Still Standing
August 07, 2017
“I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.” – Psalm 77:5
“Can you believe that old church is still standing?”
Harold shook his head. He had been sure that it would have toppled over by this time. It had been in disrepair 40 years ago, the last time he had darkened its door. Now, here it was, just as he had left it behind along with his faith so many years ago.
It still stood as a beacon to its community and a reminder of the days of old and of a Savior who was and is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
We must often look back to look forward. The past informs the present and fashions the future. It prepares us to trust the God we have known in times of old to be as faith today as He was then.
We stand on the shoulders of the pioneers of faith, those who tested the Word of God with confidence because they had nothing else upon which to stand.
We come to the ancient monuments to be reminded why our clever schemes have so often gone awry and the Word of God endures.
We see that the Church of Jesus Christ still stands in spite of onslaughts from without and dissensions from within. We cry to God for help. We stretch out our hands. We sing the songs we sang as youngsters with simple trusting belief. We groan; we faint; we inquire.
And we come home to what is unchanging, God Himself.
Eventually, every edifice shall fail, even those dedicated to His glory. Yet, he shall never fail. His Word and His Truth shall endure through eternity.
He has called us to remember and to use that memory to move forward.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is still standing.
Psalm 77 Voce mea ad Dominum
1 I will cry aloud to God; *
I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; *
my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire; I refused to be comforted.
3 I think of God, I am restless, *
I ponder, and my spirit faints.
4 You will not let my eyelids close; *
I am troubled and I cannot speak.
5 I consider the days of old; *
I remember the years long past;
6 I commune with my heart in the night; *
I ponder and search my mind.
7 Will the Lord cast me off for ever? *
will he no more show his favor?
8 Has his loving-kindness come to an end for ever? *
has his promise failed for evermore?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? *
has he, in his anger, withheld his compassion?
10 And I said, "My grief is this: *
the right hand of the Most High has lost its power."
11 I will remember the works of the LORD, *
and call to mind your wonders of old time.
12 I will meditate on all your acts *
and ponder your mighty deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is holy; *
who is so great a god as our God?
14 You are the God who works wonders *
and have declared your power among the peoples.
15 By your strength you have redeemed your people, *
the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, O God; the waters saw you and trembled; *
the very depths were shaken.
17 The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; *
your arrows flashed to and fro;
18 The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; *
the earth trembled and shook.
19 Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters, *
yet your footsteps were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock *
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.