Covenant Church

An attractive 24 year-old woman boasts of being an Atheist. Logic is her god, with the right to make personal choices. Others in the group applaud her decision that declares there is no God!

If the young woman were to read the Bible she would find a verse that describes her: Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” 

Because of sin good and bad happen to all people. Good people get sick. Good people are victims of war, disease, economic conditions, weather and consequences of bad choices by others. A rebellious child may cost parents embarrassment and financial loss. A sinning spouse may divide a home---leaving an innocent person to suffer.

As I write this letter Patty Evangelista is in the hospital. Yesterday she had her third surgery for lung cancer. She has lost mother, sister and brother to genetic cancer. Turns out Patty’s tumor was "encapsulated", and there may be no need for chemo. Praise the Lord! 

Patty, Butch and their two children Michael and Mariel are examples of wise people that live with an understanding that life has ditches. Their motif is that if there is a ditch they will get to the ditch with God going with them. Sunday the family was in church. They have not wavered in commitment to the congregation in all the past challenges. Butch, a deacon, has continued to serve excellently.

It is a terrible thing to end up in a ditch, dazed, stunned, adversity knocking on the door and not know God. It is frightful to consider one encountering obstacles that brilliance and money cannot survive. It can be over-whelming when loved ones and friends encounter hardships and losses, and the only thing that can be offered is: "Well, tough, Friend. You just have to take the bad with the good." 

Better a thousand times it is to anticipate that there will be ditches in life. Prepare for the ditches. Get your soul in shape to take the jolt. Surround yourself with folks who are full of grace and truth. Make sure you have prayer partners who will call out to God in your behalf.

Read the Book. Read that life's journey is a short one at best. Read that grace is provided to sweeten our soul. Joy can be constant because fear has been conquered: Job 19:25 "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." 

Corrie Ten Boom and her sister were in a Nazi death camp. She survived to be a powerful sharer of the grace God bestows. Her sister left an indelible imprint upon Corrie's life by often sharing 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "In ever thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Context was a barracks built for 100 soldiers housing over 400 women. At night only a 25 watt bulb burned in the entire building. Because of the infestation of rodents guards would not enter the building. A Bible had been smuggled into room. Sitting on tops of bunk beds near the light the women would read the Bible. Scores of women came to know Jesus as their Savior, and Corrie learned to thank God even for the lice. 

I have often shared with precious saints that their hospital bed is not a ditch, but a pulpit. Their health is challenged. They are facing the ultimate fear of death. Yet, in their situation the grace they "preach" is a more powerful sermon than any ever shared from a pulpit by a healthy preacher.

Careful now. To be 24, beautiful, and want to play is not to be 60 and pay for the cost of playing. Foolishness can invite unnecessary ditches...even leading to premature death: Ecclesiastes 7:17 "Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?" 

So, I say, if you live godly in Christ Jesus and end up in a ditch, Jesus will be there with you. Everything will be alright if you keep your eyes on Him. 

Pastor Bare