Looking Back on the Last 25 Years of God's Faithfulness
Twenty-five years ago this month, we were dealing with the news that by the end of the year, Garry's employment with Moody Press (Chicago) would end, that his department was going to be phased out and, after 16 years, there was no other place for him in the ministry. I learned this the day before our fourth wedding anniversary. To say I was stunned would be accurate. How could there not be any place for him after all those years?
Fifty weeks after his last day at Moody Press, he began to work for Grace to You, John MacArthur's media ministry in Southern California, and was there for 19 years. I admit I had never thought of living in California, but it was where we were meant to be.
Five years ago, we found ourselves in transition once again, moving from the West Coast to the Midwest, as Garry took "early" retirement and we had the option to be part of a new church in the Cincinnati area, Truth Community.
Have these transitions been easy? The first one in 1993-94 was probably the hardest, since we had certain expectations at that time.
Let me share some Scripture passages from the NASB which have supported and encouraged us over these years.
This passage from James came to mean a lot in our first transition: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' But you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that'" (James 4:13-15).
This Psalm also became very precious and sustaining over these 25 years: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah" (Psalm 46:1-3).
Garry's favorite verse comes at the end of John 16: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world" (v. 33).
I take comfort and encouragement from Paul's letter to the Philippians, particularly these verses: "The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:5b-8).
I conclude with these verses from Lamentations, familiar to so many: "This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' say my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24).
Fifty weeks after his last day at Moody Press, he began to work for Grace to You, John MacArthur's media ministry in Southern California, and was there for 19 years. I admit I had never thought of living in California, but it was where we were meant to be.
Five years ago, we found ourselves in transition once again, moving from the West Coast to the Midwest, as Garry took "early" retirement and we had the option to be part of a new church in the Cincinnati area, Truth Community.
Have these transitions been easy? The first one in 1993-94 was probably the hardest, since we had certain expectations at that time.
Let me share some Scripture passages from the NASB which have supported and encouraged us over these years.
This passage from James came to mean a lot in our first transition: "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' But you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, 'If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that'" (James 4:13-15).
This Psalm also became very precious and sustaining over these 25 years: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah" (Psalm 46:1-3).
Garry's favorite verse comes at the end of John 16: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world" (v. 33).
I take comfort and encouragement from Paul's letter to the Philippians, particularly these verses: "The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:5b-8).
I conclude with these verses from Lamentations, familiar to so many: "This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 'The LORD is my portion,' say my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him'" (Lamentations 3:21-24).
posted by Ebeth | 8:04 AM
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