The Pastor's Corner

July 2025

Psalm 8: 3-6 NIV

3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

Think about it. Of everything that God created, God is most concerned with each of us.

God spoke the world into existence. All life finds its source in him. The created world reveals God’s majesty and providence. God provides for and sustains all his creation. The word “providence” is derived from the Latin word providentia meaning foresight or to see ahead. The accounts of the creation of the universe are evidence of God’s preparations for life on Earth, for our life on earth. The laws of nature demonstrate God’s foresight in creation.

The musical group The Byrds popularized the verses from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 in their 1965 recording which reached number one on the Billboard music chart, making these the oldest lyrics to ever reach #1. The book of Ecclesiastes belongs to the group of biblical writings known as Wisdom Literature. Like the Book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes emphasizes wisdom which leads to a reverence for God. These verses, which are a poem within the book, speak of the limitations and temporal nature of Creation. The Sovereign Lord created this world and everything in it. But Creation is not random; it is not a haphazard mix of living and non-living things. There is an order to Creation. God did not set the world spinning aimlessly through space and time. There is a purpose to Creation.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-13 NKJV

1 To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time [a]to be born,

And a time to die;

A time to plant,

And a time to pluck what is planted;

3 A time to kill,

And a time to heal;

A time to break down,

And a time to build up;

4 A time to weep,

And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn,

And a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones,

And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace,

And a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to gain,

And a time to lose;

A time to keep,

And a time to throw away;

7 A time to tear,

And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence,

And a time to speak;

8 A time to love,

And a time to hate;

A time of war,

And a time of peace.

When we cycle through the seasons of our lives, there is a great temptation to rely on our own knowledge, our own efforts. This is contrary to what we are taught in the Scriptures.

Proverbs 3: 5-8 NKJV

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your [b]flesh,

And strength to your bones.

We can navigate the ebbs and flows of this life because we have hope for tomorrow. God has revealed himself to us in his creation and in his Holy Word. God has “become flesh and dwelt among us” as Emanuel, God with us. God has saved us from our sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. No matter what may come – or go – God is above us, God is for us, God is with us.

Peace and blessings,

Rev. Teresa Reed