Finding Answers

Someone has observed that Psalm 23 is one of the passages of the Bible that is first learned by children but perhaps one of the last that the meaning is truly comprehended as adults. The Psalmist David no doubt wrote these beautiful verses out of his experience as a shepherd boy. It is interesting that when he wrote, he put himself in the position of being a sheep and he referred to God as his shepherd. In this special relationship with the Lord, David found the answers to life’s greatest problems. Things that were issues 3,000 years ago remain problems for modern man.

The first problem that David found the answer to was that of human want. He said because I know ‘the Lord as my shepherd, I shall lack nothing.” He went on to say “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.” It does not take a lot to make and keep a sheep contented. Give a sheep grass and water and they are satisfied. If we know God as our shepherd, he will provide us with all that we need. Humankind the world over has many needs and wants. In the third world, they need the basics to sustain life, and in the affluent West, people search for meaning, pleasure, etc. Our needs can be met through knowing God personally.

The second problem David discovered the answer to was that of human iniquity or sin. David wrote, “He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Sin is something that many people today do not want to acknowledge. But the truth is that we are all sinners and need to be reborn spiritually. David knew salvation through faith as he looked forward to the cross – just as we are saved from sin by looking in faith back to Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. Once we have been made new, we can then be led by the Spirit in righteousness.

The third problem of facing death and dying is perhaps the most difficult one. It is a great comfort when we are in danger or a life threatening situation to know the presence of the Shepherd. Our Lord has experienced death and the grave and has risen victoriously. He will be with us when we walk through “the valley of the shadow of death.”

Literary "Offering" on the Occasion of Christian Community Actions' 50th Anniversary

The Blessings of Hope

 by Rev. L. Kenneth Fellenbaum, Wildermere Beach Congregational Church, Milford, CT 

For those possessing hope, there are many blessings. When we have hope, it gives us the strength to persevere – to keep going. People with hope, even a little of it, will keep working at their life situations. Without hope, folks sink into despair and desperation. One of the most important things we can do for fellow human beings is to give and build hope.

Christian Community Action has certainly done just that during its 50 years of existence. Besides helping with housing, food and other essentials for life, CCA has given hope to the New Haven Community. They have done so by showing love and concern – in actions. That is what love truly is – positive steps and actions. This in turn then imparts hope to those on the receiving end.

 

To know that others care and are concerned… and are “there” for them… in their time of need gives “hurting” people the impetus to “pull themselves up by the bootstraps” as the saying goes. The first word represented by the letter “C” in CCA is “Christian.” Helping others and instilling “hope” is the Christian thing to do. It’s what Jesus Christ did while he was here on earth and what he continues to do through his body which is the Church.

 

The Apostle Paul wrote numerous verses regarding “hope.” He learned these things from of a life of service that also involved suffering (hard times) See Romans 5:1-5. Suffering through difficult times and seeing God’s help and assistance (usually through others) produces hope in our lives. As we have experienced lessons before – we have hope moving forward.

 

A word about Biblical hope – it can be defined as a “confident expectation.” It’s a sure thing – just not yet realized! This is different from the secular meaning of hope which is basically “wishful” thinking.

 

Paul also stated this about hope: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance (perseverance) and the encouragement of the Scripture (God’s acts in history and his promises) we might have “HOPE” (Romans 15:4). Paul concludes by sharing “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust (have faith) in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

 

The Lord wants us to have an abundant life (John 10:10) so our lives may “overflow” and bless others. CCA has demonstrated this through it’s years of service. May God continue to use you in giving the great quality – “HOPE.”