June 21, 2018

Karen and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Eric Clayson, who served as a pastor in Quebec for many years before returning to his native Ontario, along with his wife, Mary. We will remember Pastor Clayson as one of the most encouraging people we have known. After we visited the church in Roxton Pond where he was pastor, we kept in touch for more than thirty years and were always glad to see him and Mary when we visited family and friends in southern Ontario. Pastor Clayson went to be with the Lord on Father’s Day, which was fitting as he and Mary were blessed with several children.

One of the gifts that I received last Sunday was a book by Timothy Keller entitled “The Songs of Jesus.” In this devotional, Keller looks at each psalm and since we’re almost at the mid-point of the year, the entry for June 17 is from Psalm 73:10-14, close to the middle of the 150 psalms. Keller observes: “The psalmist concludes that a good life has not brought him wealth or freedom from troubles (verse 12) and therefore has been ‘in vain’ (verse 13). But this unmasks his heart. His obedience was not a way of pleasing God but rather a means of getting God to please him.” This reminds me of the expression “fair-weather friends” which describes people who will be there when circumstances are favourable, but not when difficulties arise. Karen and I are very thankful for friends like the Claysons, who have stood with us for many years.

In writing about Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, Dr. David Jeremiah notes: “He had a pure heart and innocent hands. But there was a time when he could not perceive the goodness of God. At a point of pain, pressure, and problems in his life, this bothered him so terribly that it created a deep resentment in his heart … by the conclusion of this psalm, Asaph had realized: he had God in heaven, his portion ‘forever,’ while those who are from God and have deserted him will lose their souls in eternity (73:26, 27). His was the classic human dilemma; God’s was the eternal solution.” If you have not repented of your sins and trusted Christ as your Saviour, don’t wait for a “better time.” There is no better time than now to receive God’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

This morning, something unusual happened. I heard the sound of running water, while I was working in my home office. I thought Karen was in the shower, but when I saw her in the living room, I thought I should take a look outside. Guess what? Water was gushing out of a garden hose. I had seen a “lump” in the hose a week ago, but forgot about it. Since we had a spray nozzle on the end of the hose, no water had come out until the hose got a hole in it. I now know that we should not leave the tap “on” all the time, because crazy things can happen. I am thankful to God (and whoever was praying for me this morning) that I was home … it could have been a second pool in the backyard.

Scripture for the weekend: “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:28 (NKJV)

Thought for the weekend: “As our Counsellor, Jesus encourages us … a good counsellor does not protect us from the problems of life; instead he prepares us for life’s problems and helps us face them honestly and courageously … We do not leave our Counsellor merely with good advice; he sends us away with the strength we need to do what he tells us to do.” – Warren W. Wiersbe (from his book “His Name Is Wonderful”)  

Steve