LETTER FOR JULY 1994
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Dear Friends,

For some reason I was late in writing my letter for the July magazine, and so I am writing it on the Saturday after the fire in our church, and with this sad event very much in my mind.

In seeking some answer to this catastrophe as well as thinking of some message for Holy Communion at 8 a.m. I turned to the Collect, Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday, which was the third Sunday after Trinity. I found in the Epistle, words which were a real help.

The epistle was 1 Peter 5:5-11. The words which I found helpful were verses 6-11. Let me share with you some of the thought God gave me from his word.

Verse 5 reads - "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time."

Although Peter has in mind the pain and suffering caused by opposition, criticism and unkindness of others, these words do apply in our situation. It seems clear that the fire was caused by some arsonist bent on harm and mischief, but God allowed it to happen. He did not intervene to protect the building on this occasion, therefore ultimately it is his mighty hand that is upon us in this situation. We must not cry out in anger and frustration, but quietly humble ourselves under his hand of divine providence.

We don't know why God allowed this fire to happen and we have to suffer this pain and loss, but we do know that it will ultimately work for our good and for the good of God's purposes. Peter also tells us that when God does allow such things to happen, he also brings the time when he exalts and blesses his people. Let us be strong in this assurance.

Next, Peter says - "Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares for you".

How reassuring this is. We do not have to carry the load of worry and responsibility. God cares for us, and is all the time taking control and responsibility. He has his good and sure purpose already mapped out, and this cannot be overthrown. He is working for his people. Thus we can cast all our anxiety on him. We do all that is in our power to do, but we don't have to worry, either for what we can't do, or for the awful consequences of the fire which we can anticipate.

The difficulty, of course, is that exercise of faith in this word of God that brings peace and rest. Let us pray that God may give it to us.

Then we need to remember what the apostle warns us of next. "The devil goes about seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith."

For us in the situation concerning this fire this means that we can understand that the perpetrators of this crime, though they do not know it and though they are responsible, were actually under the influence of Satan to work out Satan's malice upon others. The Bible tells us Satan is the God of this world. All those who are not reconciled to God through our Lord Jesus, are under the influence and domination of Satan. Through these arsonists Satan has worked his malice against God's church here. In other words, Peter is telling us that we are simply experiencing another aspect of the spiritual warfare. Peter is telling us that we must resist Satan steadfastly in the faith of Christ - that is not giving in, but believing that in Christ we ultimately have the victory. Peter is telling us also to take to heart that we are warned to expect these things, because suffering is part of this earthly life.

Peter then ends with an assurance of promise. "Christ, after you have suffered a while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." Christ will bring us through this trial. He will restore to us all, and much more, than we have lost. He will make us stronger and better by his grace through this suffering. This is the assurance we have. We have proved it from the past. We can lay hold of it now in this situation and for the future.

Your servant for Christ's sake,