Today my mind travelled back to the early 1980’s, when we travelled into the city of Dublin to give out tracts during the St. Patrick’s Day parades. I remember feeling back then that this day of festivities had little to do with Christianity, but today I feel that even more so.
As the years go by this form of outreach becomes more difficult – but there are many other ways the Lord would have His children reach out, whatever their limitations. He would have us seize opportunities and use occasions to reach out, for that night is coming when no man can work. (John 9v4) When we pray about this, He shows us what we should do and when He opens a door – no man can shut it! (Revelation 3v8)
The weather here in Ireland has been beautiful this past week and as I viewed some lovely sunsets, my thoughts somehow turned to Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) who was born on 1st June 1793. Henry wrote “Abide with me” as he watched the beauty of a setting sun. A sensitive young man, he came from a broken home in Scotland and received most of his education in Ireland, where he and a brother were sent by their father to boarding school in Portora Royal Boarding School in Enniskillen and then to Trinity College in Dublin. He affectionately remembered his mother whom he was never to see again and wrote of her in a boyhood poem: “light of my heart and guardian of my youth.”
Despite the heart breaking circumstances of his early life (or perhaps because of them) H.F. Lyte excelled as a literary student, winning the prize for the best English poem on three successive occasions. It is said that “Poets learn in suffering what they teach in song” and I believe this could apply to Henry Francis lyte.
He had previously wanted a medical career but somehow felt directed towards religion and in 1815 he was ordained into the Church of Ireland. However, a decision to be ordained into any church (as those who know the Lord are aware) is no indication that someone is a Christian. While ministering in Wexford Henry’s health began to fail and he was sent to France to recover. After his return to Ireland, he resigned his position there and eventually found a position in the temperate climate of Devon and Cornwall. It was here, while trying to minister to a dying clergyman colleague, that Francis Henry Lyte came to the awful realisation that he and his clergyman friend were both “blind leaders of the blind.” (Matthew 15v14)
As a result, they both studied the scriptures together and it would certainly appear that both came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I came across words of Henry which would indicate that he firmly believed that his dying friend had gone to be with His Lord and Saviour.
As for Henry Francis Lyte, he went on to express His love for his Master in the dozens of hymns which flowed from his pen, until at the relatively young age of 54, he was called Home. Henry loved creation and had an interest in wild flowers. He was also a supporter of the anti-slavery movement of the time, just as John Newton (1725-1807) author of “Amazing Grace” became after his conversion. Perhaps one of his best known hymns is “Abide with me,” inspired only two months before his death, by the beauty of the sun going down over Torbay and Dartmoor. He wrote the words of “Abide with me” on Sunday, September, 5th 1847 and on November 20th that same year, the sun went down on the life of Henry Francis Lyte.
I was recently struck anew by how the sinking sun on the western horizon appears to suddenly brighten before it disappears completely and my thoughts turned to Henry Francis Lyte who burned out for the Lord by writing hymns to His glory, which would inspire countless generations to come and whose hymn “Abide with me” was akin to the triumphant “setting sun” on the Christian’s life…
“I fear no foe with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness:
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
There were distressing scenes as anti-lockdown, anti-mask and anti-vaccination protesters attacked the police in Dublin this weekend. The wisest decisions weren’t always made (as regards not closing airports while at the same time enforcing a 5km limit) it’s true – but there can be no justification for the violence we viewed, with so many police officers injured. We are living in terrible days of civil unrest and rebellion against the forces of law and order; unfortunately people who would claim to be Christians are sharing viewpoints which are much the same as that of the rioters.
My recent readings in Romans 12&13 show me that “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12v18) In Romans 13 we are exhorted… “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Verse 1) Whatever our views, if they are not motivated by love for our neighbour, then those views have a dubious root. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13v10)
No one is being forced to take the vaccine and many have some very good personal reasons for not doing so (or perhaps they are hesitant until they see the long term effects) but no one has the right to stand in the way of others receiving it. Perhaps never in our lives have we ever seen so much mayhem, rioting and suffering on a global scale as we are seeing today – and tomorrow could be worse.
I love Romans 13v11… “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer that when we believed.” How true! It is therefore imperative that we follow the Lord Jesus Christ closely in our daily walk, reaching as many souls as possible with His great love poured out at Calvary, in the knowledge that His will is for all souls to come to repentance and a knowledge of the truth.
Jesus said: “Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13v35-37)
Paul’s exhortation in Romans 13v12-14 is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago… “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provisions for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Spiritually speaking, as the days grow darker…“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” (Romans 14v19) Bright and glorious Day may dawn sooner than we think and certainly at an hour unknown to any of us when, in the words of the Lord… “every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14v11&12)
I discovered the following encouraging little story recently in W.A. Weir’s old booklet: “There is Mercy.” What brought this particular story to mind is that a lovely racehorse has come to live in a field beside us and horses in Ireland often run in Punchestown in Dublin, although racing has been interrupted by a virus this year! I was interested to note that Punchestown is mentioned in this true old story which is set in Ireland in 1877…
“The Punchestown Races were over. Crowds were returning home from the famous Irish Derby by train and cross-channel boat. The year was 1877. Mr. Vincent, a retired gentleman, hurried to Kingstown (now Dun Laoghaire) Harbour, but arrived five minutes too late to catch the boat. Just five minutes… but great and unforeseen things happened as a result. The more closely we examine life and its destiny, the more solemn and mysterious it becomes, until we see the hand of God planning and overruling.
There was nothing else for Mr. Vincent, having missed the boat, but to stay the night in Dublin. He was at a loose end, and not knowing how to spend the evening, he went for a walk. His attention was caught by the names over a theatre: “D.L. Moody and Ira D. Sankey,” and he wondered what kind of company this would be. Going inside he was amazed to find the place crowded, and on the platform a man was singing. He had a wonderful voice, and the words were new and absolutely inescapable:
There were ninety and nine that safely lay
In the shelter of the fold;
But one was out on the hills away,
Far off from the gates of gold;
Away on the mountains wild and bare,
Away from the tender Shepherd’s care.
When the hymn was over, he sat down and heard D.L. Moody preach, and strange to say, instead of going home the next day, Mr. Vincent stayed on day and after day. Finally one evening he made the great decision to come as a sinner to the Saviour Who died for him. All that the world had offered was useless in face of his need in eternity. As Mr. Moody knelt beside him, he simply said: “Mr. Vincent, do you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins?”
“I do,” he replied. “Then thank Him,” said Moody. He gave thanks with all his heart, and left that room a transformed man. His conversion led in turn to the conversion of his friend Edward Studd, whose changed life caused a sensation amongst his old friends and neighbours. Not long afterwards his son, Charles T. Studd, the famous cricketer (1860 – 1931) was converted, and was called to be a missionary in China, and later in India and Africa. His work and influence has reached many lands.”
These amazing events can all be traced back to one man missing a boat by five minutes. How wonderful to know that God had planned it all!
In these days of a world pandemic, few are travelling very far but next time you miss a train, boat or plane, remember that the Lord most likely has a reason for this. Just over a hundred years earlier in 1773, William Cowper wrote…
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.
Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11v33) You, the reader may find in Him a Faithful Guide too, by simply repenting, trusting in Him as your Saviour and placing your life into His hands. May you know the peace that passes all understanding and your steps safely directed to be with the Lord Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price that we might have an assurance of sins forgiven and a Home in Heaven.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3v16)
I had been feeling pretty wretched in the last few days and of course when we display a couple of symptoms of the current virus, we think “I hope not…!” However, thankfully, I do feel much better today. It is important to remember that all the usual flu type “bugs” and other health problems haven’t taken a holiday from potentially plaguing us just because this new nasty specimen is doing the rounds on a global scale. Having summoned a bit of energy to clear up some old books, I wearily opened one to discover these uplifting words. It can be sung to the same tune as that of “Safe in the Arms of Jesus:”
Safe in Jehovah’s keeping, Led by His glorious arm, God is Himself my Refuge, A present help from harm. Fear may at times distress me, Griefs may my soul annoy; God is my strength and portion, God my exceeding joy.
Safe in Jehovah’s keeping, Safe in temptation’s hour, Safe in the midst of perils, Kept by Almighty power. Safe when the tempest rages, Safe though the night be long; Even when my sky is darkest God is my strength and song.
Sure is Jehovah’s promise, Nought can my soul assail; Here is my soul’s sure anchor, Entered within the veil. Blest is His love eternal, What can I want beside! Safe through the Blood that cleanseth, Safe in the Christ that died.
I decided to research the author of these words… and I found his testimony. Born in Mountjoy Square in Dublin in 1841, Robert Anderson, was quite an ambitious young man who later attended Trinity College in the city. When one of his sisters trusted the Lord to save her at a revival meeting, Robert, convicted of his own need, attended a meeting one evening but (like many young students) he had his own ideas about what a person must do to find peace with God. Interestingly, the preacher offered to walk part of the way home with him. The year was 1860, in early October, and I can imagine the scene as he and the preacher walked together through the streets of Dublin having that discussion after the meeting. On research I read that “John Hall (the preacher) stopped at one point, and faced the young man as they stood upon the pavement, and repeated with great solemnity his message and appeal: I tell you as a minister of Christ, and in His Name that there is Life for you here and now if you accept Him. Will you accept Christ or will you reject Him? After a pause – how long I know not – I exclaimed, in God’s Name I will accept Christ. Not another word passed between us, but after another pause he wrung my hand and left me. And I turned homeward with the peace of God filling my heart.” Between his studies at Trinity College, Robert went on preaching tours in those revival years, in counties throughout Ireland. He addressed meetings in the west of Ireland, in Mayo and Sligo, in the south in Cork and in towns of the north, including Armagh, Newry, Rostrevor and Banbridge. On his 22nd birthday Robert Anderson was called to the Irish Bar in 1863 and in time became the Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan police from 1888 to 1901. Wikipedia tells me that he was an intelligence officer with Scotland Yard, a theologian and a writer and that he presided over the investigation into the horrific crimes of “Jack the Ripper,” whose identity has never been exposed. He became “Sir Robert Anderson K.C.B., L.L.D.” In 1918 the Spanish flu pandemic raged throughout the world, affecting 500 million people (or one third of the world’s population). The number of deaths amounted to at least 50 million worldwide, with about 675,000 of these in the U.S.A. Unlike today’s pandemic, mortality was high in those younger than 5 years old and in otherwise healthy individuals of all ages. As for Sir Robert, I read in the old book that “after an attack of influenza, he in measure recovered, sat working till 10.30 am, retired to rest, and at 11am quietly passed into the presence of his Master whom he loved on November 15th, 1918.” At the end of the day, despite Sir Robert’s achievements in the things of this world, it is the words of this hymn written over 100 years ago that touched me as I felt weak and weary last night – and it is his own simple testimony to God’s saving grace that gladdens my heart. I pray that multitudes would not die from today’s pandemic without hearing and being deeply touched by those simple words… “Will you accept Christ or will you reject Him?” There is indeed “Life for you here and now if you accept Him.” It is unthinkable to reach the cliff of eternity without having made Him the Lord and Saviour of our lives and in these uncertain days it is good to be certain of one thing – that we are ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, who has said… “him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6v37) and whose last recorded words are… “Surely I come quickly.” (Revelation 22v20)
There is no doubt about it; the Ireland of 1979 was vastly different to the Ireland we know today. Between 29th September and 1st October, 1979 Pope John Paul II visited Ireland and by all accounts, received a rapturous welcome from citizens young and old. I remember half of my work colleagues in the office where I worked in Northern Ireland taking the day off to travel south of the border in order to get a glimpse of him. However, back then no one knew what the following decades would reveal in terms of shocking and horrific child abuse carried out by Roman Catholic Priests and nuns – and the historical abuse of women in “Magdalene Laundries.” We were to learn of mass graves at the back of institutions run by Roman Catholic orders, the abuse of little children in “industrial schools” and the fact that babies and young children were used for medical experiments. Many babies and young children were forcibly taken from their mothers and sold to those wanting to adopt in U.S.A. and a great number of mothers would never see their children again. I have heard heart-breaking stories of how mother and child had tried to find each other years later but sometimes it was just too late and one of them had passed away. The aura of secrecy and the withholding of records in the early days certainly didn’t help either.
Many people are justifiable very angry about this and many have understandably abandoned their affiliation to the Roman Catholic system. Unfortunately that spiritual void in their lives has often been replaced by secularism or paganism or some eastern philosophy or one of the many cults pervading society here. That being so, there are still quite a number of “mass goers,” especially amongst the older population and also many “a la carte Catholics” who will pay homage to the system at particular moments in their lives or in the lives of their families.
However, the following words of our Taoiseach (the Irish Prime Minister) have angered a considerable number of Irish taxpayers. He was making the statement that “while the visit by Pope Francis is not a State visit, it will be treated as such in terms of security measures and cost.” He went on the say: “It is ultimately taxpayers’ money but I believe the majority of taxpayers in the country would want us to meet these costs as it is an historic visit. The vast majority of people will welcome Pope Francis to our country.” Given that the cost of this visit will amount to at least 20 million Euro and Ireland has a health care crises, homelessness and uncompensated victims of abuse, well, I am not so sure if he is in touch with reality…
There will be widely differing reactions to the pope’s visit but the Christian should and must use it as an opportunity. There are expected to be around 3,000 journalists from around the world in Dublin at that time, for the “World Meeting of Families” (held from 22nd – 26th August) which is to coincide with the pope’s visit. (The pope is to arrive on 25th August.) The Taoiseach has also said that “families in all their shapes and forms should be celebrated” and that this will “be relayed to the Vatican.”
As I said, the Ireland of 1979 is vastly different to the one we know today… But the need is still the same. Men, women, boys and girls need to find the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour – something which cannot be achieved by infant baptism, confirmation, participating in the mass, confession to men or penance. Only “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1John 1v7) “The Church” is not a building or an organisation or a denomination but is made up of those souls who have repented and trusted in Him alone for salvation and who are “walking in the light as He is in the light.” If only mankind could see this!
It is all too easy for the Christian (those true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ) to despair when they look at the prevailing circumstances in society but we must look up, always keeping in mind that, in the words of an old hymn, “the sky is our goal – not the grave.” But before we depart this life or the Lord comes to take us Home, there is work to be done, for it is not His will that any to perish. Yes, He can use those who have committed their lives to Him, however weak and helpless we may feel in the face of this rapidly deteriorating world where “spiritual wickedness in high places” abounds. May the small number of stalwarts who truly know Him, write, witness, speak, reach out in love, distribute tracts – and most of all pray for the salvation of souls before the Lord’s return.
Two members of my family have had occasion to spend many hours just recently at both the Mater and the Mater Private; both hospitals beside each other in Eccles Street, Dublin. One day, in the middle of all those lonely worrying hours spent pacing depressing hospital corridors, I took a breath of fresh air on the street outside and suddenly remembered something which lifted me spiritually. Wasn’t it in Eccles Street that one of Ireland’s best known hymn writers was born? Some say she was born at Ballykean House, Redcross, Co. Wicklow, but either way I believe that this lady had links to both these locations.
It is widely believed that Mrs Cecil Frances Alexander (nee Humphreys) was born to Major John and Mrs Humphreys at 25 Eccles Street, Dublin in early April 1818. In fact this year would be the 200th anniversary of her birth! Best known for the lovely hymns she wrote for children like “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “There is a Green Hill Far Away,” Frances was a prolific writer who wrote verse from a very early age.
As I wondered on that busy troubled street with taxis blaring their horns and ambulance sirens drowning my ears, I passed asylum seekers from troubled parts of the world and homeless people sitting begging on the pavement and I saw a man with one leg wheeling himself swiftly forward…
Two hundred years have passed and the Eccles Street where Frances was born has changed entirely, so much so that 25 Eccles Street, the Humphreys’ old family home, would appear to no longer exist. From what I could see, there was a park there now; a little area of green with a few trees and birds gently singing in the middle of mankind’s mayhem. I remembered Frances’ well known carol “Once in Royal David’s City” and the little hymn about my loving Creator that she used to teach children about creation in her Sunday school…
“All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.”
And I remembered that the hands that designed the petals on the spring flowers and the glowing colours on the feathers of the tiny birds were pierced for me – and for you. How He cares for and loves us and our families – and every needy soul in that street where hearts are burdened with poverty, suffering and a load of care. I thank Him for His Presence and His uplifting Spirit as I walk in this world which is not my home. I thank Him for the memory of the old hymn writers and their faith in the risen Saviour; something which is portrayed in Mrs Alexander’s hymn for little children…
“There is a green hill far away,
Without a city wall,
Where the dear Lord was crucified,
Who died to save us all.”
He died that we might be forgiven,
He died to make us good,
That we might go at last to heaven,
Saved by His precious blood.”
I returned to that hospital ward with a spring in my step, remembering that He is with me all the way… gently leading to Eternal Day. May you know the love of Jesus, the risen Saviour, in your heart today.
On Saturday, 13th May last the first beatification ceremony ever on Irish soil took place and I was dismayed (but not surprised) to learn that the Church of Ireland Archbishop officiated alongside the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin at this ceremony.
The candidate for beatification, John Sullivan, born on 8th May 1861 at 41 Eccles Street in Dublin was one of five children born to Sir Edward Sullivan (a member of the Church of Ireland and later Lord Chancellor of Ireland) and Elizabeth Bailey, a Roman Catholic from a prominent land-owning household in Passage West. It is reported that he was raised in the Church of Ireland but later converted to Catholicism in 1896, aged 35.
Much that is positive has been recorded about this man, as indeed it has about other notable men and women down through history – but the eternal destination of their souls is something over which only Almighty God has control. God’s Word tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3v23) so how can mortal man have some sort of role in the “promotion” of a soul which has departed this life?
In this, the year of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, it is very disturbing to see how ecumenism has eaten into the fabric of many mainline denominations, which would once have stood firmly for the great truths of God’s Word, the Holy Bible; truths for which men and women suffered and died at the stake.
I have previously written about beatification in my blog: “Why Beatification is Blasphemous & Contrary to Scripture,” on 2nd May, 2011 and now it is with sadness that I learn of this very recent event. As I have previously said:
“There is absolutely no scriptural foundation for the notion that men (whatever position they have been elected to) have the power to decide the destiny of a soul who has passed into eternity. Hebrews 9v27 tells me that “…it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…” Who judges us? Surely only God has the power to decide my spiritual standing, or yours – or that of any pope who has ever walked this earth? According to the Roman Catholic Church, “beatification is the last step on the road to sainthood.” How contrary to scripture this is, for whenever I read of ‘saints’ in the New Testament, they are indeed living followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. For example Paul writes to the living not to the dead in Ephesians 1v1… “to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus,” and “to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:” (Philippians 1v1.) The saints then (and today!) are ordinary men and women who have come by faith to a living relationship with the Lord.
The fact is… only saints can enter heaven! In Jude 14 we read that Enoch prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.”
John 1v12&13 tells me that … “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
Saints are therefore born by the will of God and not by the will of men – and although their bodies die, they live on in the spirit and are elevated to heaven; not by the will of man, but by God the Creator, Saviour and indwelling Holy Spirit of all who come to Him in repentance and faith in His finished work for them at Calvary.
My prayer is that souls would come to see the “spiritual wickedness in high places” and these “doctrines of devils” that are prevalent in such ceremonies as beatification. The Bible tells me that the “love of money is the root of all evil” and I am inclined to think that prayers for the dead, relics, beatification and great ceremonies in the Vatican and other locations bring in much needed finance at times like this.
May my Lord and Saviour speak to those souls who are sincerely searching for truth and questioning the validity of such practices, beliefs and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church. Oh that they would see clearly the simplicity and wonder of this truth… that sainthood is totally God’s will for each one of us and that this has been made possible for us here and now in this life – by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ… “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins…” (Colossians 1v14
During the past week I was immediately struck by the above headline of an article in my local newspaper. The first paragraph of this article read: “This coming Easter Sunday will see people joining together to celebrate the ultimate sacrifice that can be made by any one person or group of people, dying for a cause.” However, of course the article was about the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, prior to the formation of the Irish Free State and later the Republic of Ireland – but I could not help noticing the spiritual parallel!
The online ‘Urban Dictionary’ informs me that ‘the ultimate sacrifice’ is ‘to give everything you have to save someone or something that you hold most dear.’
In the midst of all the celebrations to mark this occasion, I wonder how many are thinking of the greatest ultimate sacrifice that this world has ever known… or will ever know? We are indeed ‘most dear;’ our souls most precious to the Lord Jesus Christ, to the extent that He left the riches of Glory, to descend into this world of sinners, to be held in derision and contempt, to be mocked – and then to suffer the most agonising death at the hands of ignorant people who hated Him “without a cause.”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3v16) What a noble sacrifice! This sacrifice has indeed given a life changing and an eternity changing opportunity to every single member of the human race; the opportunity to be free from sin, spiritual death – and ultimately the unthinkable horrors of hell.
In return for this ultimate sacrifice, the Lord Jesus wants nothing – but our repentant hearts, our love and our obedience. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” (Hebrews 2v3) “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2v9)
Many will celebrate a ‘rising’ in the political sense this Easter… but how many will celebrate the greatest and most victorious rising that ever was or will be? “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” (Matthew 28v6)
Oh that you, the reader, would taste and see… the love that Jesus hath for thee! Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16v33)
“And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” (Hebrews 10v11/12)
“And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgement: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9v27&28) My prayer is that all who read would truly be found ‘looking for Him’ upon the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some weeks ago on a sunny spring day, we had the opportunity to see the re-enactment of the Battle of Clontarf in the lovely location of St. Anne’s Park, Raheny in Dublin. Hundreds of ‘soldiers’ had arrived over from many parts of Scandinavia and even Russia for the event, while many of the stall holders were from all over Europe and even some from the U.S.A.
I found it a most fascinating event, showing many of the old arts and crafts, costumes and materials, ways of cooking and way of life in general from one thousand years ago, being demonstrated in the large area devoted to the occasion.
In the Battle of Clontarf, which took place on 23rd April, 1014 in Clontarf on the east coast of Ireland, Brian Boru (High King of Ireland) was fighting against a Viking-Irish alliance which consisted of Sigtrygg Silkbeard, king of Dublin, Mάel Mόrda mac Murchada, king of Leinster, and the Vikings Sigurd of Orkney and Brodir of Mann. That battle lasted from dawn to dusk; between 7000 and 10,000 men were killed and Brian Boru’s forces were victorious but unfortunately he was killed, as was his son and grandson.
As I thought about this significant battle in Irish history just recently, I also thought about the spiritual battle that the children of God face throughout life…
From the moment we take that stand, that first step of faith which declares that ‘we are on the Lord’s side’ we can be sure that we have a most deadly enemy. He knows our vulnerabilities, both physical and emotional and will viciously attack if he suspects that our defences are down. We can never over-estimate the deep hatred and deviousness that the evil one has towards the Lord’s people and how he will create misunderstandings and cause trouble, even between fellow Christians, given the right (or should I say ‘wrong’) conditions.
I believe that it is true to say that we face spiritual warfare every day (like the Battle of Clontarf – from dawn to dusk)… and yet I know that the battle has already been won for us by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only in His strength that we can overcome – not by using the manmade defences and words of this world.
There are many hymns devoted to this spiritual warfare: “Forward Soldiers,” “Marching On,” “A Call to Arms,” “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” “We Shall Win!” “Who Would True Valour See,” “Soldiers of Christ,” “Victory for Me,” “Stand up Stand up for Jesus,” “Overcomers,” “Onward Christian Soldiers…”
Day and night we stand accused by the evil one; is he not the accuser of the brethren? (Rev. 12v10)
Yet the words of the Lord to His people in 2Chronicles 20v15 are indeed for His people today: “Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord…” (Verse 17)
We are commanded to “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” (Ephesians 6v10-18)
And some wonderful day for those who are victorious in Him “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Rev. 21v4)
Interestingly the Battle of Clontarf was fought on Good Friday (23rd April 1014)… but surely the battle that outshadows all battles in the history of this world was won over a thousand years previously! On this glorious day the victory was won over sin and death and hell for all mankind, ‘the whosoever will,’ by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary.
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15v55-57)
Surely, if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8v31)
Elizabeth Burke's Blog 