Nougat 7

Firstly

I thank you all for your prayers, words of comfort, contribution and attendance, be it in person or online during this first phase of bereavement. Your support has made a tremendous difference. My mom’s sending off was glory-filled with a blend of tears and laughter.

Whether it’s death, disease, dis-ease or disaster, we all face overwhelming situations. Today’s Holy Nougat is yet another reminder that we are not alone.

“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In many parts of the world, the AIDS pandemic continues to present a challenge. Upon investigation, the World Council of Churches Ecumenical HIV AIDS Initiative and Advocacy (WCC EHAIA) and partners confirmed that there are some ‘false teachings’ (my words) that have encouraged the perpetuation of harmful practices. And among the false teachings are Misleading Theologies fostered by the church.

Of course, it is easy for us to dismiss misleading theology when it is those people. But what about our own? How many of us have heard persons being told (sometimes literally) that when we confess Jesus as Savior our troubles end? I dare suggest that that is one example of misleading theologies offered to people today. For God’s Word is replete with messages of accompaniment during our trials and even God’s elect Children of Israel faced trials before, during and after the Exodus to the Promised Land.

The comfort and hope we have; this good news for us all is not so much about the trials; but that the One Who we accept as Savior has already overcome (see John 16:25-33)! That is guaranteed. God has come through with Jesus’ resurrection and by sending us the Comforter!

So yes, we face many troubles, perhaps more than those not yet committed to Jesus, ‘but the Lord comes to the rescue each time’. It then is a matter of faith! Do we believe? If not, we cry out ‘I believe, Lord please help my unbelief.’ And we will see Jesus respond. May God’s Spirit carry us forth in tangible ways as we go forward.

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May all we seek be found in Christ