Dear RSNY Church Family and Friends,
Reformation Sunday reminds us of the most important things: Worship in Ministry and Mission.
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say… Psalm 124.
Over the past several weeks, I listened to many who were concerned about the state of the church of Jesus Christ. In my journey book, I recorded the concerns of pastors and their responsibilities. The relevance reminded me of various lectionary lessons, especially the recent devotional from Psalm 124 that brought a message of hope and peace in the midst of confusion and challenges.
Some many years ago the writer of psalm 124 in reflection, said these words: “If God hadn’t been for us,” he looked at the other witnesses in the crowd, as if to say…come on…think about this…if it had not been for the lord on our side…when men rose up against us, when we were surrounded by trouble…if it had not been for the lord…they would have swallowed us alive when their wrath was kindled against us; then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul” (New King James Version). Please note the phrase “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side.” Some translations put this differently, such as “If the Lord had not been on our side” (New International Version). Some translations put it as a question: “What if the Lord had not been on our side?” (New Century Version). My key focus is: “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side.”
Since our RSNY Executive Committee session on September 17, 2024 and meetings with Classes, it appears that “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side” we would not have survived as churches and Consistories faced many challenges of: Increase in Church Insurance, RCA Proposed Changes, the inability to pay pastors within the Salary guidelines, churches not able to pay assessments, faced with meeting compliances issues in our counties, repairs needed for churches and church parsonages and many other concerns. Like Israel, the outcome for many Church leaders seemed unfavorable in our weary thoughts. Israel’s victory was because it was the LORD who was on her side, and if our churches had not been aware of the presence of God among us as we perceived victory and hope for God’s Church, the enemy would have defeated or destroyed the Church of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:31 “that if God is for us, who can be against us?”
At our Joint gathering on Telos Worship, sponsored by the RCA Office on Diversity and RSNY, our facilitator, Rev. Jeremy Simpson reminded us, that Psalm 124 was the words of David, a man, who did not forget what the LORD had done for Israel. David also recognized the presence of God in his life and what it meant. Through a living relationship with the Lord, David gained the confidence to confront the Philistines and say, “when I am afraid, I put my trust in you, what can man do to me…this I know that God is for me.?” When you recognize the presence of God in your life, when trouble come your way…you look to God, have confidence in God, and pray the words of the psalmist in Psalm 123, “I lift my eyes to you, the one enthroned in heaven. Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand. Like a servant girl’s eyes on her mistress’s and so our eyes are on the Lord our God until He shows us favor.” With God in our corner, we are more than conquerors.
Rev. Simpson also reminded us of when the enemy rose against Israel, it could have led to their defeat or destruction, but the LORD did not deliver them into the hands of the enemy. David compares these enemies to wild animals with gnashing teeth of a hunter who has set his trap…but with God on the side of Israel the trap is broken, and they are freed! Many at the Conference compared their enemy to raging waters as pastoral leaders in their various circumstances. But the LORD hearing the prayers and praises of the Congregations, prevented the destructions of closing churches or sweeping them away in hopelessness.
If it had not been God who was on our side, the Regional Synod stories would be different. If we depended on our fears and the fears of others rather than knowing like David that it was God who is on our side, we would not be where we are today. But blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to the teeth of the enemy. God is on the side of all who put their trust in God.
Be well, stay well.
Reformed, Reforming, and Reforming Daily,
Prayerfully,
Rev. Dr. Micheal Edwards