Presbyterian Devotions: Remembering God

Psalm 111: 4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

Sometimes I envy the people of the past, particularly those in the Old Testament. I wonder what it must have felt like to escape from the clutches of Pharaoh and wander around in the wilderness for a whole generation, in the holy presence of God.

God seemed so immediate and near to them, probably because there was nothing else to distract them. They weren’t surrounded by the busy-ness of today’s urban communities. They weren’t inundated with the sounds of the city or urgency of our world. They were isolated in the desert, so perhaps they were more open to hearing God’s voice and seeing His wonders.

It must have been both amazing and terrifying to have God in their midst. They were given first hand experiences of God’s power, grace, and compassion. In the daytime, they followed a pillar of smoke and at night they looked to a pillar of fire. It must have daunted and comforted them at the same time.

Today, we mainly learn about knowing God through the scriptures. We read the Bible stories and study the events. We try to imagine what really happened and build upon theological teachings and archaeological findings to increase our understanding of God and His people. But we also look to other people in order to know what God is doing in the world today. We hear of personal experiences, answers to prayer, and other events which convey to us that the God of Old is still in control of what’s new today.

In the end, we remember God’s wonders from the Bible and we embrace personal stories of His work in the world today. We know God through what we read in the scriptures and in the faithful lives of other people. And through both of these channels, we begin to understand, embrace, and experience for ourselves that God is still gracious and compassionate.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for the stories of old that we have read and learned from the Bible and people of faith. We praise You that You continue to be known in the personal lives of so many people around the world. Thank You for Your gracious and compassionate interest in our planet. We are grateful for the opportunity to truly know who You are and how You continue to work in and bless the world. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s passage, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Presbyterian Devotions: Compassion for a Killer

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

There’s been a lot of outrage expressed on both sides of the Atlantic about the Scottish Secretary of Justice’s decision to release the convicted Libyan bomber of Pan-Am Flight 103. Radio Talk shows and newspapers, TV and cable news networks have been reporting on the outburst of anger and the cries of injustice that have been heard across the land.

Families from both the United States and Lockerbie, Scotland have been interviewed. Reports of their dismay and frustration have been circulated across the Web. Many have called for the resignation of the Secretary of Justice, as well as expressing their hope that the bomber Megrahi dies a slow and painful death. And, as if to rub salt in the wounds, Megrahi’s heroic homecoming in Libya was too much to take.

I remember the night of the bombing very well. All of our churches in Maybole, Scotland had been celebrating an inter-denominational Christmas service at the Old Kirk. My pastor friend Colin, who preached the sermon, had even put a garland of tinsel in his hair. I think I was wearing a Santa helper’s hat as well. It was a wonderful service and we all went home joyfully praising God.

And then it happened. Our celebrations were over. The whole of Scotland was shocked. Lockerbie was engulfed in flames. If the bomb had gone off fifteen minutes later, it probably would have hit Maybole, which was directly under the flight path.

The Scottish people were outraged and demanded that the bombers, if caught, be brought to trial in Scotland. Megrahi was eventually caught and sentenced to life imprisonment. The evidence against him was questionable and it seemed as though he was being scapegoated by the real perpetrators of the horrific bombing. Indeed, some of the British families, who lost loved ones in the bombing, campaigned on Megrahi’s behalf for a second appeal. It was recently denied by the Law Courts, so Megrahi was expected to languish and die in prison.

He’s suffering from a terminal condition and isn’t expected to live much longer. The Secretary of Justice released him on grounds of compassion, which is that great gift of God given to us through the suffering of Christ. Compassion, like mercy, is not given because anyone deserves it, but because someone needs it. Many are outraged and wonder why such a heinous killer of innocent people is being given his freedom. But that’s what compassion is – the turning of the other cheek, along with loving our enemies. It’s hard to practice, justify, or even accept.

I think Lord McCluskey, a retired Scottish judge, whom I admire greatly, summed it up best when he said: "There is no reason for us not to show compassion – apart from revenge, which isn't the sweetest of virtues."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we honestly do not understand why evil occurs in the world, nor do we fully comprehend why evil people prevail at times. You give us a very weak weapon in the world’s eyes to confront and overcome evil: compassion. Help us to accept that this is our calling as Christians, especially when it is least popular. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.