You are now in the hands of God, the rest is history

Written by Jason Kinnick

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     “The Rest is History” is a podcast hosted by two English Historians and authors. These two cheeky blokes dialogue over many historical periods including the cosmopolis of Baghdad up to and including Custer and the Battle of Little Bighorn.  I recently enjoyed episode 406 “ The Nazis in Power: Hitler’s Road to War”. Tom and Dominic discussed the rise of the Nazi regime, retelling the infamous acts of the Third Reich and of those who were exposed to them. To quote an excerpt from this episode: “ No one can doubt that this world will one day be the scene of dreadful struggles for existence on the part of mankind. In the end, the instinct of self-preservation alone will triumph” As I listened, trying to sort out the impact of these events and what they will eventually lead to, one thing was certain to me: How thankful I was that I did not live during those times or under that regime. This particular account helped me see my circumstances in a brighter light, summoned a wind within my mind that blew the somber Eeyore rain clouds away, and allowed me to rest my thoughts on the beloved where they belong. 

     When we find ourselves grumbling and our outlook bleak, we struggle to remember the examples that help us move from that place of complaining and wallowing to that of praise and thanksgiving. Like the historian who studies the writings of the secular accounts of the past, the Christian turns to the scriptures as the primary source to reflect on the numerous accounts that provide examples for us, examples to move us to a place of thanksgiving and praise and give us hope. The voice of the scriptures pleads with us, to look into our ungrateful hearts and convince us to repent and return back to a soul that is quiet, thankful, and full of joy! Stories that remind us of worse times with characters that suffered well and kept a heart of gratitude despite their circumstances. Acts chapter 8 came to mind as it has been the most recent of sermons coming over the pulpit at CCF from our beloved Pastor Larry.  

     As Saul is persecuting the Church resulting in the scattering of the apostles, Stephen was buried and mourned over. The gospel is brought to Samaria, an Ethiopian believes, and is baptized and we are told of the great joy that is coming out of Samaria. Amid great persecution, joy was found in the preaching of the gospel. 

4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing. 7 For in the case of many who had unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was much rejoicing in that city.

    As we start to approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas season turning our eyes to the manger, the birth of Jesus and thanksgiving, let us begin to search our hearts and prepare to rejoice at the birth of the Messiah, our source of joy and the foundation of why we of all people can be thankful in the midst of undesirable circumstances. Our lives are full of ups and downs, turns and twists, ignore the circumstantial and focus on the fact that you are His and no one can separate you from Him! History has proven that God is faithful to those that love Him and His kingdom endures forever. 

Soli Deo Gloria

-Pastor Jason Kinnick