Newsletter of Hamilton Bible Fellowship
June 2005
"Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness" is a nice platitude, but what does it mean? How does one really do this? Jesus says this in the context (Matthew 6) of concerns for personal security, of having the "stuff" of life (food, clothing). As the antidote for worry about such daily provisions, Jesus promises "all these things will be given you as well" (6:33). We can gain insight into what this means and how to do it from Moses’ admonition to the Israelites as they were about to enter the promised land. He reminded them that it was Yahweh who had delivered them from slavery, to bring them to this place of promise (Deuteronomy 6:21-23). And now, how would it go once they got there?
Yahweh commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear Yahweh our God,
so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if
we are careful to obey all this law before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded
us, that will be our righteousness. 6:24-25
At the heart of this is "fear Yahweh our God." It is an expression of reverence, of respect for God as he truly is - holy, powerful and benevolent. It is to worship him as king, to seek his kingdom, his sovereign control over our lives. It is having an attitude of trust, of faith in the one who is ultimately trustworthy. Circumscribing this passage is the admonition to "obey all these decrees," to be "careful to obey all this law before Yahweh our God." It is to live according to biblical principles, to apply them to life. "That will be our righteousness," Moses concludes; that is how we are to seek it. And the result? For the Israelites, it would mean life and prosperity in the promised land. For us, Jesus says, "all these things" - the stuff, of life - "will be given you as well."
Angela Thomas spoke at last week’s women’s conference (so I hear - I wasn’t allowed to attend) about "filling the cup of our souls." We observe countless examples of people filling theirs with an endless variety of stuff: food and clothing, yes, but also careers, children, homes, investments, entertainment, travel . . . good stuff! Yet it never seems to do it completely, to really satisfy. God has revealed himself and the ways of his created order (including us - the crown of creation), in the scriptures, the biblical principles of life. They are intended, when lived out, to bring prosperity, fullness and abundance. They are about the way life works, as God designed it. They are not about rewards for good behavior. These are the blessings, the results, the "things given us as well." But we must not seek them first. If we do, in the end we’ll come up empty. God will fill our lives, if we fill our cup with him. The sovereign king is able to supply our needs, as he is benevolent, not harsh and demanding. He wants to! We can trust him, for all the "good stuff."
NEWS AND PRAYER UPDATE:
Continue to pray for Jeff Schindler and family as he recovers from his medical ordeal. He should be home by the end of the week.
Pray for Ralph and Tara Leo as they travel to Ethiopia to adopt a baby, to add to their two delightful boys!
Pray for funding and continued progress on the building project.
Pray for Jen Hipsley (Barb’s Daughter) as she relocates to San Antonio TX and begins a new job.
THE QUOTE CORNER
As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you
nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead
these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give
to them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the
law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or
to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let
this Book of the Law depart from your mouth, meditate on it day
and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded
you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be dis-
couraged, for Yahweh your God will be with you wherever you go.
Yahweh to Joshua, upon the death of Moses (Joshua 1:5-9)
COMING EVENTS CALENDAR:
HBF Spring Picnic is this Sunday June 12th, 1:00 PM at Barb Hipsley’s. Bring a dish to pass; Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.
Monday June 20th: HBF outing to Syracuse Skychiefs (Church Bulletin Night!).
Saturday June 25th: HCS Graduation in the auditorium, 1:00 PM. Congrats to Meghan Pils, Colleen Schindler and Keiko Yoshino!
June Birthdays: 7 Dianne Button and Mark Schindler; 10 Michael Hayes; 11 Chris Henke; 27 Michelle Babcock; 29 Amber Nelson