What a Day!

Like many others, I recall where I was when I heard the news of the assassination of President Kennedy. In the immediate aftermath, we school boys thought it would lead to a World War, and annihilation.

Like many others, the death of CS Lewis passed me by at the time, though I knew of the Narnia books (my mother read them to us), and had had to read Mere Christianity at school. In the years since, I have come to love his wisdom and clarity.

Looking back 50 years is quite shocking in many respects. 

The world has changed hugely, and many of the fears from those days are thankfully past. The Soviet block has gone, and China is much more open. But the instability in the Muslim world brings plenty of reasons for concern.

How can we face such a changing and fear-inducing world with responsible living? 

Again and again, I find myself drawn to the Psalms, where the writers and poets reflect on their world in the light of their faith in God. 

'Lord, through all the generations
    you have been our home! 
Before the mountains were born,
    before you gave birth to the earth and the world,
    from beginning to end, you are God.' (Psalm 90.1-2)

This Psalm was turned into the hymn, 'O God our help in ages past', by Isaac Watts, which we always sing at Remembrance Sunday.

'Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 
This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him. 
For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease. 
He will cover you with his feathers.
    He will shelter you with his wings.
    His faithful promises are your armour and protection.' (Psalm 91.1-4)

We do well to recall that God is God, 'through all the changing scenes of life' (which is another favourite hymn, written by Isaac Watts, based on Psalm 34).

Today, I go forth into the day trusting the God who made me and has good purposes for me. That makes all the difference.

Best wishes,

Richard