COVENANTER

Richard Baxter (1615–1691), a Puritan pastor in Kidderminster, England, penned the hymn “Lord, It Belongs Not to My Care” 35 years after a severe illness that was expected to end his life. During his isolation, he meditated deeply on eternity, a habit he continued for the remaining 45 years of his life. This eternal perspective shaped not only his hymn but also his view of life, urging believers to resist temptation, steward their time wisely, and live with heaven in view.

Last week, Pastor Rob shared his excitement about how a new sanctuary would enhance both the reverence and joy of our worship, but is that the only reason to take on such a major endeavor? Beyond aesthetics, a larger sanctuary would allow our entire congregation to worship together, strengthening our unity and making it easier for our leaders to shepherd the flock. Additionally, it would provide space for growth, ensuring that more people can hear the Gospel, be discipled in the Reformed faith, and take part in Christ’s Kingdom-building mission for generations to come.

A sanctuary’s design, though not central to worship, is significant. A sanctuary can reflect both the joy and reverence of worship, as Psalm 96 describes, through thoughtful architecture—an elevated pulpit for the Word’s centrality, high ceilings to lift our gaze to God’s transcendence, and natural light to symbolize the radiance of the Gospel. While God cares most about the heart in worship, the setting in which we gather can enhance our ability to worship Him in spirit and truth. Join us in prayerfully considering whether the Lord is leading us to build a new sanctuary.

There’s something special about the protective love of an older brother, and we see it beautifully in Judah’s self-sacrificing plea for Benjamin in Genesis 44. Judah was willing to give up his own freedom out of love for his father Jacob and for his little brother. In the same way, Jesus—our true and greater Brother—willingly took our place, motivated by His love for the Father and for us, refusing to return home without securing our freedom.

Our walk with the Lord is not measured by the depth of our feelings but by the truth of who God is and what He has revealed in His Word. While there are times when God’s presence feels palpable and powerful, the Bible reminds us that God is near regardless of how we feel. Let us neither idolize mountain-top experiences nor dismiss them, but instead trust in the ordinary, steady work of the Spirit, praying for hearts that both worship faithfully and rejoice when God grants us glimpses of His glory.

Robert Robinson, born in 1735 in Swaffham, Norfolk, lost his father at a young age and fell into a life of sin during his apprenticeship in London. Despite a troubled youth spent in rebellion, he was converted after hearing George Whitefield preach, eventually becoming a pastor and the author of the well-loved hymn, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” Yet questions linger about whether Robinson himself later strayed from the faith, a sobering reminder to guard our own spiritual walks diligently.

You may know the moving story behind the hymn “It Is Well with My Soul,” written by Horatio Spafford, a devout Presbyterian and successful Chicago lawyer of the mid-19th century. After losing his four young daughters in a tragic shipwreck, Spafford penned the hymn’s powerful words while crossing the very waters where they perished. The words of the hymn remind us that even in life’s darkest valleys, we can echo the Apostle Paul: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed… struck down, but not destroyed,” upheld by the hope of the resurrection in Christ.

In the Gospels, we see the raw humanity of Jesus Christ vividly displayed, particularly in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He sought the presence of His friends during His darkest hour. This profound moment reminds us of the value of standing by one another in times of need, a calling echoed throughout Scripture with exhortations to love, bear burdens, and show hospitality. As we face a new year filled with challenges, let us commit to standing by one another with practical acts of love, wisdom, and encouragement, reflecting the heart of our Savior.

The time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve often feels like a peculiar “no man’s land,” yet it offers a unique opportunity to pause and reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness over the past year. It’s also a time to look ahead, setting Christ-centered goals for the year to come. In both reflecting on the past and planning for the future, we should prioritizing the ultimate pursuit: abiding in and treasuring Jesus Christ above all else.

The New Testament offers profound responses to Christ’s birth: angels proclaim “good tidings of great joy,” shepherds glorify God, Magi worship, and Simeon declares his peace in seeing the Messiah. Why such rejoicing? Isaiah 9 foretells the significance of this child: He will rule with wisdom as our Wonderful Counselor, with power as our Mighty God, with eternal care as our Everlasting Father, and bring true peace as our Prince of Peace. This Christmas, may we echo the joy of Isaiah’s proclamation, declaring, “To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.”

In 1785 Rabbie Burns, one of Scotland’s most celebrated poets, wrote “To a Mouse,” inspired by his accidental destruction of a mouse’s nest. In this poem, Burns reflects on the frailty of human plans and the sorrow of life without hope, poignantly contrasting the mouse's present-focused existence with his own grief and fear of the past and future. For the Christian, however, the message of Christmas replaces grief and fear with the everlasting hope, joy, and peace found in Jesus Christ, who came to redeem and dwell with us forever.

Pastor Rob reflects on Pastor Kyle’s godly character. Like Paul in 2 Corinthians, Pastor Kyle’s humility and grace are evidence of God’s sanctifying work, often through the very weaknesses and afflictions that reveal Christ’s power. Let us be encouraged to embrace our own thorns, trusting in the Lord’s sufficient strength made perfect in our frailty and trials.