of people dying, the human toll of the war in Ukraine is staggering. The latest figures estimate 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have died and another 370,000 injured. Russian soldiers have lost at least 200,000 soldiers with another 600,000 injured.

I like to stay informed on what is going on in our world, but there are days, like today, when I would rather not know. It’s not that ignorance protects me somehow from danger coming to my doorstep, it’s that I simply cannot absorb all of the suffering and I cannot make it stop. The tragedies of today will be overtaken by the tragedies and challenges of tomorrow. On and on it goes. As Job said, “…man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.”

On days like this I am drawn to Isaiah 53.4a. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Jesus took our griefs upon himself. Jesus carried our sorrows. He entered into our world that he might be able to take upon himself our sins and the effects of our sins. The life and death of Jesus was not a business transaction. He personally feels our loss, and absorbed in his body the consequences of our sins. The provision of his sinless life for us, secures a future for us that guarantees a world to come that has no tragedy, no war, no earthquakes and no dangers.

An important part of our ministry to one another is our responsibility to mutually encourage one another not to set our hope on this world, but on Christ. Laying up your treasure and affections in this world is putting them in timber that will be consumed. Setting your mind on things above and fixing your affections on the kingdom of God helps secure your joy. Tonight, we gather to pray for our missionaries serving indigenous people groups who are often overlooked. The gospel has gone to many peoples and many of them have been the ones that have been easier to reach. The ones that remain are difficult and will not be reached apart from the prayers of God’s people. Our gathering and praying is one of the means that God has ordained for us to accomplish our very purpose in life. Be part of the only solution that can help a very troubled world.

Grace and peace,

Bob

Sunday’s Text: Luke 10:1-12