OzThoughts – Friday 10th July, 2009

OzThoughts – Friday 10th July, 2009

Yesterday, I suggested some phrases I thought of as I read the day’s passage from Matthew’s Gospel. I also suggested you might think of some others. Did you thin of any?
In the continuation of yesterday’s passage we read today, four phrases stand out: Stay alert; Don't be naïve; Don't quit and Be survivors!
It must be many years since I sang:
When you feel weakest, dangers surround,
Subtle temptations, troubles abound,
Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,
All is despairing, everything sad:
And
If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be, and where the fight?
But in the hardness, God gives to you
Chances of proving that you are true.

Then comes the assurance in the chorus:

Keep on believing, Jesus is near;
Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way;
Faith in the night as well as the day.

Yes ! Stay alert ! Be a survivor! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.
Matthew 10:16-23 (The Message)
16"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
17-20"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
21-23"When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you, even people in your own family. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don't quit. Don't cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you've run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.

[Listen: Regal Zonophone 78rpm: http://www.regalzonophone.com/audio/MF218%20-%20(G21681)%20-%20Song%20-%20Keep%20on%20Believing.mp3 ]

When you feel weakest, dangers surround,
Subtle temptations, troubles abound,
Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,
All is despairing, everything sad:

Chorus
Keep on believing, Jesus is near;
Keep on believing, there's nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way;
Faith in the night as well as the day.

If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be, and where the fight?
But in the hardness, God gives to you
Chances of proving that you are true.

God is your wisdom, God is your might,
God's ever near you, guiding aright;
He understands you, knows all you need;
Trusting in him you'll surely succeed.

Let us press on then, never despair,
Live above feeling, victory's there;
Jesus can keep us so near to him
That nevermore our faith shall grow dim.
Authors: Lucy Milward Booth-Hellberg (1868-1953
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 773

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