davidbowerkingwood

The Inevitability of Passage!

The expression, “and it came to pass,” is used many times in the King James translation of the Bible; when it comes to this world and the circumstances of life, virtually nothing is permanent, all is in a process of passing.

As I approach my 89th birthday, I am fully aware, sometimes painfully aware, of the changes to the tent I have been occupying during the brief years of my mortality. To a much lessor extent, I am aware of changes that have taken place in the lives of others.

It is, in a way, sobering to recall all the changes I’ve witnessed over the years; life is a very transient affair as are particular situations and circumstances; all have come to pass!

Like all the years before it, 2021 has exited the stage of human life and passed into history. Upon reflection, it seems like a rather good thing to see that year in the rear-view mirror. While there were many good things that happened, the bad things seem to dominate my memories. There is really no need to enumerate them here as they are still fresh on the minds of most of us.

What is important to all of us, is to remember that God is working all things after the counsel of his own will; there is nothing that happened last year that was not a part of God’s plans for his creation. Another important point is to also remember God is working all things together for good for his children!

God’s Assembly Instructions for Christians

Fortunately, God does not require we understand what is happening, just to trust him and find our peace and joy in our faith in him! That is a liberating fact of the Christian life, to be sure! I rejoice in the promises given to God’s children in Romans 8:26-30 where it is written:

“²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”

Those verses serve as a solid foundation for the Christian life; if we can apply those verses to our lives each and every day, our lives should be filled with the joy of the Lord! While years and circumstances may come to pass, God’s love for us has come to stay!

Let us resolve to follow God’s counsel in 2022 and let Philippians 4:4-9 be our guide:

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

I encourage you to follow God’s instructions and enjoy God’s peace, the best has yet to come!