Present Abiding Relationship
“Hallo”, said the driver in his Dutch accent as I boarded the airport shuttle van, the only passenger in Eindhoven Netherlands, for a two-hour ride to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. After 60 days in Holland, I was ready to get back home to Ohio. Jon, my driver, was a 62-year-old retired worker and loved to talk about everything and every place I visited. As our conversation covered every topic from our families to World War II, I felt compelled to ask some questions about his faith.
“Jon”, I said, “I visited many places as I rode over 2000 miles on my Dutch bicycle and in every little town I could spot a church with a steeple. However when I went inside, churches were empty, even on Sunday. Why and when did people stop going to church? How did this happen in a country where the Bible was first translated to common language and where the pilgrims first sought sanctuary before sailing to America?”
He said “it started to decline in the 1960’s and now most people today want nothing to do with God. He said, “I do go to church but when my pastor comes over for a visit, I have no beer left in my refrigerator”. After a good laugh, he said “So Steven what do you believe about God”? I sat in the backseat directly behind his rear-view mirror so he could see my face and response. I described two black bags in my hand. One bag is filled with all the religions in the world. These all believe with varying degrees of faith that we have to “work” our way to God. I listed many religions by name. “So, what is in the other bag Steven”? I said, “there is a single Person – a Rescuer -a Savior – a Redeemer - It is Jesus! Every great story is about a rescue – a hero who saves the day. We want the same in our own stories. We long for peace, forgiveness, safety and assurance that He will make all things right with perfect justice.
RELIGION says “I can WORK my way to God”
JESUS is about a RELATIONSHIP with God.
He said “I have never heard this before! He had me repeat what I said again then I told him to ask his pastor if his faith was about a religion – or a relationship. In conclusion, I asked Jon to search the Bible because God is looking for hearts that are committed to Him (II Chronicles 16:9).
We need to ask ourselves the same question as we struggle through life on this earth. David knew how to encourage himself by meditating on God’s word and promises. Read Psalm 16 without verse numbers below. It is a petition and a prayer of confidence that reflects David’s present abiding relationship with God and His promise of a future fullness of joy for eternity.
Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely, I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
Robert Lowery’s hymn “How can I Keep from Singing” written in 1868 is a picture of Joy in Anxious times and the Eternal Security of Knowing that Christ is Lord of Heaven and Earth.
How Can I Keep From Singing - Audrey Assad - YouTube
“No storm can shake my inmost calm, While to that refuge clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth, How can I keep from singing.”
~ Steve Byers and his wife Debbie have lived in the Charlotte area since 2017 and have been attending LIFE Fellowship for five years. Steve is a musician and songwriter and sings in the Oxygen Choir. Steve and Debbie, have one son, Josh and a daughter-in-law, Avery. They are grand parents to Jaxon and Grayson.