The pleasure ground of the soul
For the last number of years we have become a largely pleasure seeking society. We have lived in the age of plenty, so much to fill our lives with - sport, travel, dining out, theatre, cinema, and many other avenues of pleasure available to satisfy and gratify the desires of our hearts.
Then came Covid-19, that brought life as we knew it to a sudden halt. All became very different and the world closed down. There was an apocalyptic feel in the air as everything slowed down and movement was restricted. No meeting up with family and friends. Social distancing became an everyday term and for Christian people no gathering together on the Lord’s Day for worship, Sunday School, Bible Class, Youth Activities or mid-week Bible Study and Prayer meetings. For most, if not all of us, this became an unusual routine to our daily lives. Perhaps it begs the question, what have we missed most? Are there lessons to learn and will life ever be the same as we knew it before Lockdown?
Philip Eveson writing in the January 2021 issue of The Banner of Truth magazine comments, “Covid-19 has pulled many people up and made them think about life and death situations. Yes, and Christians have been pulled up in their tracks as well. The things we took for granted are not available. The certainties are not so certain after all”.
Changing Patterns
For most of us change affected our behaviour. Shopping ventured into online ordering for home deliveries, click and collect with maybe an early morning visit to a nearby supermarket.
Dining out became more dining in with perhaps the occasional treat with a takeaway or a restaurant meal delivered to your home. Work patterns have changed, with many working from home. Going to the office is - for the present - a thing of the past! Added to all this home schooling and on line education brought a new challenge for many families.
Church patterns changed and congregational life became an online feature with Sunday services and prayer meetings made available on Zoom, YouTube, Facebook or other ways.
After some 3-4 months things began to ease, restrictions on what we were forbidden to do lifted and the ‘new normal’ introduced more changing patterns of lifestyle and behaviour. Meeting up with family and friends brought a much needed sense of relief and joy that things were changing if only ever so slightly.
The hope of better days in the autumn did not materialise and further circuit breakers and lockdowns resulted in the most unusual Christmas ever with little prospect of an improving situation for at least the first few months of 2021.
In all of this how is a Christian to cope and bear witness to their faith and trust in God in the midst of the pandemic?
I am reminded of the hymn that begins
‘Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
the praises of my God shall still
my heart and tongue employ”.
The hymn speaks of the reality of the ever-changing nature and circumstances of life. There is trouble and there is joy. For many Christian folk this has been a time of great distress but the hymn goes on to speak of the deliverance and comfort of God’s help and the rest that is found in him.
UNCHANGING TRUTH
The Bible is full of instruction for Christian living in every situation. When we think of a verse like Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good we may be tempted to ask is Covid-19 one of the ‘all things’? The answer to that must be yes if we mean all things. Nothing is excluded because all things are under the control of God. God has made everything, he sustains everything and he controls everything. When trials and tribulations come it reveals to us our own weakness, smallness and frailty. The great nations of the world have been brought to a standstill and the ‘mighty’ leaders made to look powerless.
“When we think of a verse like Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good we may be tempted to ask is Covid-19 one of the ‘all things’? The answer to that must be yes if we mean all things. ”
We are reminded of a powerful truth in this text, it brings a division and a distinction between those who love God and are called according to his purpose and those who are not. In an uncertain and unsafe world none but Christian people have any consolation or hope at this present time.
Read these wonderful words of truth often referred to as the golden chain of salvation and enter into the pleasure ground of the soul, called according to his purpose, foreknown of God, predestined, justified, glorified!1 Recognise your standing before God, secure in Christ, indwelt by the Holy Spirit and on the road to glory.
None of us are promised exemption from troubles and trials and this present worldwide crisis is a real test of faith for the church of Christ, many are fearful but we are called in every circumstance of life to be good servants of Jesus Christ and to live as lights shinning in a dark place. As another hymn says,
Oft in danger, oft in woe,
Onward, Christian, onward go.
Such is our lot as we pilgrim through this barren land but we are on the victory side. We are more than conquerors through him who loved us and nothing present or future, nor anything in all creation is able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Driving along a main city thoroughfare a few weeks ago this once lively road with its many restaurants and coffee shops was now deserted and all in darkness. What was once a pleasure ground for many had now nothing to offer. It brought a sense of great sadness to me yet it reminded me that the bright lights that dazzle and the tempting sounds (or Menus) are things that pass.
It’s the solid joys and lasting treasure none but Zion’s children know that really counts. That’s the real pleasure ground for the believer’s soul.
Many promises have been made by our political leaders, promises of better days ahead when all this is over but they are promises that may not be kept.
We have the sure promises of God that will never fail. His children have a future that is safe and secure, an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled.
