The Bridge Christian Fellowship
The Pastor’s Pen
As I’ve choked on the smoke, observed the orange sun, and watched the multiple videos of raging flames, burning forests, and heartbreaking devastation the last ten days, a thought keeps chirping away in the back of my mind. “If we, as mere men, are this incapable of withstanding the flames of a few forest fires, how will we fare on that great and notable Day of the Lord?”
Think of it. Here in southern Oregon more than 6,000 highly trained, well equipped fire fighters are giving their all to contain the fires that surround us. They are aided by multiple planes, helicopters, dozers, fire trucks and more. We have the men; we have the equipment; we have the experience; we have the strategies; yet we find ourselves playing defense more often than not.
As much as we men would like to imagine that we are in control, it is times like these that remind me, “Man is never in control.” In fact, we live in utter delusion when we entertain such thoughts. Yet man, who cannot win prevail over forest fires, often raises his hand in contempt against Almighty God, the One who created the wind, the forests, the rain, the fire, and man.
The shepherd boy, David, penned it this way, “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
“and free ourselves from slavery to God.” Psalm 2:1-3.
Man wants to worship a god of his own making, a god who gives man what he wants, never puts any restrictions upon us, and does what we want when we want it. We don’t want a god who calls our bad behaviors and bad attitudes sin. We don’t want a god who demands holiness on the part of those who claim to love Him. We don’t want a god who calls abortion murder, sodomy an abomination, the pursuit of greedy gain unrighteous, and our arrogant pride worthy of His retribution. So, what does man do? He claims independence from God. “I can do what I want however I want, and whenever I want.” At least that is what man may think.
David continued his thoughts in Psalm 2:4-6: “But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. For the Lord declares, ‘I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.’” I find it interesting that many people who rarely pay God any mind are suddenly ready to pray and beg for deliverance from the flames consuming our forests. Now, I certainly am not mocking prayer. We are praying every day for our fire fighters and those in harm’s way.
However, whereas prayer is the normal daily experience in many homes, it is the exception in many of those now calling for it. God, in His mercy, places us in situations that cause us to realize just how incapable of saving ourselves we really are. In just a few days, we have witnessed our beautiful landscape transformed from a tranquil, peaceful and beautiful refuge into a blazing, terrifying inferno that is far more hellish than heavenly. Perhaps we do need our God!
I believe that this was on David’s mind as he finished his Psalm (10-12): Now then, you kings, act wisely! Be warned, you rulers of the earth! Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling. Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!”
So, keep praying and keep trusting in God to help our firefighters save lives, homes, and forest. But, more importantly, renew your commitment to rely on God, His grace, and His strength each and every day. If the last two weeks have taught us anything, it has reminded us that we need the God who creates, redeems, restores, and will soon return. Praise His Name!
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