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“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) I have always loved the letters of Samuel Rutherford the Covenanting minister, but understand as never before his grief when he was separated from his flock in Anwoth and banished to Aberdeen, where he was forbidden to preach the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. But, as he said, “E’en Anwoth was not Heaven – E’en preaching was not Christ.” His prison and solitude became to him the banqueting house of his King, even Christ. So in these days of social distancing, when we cannot any more receive into our homes our dear friends and relatives, when you let them knock and leave parcels at a closed door, the verse from Revelation (above) comes with a wonderful comfort. He is the one guest whom we can receive and make welcome. Into hidden deeps inside us He comes, and never need we feel solitary, for he sups with us of an evening. And for those not shut in, but out in the front line of danger, take comfort from the Apostle Paul, who whether in prison, where the Lord appeared to him, or in the midst of a mob wanting to kill him, could say: “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” (Philippians 4:11) With deep love, and may God bless you abundantly, Grace Dear Friends, Even though I was sitting in an empty church on Sunday night, it was wonderful to sense God with us all. It is a strange time for everybody, some isolated and others overloaded with work, all cut off from the assembling of God’s people, which can bring such stress. But he is calling on us to walk with sure feet, leaning on our Beloved. As the Spirit of God moved over the deep and brought life, so have I felt Him breathing over you, dear people, and I know that in house after house there is a gathering round the family altar, and prayers for the country and our congregations are going up before the thone of grace. Over every dwelling God would hover and create a covering. We may be passing through the Valley of Weeping, but afterward come the autumn rains. You are all in my heart and spirit. I have your names before me that I may continually keep you in prayer. With deep love, and may God bless you abundantly, Grace And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and a shining of a flaming fire by night: for above all the glory shall be a covering. (Isaiah 4:5 KJV; New Year Word 2007) What joy for those whose strength comes from the LORD, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings. (Psalm 84:5-7) |
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Struthers Memorial Church is a registered Scottish Charity No. SC 006960 | Struthers Memorial Church is a company limited by guarantee incorporated in Scotland Company No SC335480 | Registered Office: 33 West Stewart Street, Greenock, PA15 1SH. |