Matthew 20:1-16

One of the things that judges in a court of law often base their decisions on when making a judgement is ‘what is fair and reasonable.’ And maybe the person about to receive the judgement is wondering, ”Will I get what I deserve?”
Justice in this world is often seen by many to be a one-sided event. And of course, we view justice from our perspective, often making comparisons. That is how we come up with what is fair and what I/you deserve. But have you ever considered that everything you are, everything you have, is a gift? That really you ‘deserve’ nothing. And to be fair to the giver, should we not use any gifts we are given to the best of our ability, regardless of our situation.
Even suffering can be a gift. Perhaps for some, that can be hard to understand. Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
How easy it is to forget over the course of the day that every good thing comes to us as a gracious gift from God, and God was not required or compelled to create us, much less pull us out of our estranged problems. Jesus’ kingdom will offend all of us who assume that the future, if it is to be good, must be earned and deserved.

Pastor Darryl

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Exodus 14:19-31

It is hard not to notice how life continues to throw us up challenges. These can be the result of current events or events from the past. But we can be certain there will always be hurdles to overcome. Often the question will
arise: “How will I get through this?” There is not always a visible light at the end of the tunnel.

The Israelites heading toward the Red Sea in the Exodus account is one of those types of examples. Behind them, trouble was looming with the Egyptian army threatening to destroy them. In front of them, was the impassable Red Sea. How did they picture their current situation, very gloomy, hopeless?

We also tend to do the same as we look through our own tunnel vision at events that seem overwhelming. But it was God who said: I will lead you out! I will take you to a land that I promised you! God asks nothing of Israel at the key moment of deliverance. They are witnesses of their own deliverance. And what was Israel’s response? They went from fearing the very thing that was troubling them to fearing the Lord and putting their trust in him. Through Jesus Christ God has once again acted. Again, he
took it upon himself to deliver. God has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of his Son whom he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

It is all about what God has done for us, to us, on behalf of us, because he loves us. And what does he ask? That we put our trust in him.

Pastor Darryl

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Exodus 3:1-15
Last week we read that Jesus asked his disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Then Jesus asked them “Who do you say that I AM?” In Exodus 3, Moses reverses the question and asks God, “Who are you?” God said to Moses, ‘I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”’

Unlike us who often have the tendency to say I think God is like this or like that for me, God defines who he is for Moses, the Israelites and us when he expresses his name. So, what’s in a name – I AM (YHWH in Hebrew). Originally a name described not only who you are but what you are – Baker, Farrier, Smith, etc. And that also defines what you do. What does it mean when somebody says, “I am?” Is it an action ongoing not completed (i.e., present or future).

Jesus said: I am the gate, I am the good shepherd, I am the resurrection and the life, I am the way, the truth, and the life. I am always with you. God the “I AM” told Moses “I will be with you” those many centuries ago, and that same “I AM” continues with the same message for us today. Something to ponder.

Pastor Darryl

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Isaiah 51:1-6

Sometimes we need to be reminded to listen. Have you ever demanded, “Listen to me, what I have to say is important?” Here, the Lord is insisting on getting our attention along with that of the people of Israel: “Listen
to me.” The intention is to remind us of God’s promises. Remember Sarah and Abraham and God’s promise of children and of a great nation of descendants. Remember how that promise was fulfilled and is being fulfilled? Look at what was and how it leads to what will be.

Yes there are times that we must go through darkness here for a while, but it will not last forever. Look ahead God says! A new day is coming! God is at work. We are not headed for darkness and despair. We are headed for peace and light and glory; far in excess of whatever we could dream.

Remember who alone brings salvation? Look to the Lord. Listen and hear God’s promises. No matter what your current circumstances, the Lord’s salvation will not fade away or be destroyed. This is God’s promise to you.
Lord of Lords, teach us to listen, remember, and trust your promised words of life. Amen

Pastor Darryl

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Matthew 15:21-28
Does it seem, at times, that God is ignoring you, or perhaps just distant and unapproachable? Maybe you need more faith! Have you ever thought that way?

Last week we heard how Peter began sinking into the water and Jesus puts out his hand and lifts Peter up and says – “You of little faith. Why did you doubt” (Matthew 14-31). However, in today’s gospel text (Matt. 15:21-28) Jesus tells the Canaanite woman that she has great faith. So, why was her faith great? What does it mean to have great faith? Maybe it is about no “doubt.” Should we judge the level of our faith? Is faith something that we can just define and measure?

Was the Canaanite woman’s faith great because of her persistence, her honesty, because she needs help and asks, because she recognises who Jesus is, and causes Him to change his mind. What do you think?

Perhaps, like the woman in the story, your faith is great, not because of what you do, but because of who you are – a child of God, dependent solely on the grace of God through Jesus. Even your faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

May you always look to God for His merciful favour and blessing, for He is consistently at work, giving it to you.

Pastor Darryl

Photo by Yoshua Giri on Unsplash