This is an article that I wrote years ago before I was married. My husband and I edited and updated it last night.
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These days it seems that no matter what country or part of the world one comes from or lives in violence, trouble, and turmoil are either present or near at hand. It can become quite easy to have a very limited view, seeing just our own troubles and the fearfulness of the time in which we are living. Christians today are often sadly lacking in a historical view of our spiritual ancestors despite talk about "our historic faith," "historical positions," "Baptist History," and so forth .
The third verse of the old hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers" is a potent reminder, however:
"Crowns and thrones may perish,
Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus
Constant will remain;
Gates of hell can never
'Gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise,
And that cannot fail."
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Amen!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were blessed, Nann. Thanks for reading and commenting.
DeleteHere's another great hymn - verse 3 of This is My Father's world. I found 2 versions of it, the first I am most familiar (and have been greatly comforted by!):
ReplyDeleteThis is my Father’s world:
Oh, let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world,
The battle is not done:
Jesus who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
3 This is my Father's world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!
Amen. That is a beautiful hymn too, and such comforting words. Thank you for sharing it here. I like the first version the best also. It's very appropriate to this article.
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