SCRIP-BITS

Oh Friends, it seems that the white stuff’s been flying around in places it doesn’t usually fly, like parts of the U.S South. In the last week or so, it’s been battering places like Texas and Maine, now Virginia and other southern states are seeing snow, to which they’re not accustomed. Unfortunately, the white powder has also blanketed parts of Eastern and Western Canada. Thankfully though, it hasn’t done much in my area, until yesterday evening. Before that, we were having some spring like temps, and what snow was on the ground was melting. And even now, the snow we have is not a lot. ‘Praise the Lord!’ I’m sorry for the many, all over the continent, who will get caught up in the woeful traffic conditions on their way to work this morning. But just remember that it’s Friday, give a joyful shout of ‘TGIF! Thank God it’s Friday!’ then take your time driving on the snow covered, icy or slushy roads. But yuh know, it’s unfortunate and somewhat unfair that in places like T&T, this Friday will be truly very joyful with all the pre- Carnival activity that’s taking place down there. However, we up here in the cold northern climes know that though life is not fair, our God is good, and He will look after us in whatever untenable or unpalatable situations we find ourselves in. And to give credence to that belief, let’s chant our Friday Chant with as much enthusiasm as we can manage. ‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ Now that should serve to quell whatever anxiety we felt and give us the right perspective in handling the weekend. And our Bit today is a rather interesting one. ‘Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good (Just) is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For (at least) there shall be peace and truth in my days.’ Now why would Hezekiah, king of Judah, make such a reply eh? According to the scholars’, the story goes like this: A former king of Babylon, Merodach-baladan, apparently trying to wrest Babylon back from the new Assyrian ruler, Sennacherib, sends an ambassadorial delegation to Hezekiah, with a present, letters and congratulations on his recent recovery from illness. Now the king was also possibly looking for allies in his quest to retake Babylon, and Hezekiah, somewhat impressed by this attention, showed the king’s messengers all his treasures. The Good Book declares that: ‘there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah showed them not.’ (Is.39:2) Shortly thereafter, the prophet Isaiah shows up and asks Hezekiah about the men and their business. Hezekiah tells him that they came from Babylon. ‘Then said he (Isaiah), what have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not showed them.’ (Is.39:4) Ah Friends, obviously vanity and pride had something to do with Hezekiah’s behaviour; showing total strangers all his treasure. But that’s not so strange since even today we do it too. When friends come to visit, and even virtual strangers, we take them around our houses or businesses to show them our treasure, not knowing what’s in their minds. That sort of boasting or showing off of our earthly possessions, has often proven to be disastrous, for unawares we have entertained thieves and scoundrels, who have subsequently caused us grief, in one form or another. In Hezekiah’s case, Isaiah used the incident to prophesy the imminent Babylonian captivity of Judah. ‘Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the Lord. And thy sons that shall issue (descend) from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ (Is.39:5-7) And our Bit today, is Hezekiah’s answer to Isaiah’s prophetic vision. Now can you imagine giving that sort of meek, well if the Lord says so, is so, response to such a catastrophic prophecy? I doubt very many of us would, because we’d be too concerned about our children and our earthly possessions. We’d possibly slap Isaiah upside the head and run him out of our house. But Hezekiah took it coolly enough, possibly because he realized his serious error in judgement that his pride and vanity had caused. Then, sensing that there wasn’t anything he could do to change the situation, decided to calmly accept God’s will, whatever it turned out to be. He was at least heartened by the fact that there would be peace and truth during his reign. Oh Friends, perhaps we can learn something today from Hezekiah’s acceptance of God’s will, especially when we’re wrong. Instead of acting out, as we tend to do when it doesn’t coincide with our desires, we can repent, apologize or admit the error of our ways, and ask for the Lord’s forgiveness. It’s much better than making a fuss or trying to fight the Lord’s will. Ah my brethren, please let’s remember that earth is not our true home, just a way-station on our journey to that marvellous resting place Jesus has promised. That means we cannot afford to let the earthly possessions in our stewardship take us away from the true reality, that heaven’s our home, and what’s really important is the treasures that we store there, not the undistinguished things of the earth. Much LOVE!…for where your treasure is…there will your heart be also…  (Matt.6:21)