Truth To Wonder: conversation for christ

November is a month that brings us many opportunities for thankful reflection and remembrance of God’s daily provision. As the rich colours of autumn leaves gently fall from lofty trees, it soothes the soul to see the incredible artistry of the Lord God. The Creation He made with the power of His Word, is not only mathematically and scientifically complex at all levels of existence but is exquisitely beautiful also. 

Too often we rush through each God given day with a frantic manner. This means we often find ourselves unwittingly fixating on the stresses and problems of our days. We forget that we are surrounded by a wealth of stunningly crafted Creation that declares the very handiwork of God. In missing this testimony of God’s love that surrounds us in Creation, we rob ourselves of the assurance of His care for us that He would have us rest in. From the crashing waves at the seaside, to the gentle sounds of autumnal breezes pushing softly through auburn coloured woods, there are reminders of God’s artistic majesty all around. In quiet reflection and remembrance, we see this witness and are humbled to consider a great truth. That Christ did not die for such beautiful things as the rolling mountains, or great oceans, but for we frail and fallen sinners.

Following this we have Bonfire Night. A time to give awe filled thanks to God for how He preserved this nation at a pivotal moment in history. Early in the days of the reign of a new king (James I), Catholic conspirators sought to blow up James and his government and reinstitute a Catholic monarchy over England. If this plot of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators had succeeded, the most widely read and effective of all Holy Bible translations that is the AV/KJV Bible, would’ve never been published. And so countless millions across the globe and indeed many generations would’ve never known the Pure Word of God for themselves. They would’ve never heard the Good News that salvation is by faith alone through grace alone. That all one need do to be saved is to repent of their sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour and Redeemer. By the grace of God, this treasonous plot was uncovered, and the light of the Pure Word of God broke forth six years later in the publishing of that most regal of Bible translations. 

Then a few days later we pause and reflect on how all these freedoms and comforts we take for granted today, were secured with the cost of millions of lives in brutal conflict. Those people gave their today so that we could have a tomorrow. They laid down their lives to protect the freedoms and light that God had blessed them with through the giving of His Holy Scriptures. We rightly stop at 11am on November 11th, to remember those who did not fear the battle and the sacrifice, as they treasured the prize of freedom and truth greater than the next beat of their heart. Such bravery was often fuelled by a trust in the Word of God. A trust that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truth in its most powerful, pure and potent form.

As we come to a close on this year, let’s not rush through the last few days just to gorge on the temporary frivolities of the Christmas season. Let’s take these important days to step back from the hustle and bustle of life. In doing so, draw near to our Lord and God in thankful prayer and study of His Word. By this, we will be reminded of just how mighty, faithful, merciful and loving He always is. We can take those quiet moments to remember how He has watched over and lead countless lives to peace and glory throughout all generations. 

These testimonies that are ours to know in such quiet moments of study and reflection, confirm to us what we know to be true in our hearts by the witness of the Holy Spirit. His witness that we are a new creature in Christ Jesus, and that we are loved with an everlasting love. Amen.