Let me begin by extending a huge thank you to everyone for the welcome that you have given my family and I. To name everyone would take more space than this blog affords, but for those who painted, cleaned, gardened, prayed, hugged and waved, thank you for your kindness and hospitality. It has been so encouraging to receive such a welcome as we have returned to this special place, though with the amount of Haribo it looks like I will be consuming, I am glad to still be registered with the dentist.
What a joy to gather in worship together at the licensing service (beats watching England) and for my first Sunday in post. I found the licensing service especially moving. It was wonderful to join in worship and celebrate together, as a foretaste of the kingdom to come when all will proclaim with one voice Jesus Christ is Lord. I am grateful to all of you who have prayed for Jo and I and the family but also for all the prayers that have been offered for the life of St Johns in this season.
In preparation for the licensing service, I have been reading through some of Kings and Chronicles and looking at the contrast between kings who sought to lead lives dedicated to God through worship, prayer and obedience, and those who lived lives of corruption and idolatry. It is troubling that too few kings chose to lead the nation of Israel faithfully. King Jehoshaphat (yes, I know, what a great name) was an exception. He brought about significant reform to Judah through establishing just judges to settle disputes among his people. He called the people to remember Gods faithfulness to fear Him and follow Him wholeheartedly. When faced with an overwhelming enemy force, Jehoshaphat chose to pray and to worship, trusting in God to deliver them from the hand of their enemies. As they faced the enemy, they exchanged a war cry with worship declaring in familiar song: “Give thanks to the Lord for his steadfast love endures forever”. What happened next? Well, check out 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 and find out for yourself.
Our reading at my first service told a similar story. Paul and Silas were imprisoned for proclaiming Jesus to a pagan culture. In doing so they caused a civil disruption and found themselves beaten and bound in prison. In the darkness and disruption of their circumstances they chose to pray and worship the God who redeems, and as God had done for Jehoshaphat, he did for Paul and Silas and delivered them from their enemies.
Both my licensing and first Sunday services were filled with worship and prayer as we joined in one voice to declare the faithfulness of God. Prayer and worship play a vital role in reminding us that the faithfulness of God is not based upon our circumstances, but upon His unchanging and perfect nature.
When you read this, it is highly likely that you will have cast your vote in the general election. As a father with a daughter who is now eligible to vote, I find it increasingly difficult to know how to navigate these current political waters. These days contain both opportunity and challenge for us. Regardless of our political views we are the people of God called to worship and serve the King of Kings, who will one day return and bring His kingdom in full, and what a glorious day that will be. As we consider the way ahead and what God has in store for us, what better and more fitting way to begin this adventure with a renewed commitment to worship and prayer in hopeful expectation of His coming again.
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is he, like Jehoshaphat went back to the law saying:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.” As we seek to bring the good news of Jesus in Burscough and beyond let us follow the example of Jehoshaphat, or Paula and Silas, and seek the Lord in worship and prayer, to be a people that take seriously the words of Jesus who is truth and life.
God Bless,
Rev. Elliott Ireton
