In the final week of January, 2021, we have all seen the terrible news that 100,000 Covid-19 deaths have now been recorded in the UK. This is a sad and tragic milestone and one that has given rise to much comment from media outlets and news reports.
Reflecting on this situation my mind has immediately gone to the Lord’s words as recorded in the Gospel of Luke; "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28 NKJV) We are indeed seeing 'distress of nations with perplexity' and the context of our Saviour’s words is related to the coming of the Son of Man and the signs that must take place before His coming in glory. For other passages indicating world conditions before the Second Coming see Matt 24:21-25, 37-39; 1 Thess 5:3; 1 Tim 3:1 and 2 Peter 3;3-4.
We do indeed need to 'look up and lift our heads' at this time and we also need abide in Him (John 15:4-11) and be connected to the source of our strength and hope. Our family daily devotion for one of the days this week was entitled 'Plugged In' and referred to all the technology that we have today. Many of us use smart phones and tablets with a whole plethora of functions which give us instant communication and yet they are of absolutely no use if they are not charged up. Humanly speaking if we forget to plug in these gadgets to recharge them, and they run down, then we have no connection to anything. The spiritual parallel is obvious.
The devotional reading summed it up this way; "Jesus wants us to 'plug in' to Him every day. He asks us to abide in Him to be connected. Through Bible study, prayer time and reading spiritual books, we can be recharged to face life head on." (In His Presence, Devotions for Women by Women p 35). We have a call for all of us to watch and pray for “our redemption draws near.
Each Friday evening the Scottish Mission holds a Friday evening online Prayer Meeting from 7.30 – 8pm. Details are given in the Scottish Mission newsletter and on the website. I would like to invite you to join us, every week, either by Zoom or through Facebook live as we take the opportunity together to have a time of special prayer for the current situation. We always feature prayer requests for those within and without our church family and on Friday 29th January, we will be especially remembering all those who are bereaved or suffering from Covid-19.
We are at a serious and unparalleled time in earth’s history. Please remember that as a people of faith, we truly do have "an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll" (SDAH 534). Through this, and at all times may God be with us, our church family and our nation.
Blessings to all the Scottish Mission church family.
