The Stability of our Times

Isaiah 33:6 says that the Lord “shall be the stability of our times.”  Such stability is desperately needed in a world that is more characterized by chaos and catastrophes.  A quick preview of the news headlines remind us that we are surrounded by declining moral standards in the west, increase terrorism in the east, an incompetent government at home, and rampant evil worldwide.

That’s when it is so refreshing to come into the presence of an eternal God who has seen it all before, who gives wisdom to understand the times we are in, and who knows how to quiet a troubled heart and give rest to a weary soul.  No doubt you are having to wade through the waters of adversity even today, at least to some degree.  As I write this, I pray that you would join me in focusing our attention heavenward, crying out for help, for wisdom, for strength.  Then let us fall back into the arms of the only One who can hold us securely – the Stability of our times.

My company (as we call it for security reasons) sent us our VRI (Voluntary Retirement Incentive) last week.  I think it’s quite generous, considering the financial challenges the company faces.  I know this is the last option our leaders have and they hate to make it as much as we hate to consider it.  We have until Nov. 2 to make a choice, then another month to make it final.  Even if some of us decide to stay on the mission field, future uncertainties remain.  So please pray for all of our personnel over 50 years old who must make difficult decisions in the days ahead.

It causes me no small amount of sorrow to think of having to leave the friends I have made here these past 30 years.  Men and women who Jan and I led to the Lord and discipled, who we have seen grow in faith, and who have become leaders in our churches.  Despite the decline of responsiveness worldwide that we have seen because of technology and western pop culture, there is still a responsiveness here.  How refreshing and joyful it is for me to see Filipinos embrace the Lord, follow His word, and experience a new way of life.  

If I leave, the BOOST project we started last year will have to close because those funds are tied to a missionary’s presence.  Then there are the Bible studies that will stop, trainings that will cease, and the personal encouragement that I can give will no longer be there.  On the other hand, our task from the beginning was to work ourselves out of a job, to train local leaders to become mighty in spirit, to rise up and do the work so that missionaries are no longer needed.  The fact that we can drastically reduce our number of missionaries in the Philippines may be a bitter/sweet testimony of success.

So, “Dear Lord, as I work through these conflicting feelings and perplexing days, please be the stability of my times.  Teach me deep lessons of truth that can only come from wrestling with difficult decisions.  Draw me near to You so that I can draw away from worries about the future.  And be with the wonderful people here, that they may continue to grow mighty in spirit, whether I’m here or not.”