THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

In her commencement’s address to the 2019 graduating class of Harvard University, Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany, said this, “There is no beginning without an end, no day without night, no life without death. Our whole life consists of the difference, the space between beginning and ending.” Amen to that. If I may add, what we do in this space matters. Hence, Moses prays to God, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

God’s willing, I will deliver a series of messages in our upcoming Thanksgiving’s retreat that I titled, “Unknown to Men, Known to God: The Lives that God Blesses.” I will focus on the lives of four biblical figures and draw out lessons that I hope will help us number our days and give us wisdom to live lives that matter to God. From Obadiah, we’ll learn about COMPASSION in the midst of danger; from Abigail, we’ll learn about WISDOM in the midst of misfortune. From Hana, we’ll learn about FAITH in the midst of impossibility; and, from Mary, we’ll learn about DEVOTION in the midst of service.

On his way to appear before a Congressional committee, Pastor Donald Grey Barnhouse stopped by an office to sign some letters. As he lifted his pen from the desk and brought it toward him, the ink from the pen spilled over to his white shirt and coat. Instead of getting angry, he graciously said, “I guess the Lord did not want me to appear before that committee looking too well-groomed.”

We may not be familiar with some of these names—Obadiah, Abigail, or even Barnhouse. But, despite their limited coverage, they were as essential as Moses and Peter. They might not be known to men, but they were known to God. What matters is not who we are before men; what matters is who we are before God.

Pastor Paul