THE DIVINE GARDENER

We may think that our lot is especially hard—and may wish that it were otherwise. We may wish that we had a life of ease and luxury, amid softer scenes—with no briers or thorns, no worries or provocations. We think that then we would be always gentle, patient, serene, trustful, happy. How delightful it would be—never to have a care, an irritation, a trouble, a single vexing thing!

But the fact remains that the place in which we find ourselves—is the very place in which the Master desires us to live our life! There is no haphazard in God’s world. God leads every one of His children by the right way. He knows where and under what influences, each particular life will ripen best.

One tree grows best in the sheltered valley, another by the water’s edge, another on the bleak mountain-top swept by storms. Every tree or plant is found in the precise locality to enhance its growth. And does God give more thought to trees and plants than to His own children? No!

He places us amid the circumstances and experiences in which our life will grow and ripen the best. The peculiar trials to which we are each subjected is the exact discipline we each need to bring out the beauties and graces of true spiritual character in us. We are in the right school. We may think that we would ripen more quickly in less stressful circumstances. But God knows what is best for us: He makes no mistakes!

There was a primrose growing by itself in a shady corner of the garden, which became discontented as it saw the other flowers in their mirthful beds in the sunshine, and begged to be moved to a more conspicuous place. Its petition was granted. The gardener transplanted it to a more showy and sunny spot. It was greatly pleased—but a change soon came over it. Its blossoms lost much of their beauty, and became pale and sickly. The hot sun caused them to faint and wither. So it prayed again to be taken back to its old place in the shade.

The wise gardener knows best where to plant each flower.

Just so, God, The divine Gardener, knows where His people will best grow into what He would have them to be. Some require the fierce storms; some will only thrive in the shadow of worldly adversity; and some come to ripeness more sweetly under the soft and gentle influences of prosperity, whose beauty, rough experiences would mar. The divine Gardener knows what is best for each one!

There is no position in this world, in the allotment of Providence, in which it is not possible to be a true Christian, exemplifying all the virtues of godliness. The grace of Christ has in it, potency enough to enable us to live a godly life wherever we are called to dwell.

When God chooses a pattern of life for us He fits us for its peculiar trials.

God adapts His grace to the peculiarities of each one’s necessity. For rough, flinty paths—He provides shoes of iron. He never sends anyone to climb sharp, rugged mountain-sides, wearing silken slippers. He always gives sufficient grace. As the burdens grow heavier, the strength increases. As the difficulties thicken—He draws closer. As the trials become sorer—the trusting heart grows calmer.

Jesus always sees His disciples when they are toiling in the waves—and at the right moment He comes to deliver them. Thus, it becomes possible to live a victorious life in any circumstances.

Christ can as easily enable Joseph to remain pure and true in heathen Egypt as Benjamin in the shelter of his father’s love. The sharper the temptation—the greater the Grace that is bestowed. There is, therefore, no environment of trial or difficulty or hardship in which we cannot live beautiful lives of Christian fidelity and holy conduct.

Instead, then, of yielding to discouragement when trials multiply and it becomes hard to live right, … it should be our settled purpose to live, through the grace of God, a patient, gentle and unspotted life—in the place, and amid the circumstances, He allots to us. After all, true victory is not found in escaping or evading trials but in rightly meeting and enduring them.

The question should not be, “How can I get out of these worries? How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritation, nothing to try my temper or put my patience to the test? How can I avoid the distractions that continually harass me?”

There is nothing noble in such an attitude to life.

One should rather ask, “How can I pass through these trying experiences and not fail as a Christian? How can I endure these struggles—and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations and yet live sweetly, not speaking unadvisedly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?”

This is indeed the challenge of living godly in an ungodly world.

But the weary Christian says, “The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.” (Isa 49:14-16).

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov 3:5-6).

[Source unknown, edited and adapted. Thanks to Elder Joseph for sending to me this article, 12 November 2014. JK]

WAS JESUS BORN IN WINTER?

We have Christmas carols that speak of the birth of our Saviour as occurring in winter. For instance, the carol The FIRST NOEL tells us that the shepherds were “keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep.” Then there is the famous Christmas poem IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER, not forgetting WINTER MOON by our beloved founding pastor Timothy Tow, which speaks of a wintry nativity.

Now, we can be quite certain that Jesus was born in 5 BC. But at which time of the year was He born? It has been traditionally held that Jesus was born on December 25th. This date was held since the 3rd century and can be traced to Hippolytus (165-235) who in his commentary on Daniel (4.23) spoke of December 25th as the date of Christ’s birth. Now, Hippolytus was said to be a disciple of Irenaeus who was a disciple of Polycarp and Polycarp as we know was a disciple of the Apostle John. It is possible that this date—December 25th—has been traditionally passed down from the time of the Apostles. I stress that it is only possible.

There are those who object to a winter date. The main objection is primarily due to Luke’s account which reported that the shepherds were out in the fields at night tending to their flocks. It is argued that the flocks would be kept indoors during the winter months (December-February) and would not be out in the fields at night.

However, it ought to be said that this argument while valid is not foolproof for the following reasons:

(1) The winter at the time of Christ’s birth could have been a mild one. If so, the shepherds could still let their sheep out to graze.

(2) Although it is true that in the winter months, the shepherds did not venture far out into the wilderness in search for pasture for their sheep, it does not preclude them from letting their sheep out to graze in the surrounding vicinity of their home villages. Note that in the biblical account, the shepherds were back in Bethlehem and not out in the wilderness. This strongly suggests a winter nativity.

(3) In the Mishnah (Shekalim 7.4) it is said that sheep in the vicinity of Jerusalem (Bethlehem included) were to be out in the open if they were to be offered as sacrifices 30 days before the Passover. This would mean the sheep had to be out in the open in a winter month (ie February). Thus it is not the case that sheep were kept inside all the time and not at all let out in the fields in winter (December-February).

Therefore, although we may not say conclusively that it is December 25th, the winter date for Christ’s birth is not unreasonable. At any rate, when we celebrate Christmas, it is not the date we remember but the event. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

A total of 44 pilgrims will embark on FEBC’s 18th Holy Land Pilgrimage (Israel, Jordan, Cyprus) departing tonight. They come from ten churches, namely Calvary Pandan BPC, Bethel BPC (Melbourne), Christ Methodist Church, Church of Our Saviour, Faith Presbyterian Church (Perth), GKY Presbyterian Church (Indonesia), Gospel Light BPC, Sharon BPC, Tabernacle BP Church, and True Life BPC.

Please remember us in prayer. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Ps 122:6). All pilgrims to be at Changi Airport T1 by 9.30 pm. Emirates flight EK349.