20/09/2021

The return of Israel from the Babylonian captivity is repeated in our present age. The working of God's providence in favour of this particular nation continues to this day. God is true to his original covenants and the descendants of Abraham are indeed a great nation. But where is the Temple of the Lord that was Cyrus' reason for letting Jews return to their Holy land?

Jesus tells us not to hide our light once we have lit it. Is our light something to be hidden for if it is it will be revealed. What is it that we have that will be increased by God's gift? What is it that we have to do for even our little to remain with us. This unexplained parable leaves me gasping for I do not understand it. I am sure that Jesus is not talking about physical possessions. If I think of the "having" as being about spiritual gifts I am still not better off in my understanding. If "listen" had been the verb rather "hear" I could have understood that as a warning about false doctrine. 

The Korean martyrs must have been filled with the Holy Spirit to defy the strictires of their Confucian/Buddhist culture where even today all ranks of society are aware of their places and to disobey an elder is the greatest sin imaginable. God is surely the "Evergreater".

Dear Lord open my understanding to receive your Word so that following the example of your martyrs I may never deny the Truth of the Father, Son and holy Spirit.