Dr. Rick Mandl - August 7, 2020
Burning Bibles In Portland
Burning Bibles In Portland
Friday August 7, 2020
Hey church family. I wonder if you’ve been watching the news reports about the unrest and violence that have been going on in Portland Oregon over the past weeks. The federal courthouse in that city has been a flashpoint for protests and riots. Some say they are protesting for racial justice Others say they want to defund the police nationwide. In the process windows have been smashed, buildings have been defaced, and fires seem to be burning nightly around the courthouse… They mayor of Portland and the police commissioner have ignored the conduct, and even joined the protesters in calling for federal police to leave the area. This past Friday the protest even included burning Bibles.
I wonder how you react when you see that? Some local Christians have been trying to remain positive even in the midst of the rioting. Pastor Matt Hennessee ,from Vancouver Avenue First Baptist Church in Portland said… "As a leader, I'm often asked to speak, and during the entire period, I've said, I just want to listen. I want to show up." He said, "I have trouble with people who set fires, or people who write graffiti all over the place and smash in windows and loot stores." He said, "I have a real problem with all of that, but that's why inside, I'm saying, 'Lord, you've got to help me understand what that person sees that I don't'." He said, "We need to pray for the ability to listen, to learn and to find out how God wants us to engage and to do that in a very, intentional way for us to be able to be used by God, as instruments in this space," I think that’s a great attitude. In fact the only thing I would add to that is that we need to pray also for those rioters. Not just for an end to the rioting, but that God might break through their hearts and reach them for Him.
I was reminded this week that God can use anyone, whether we think he can or not. Joshua 24 records the Lord’s address to his people at the end of Joshua’s life. It begins with God’s reminder that... “Your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates . . . and they served other gods.” And yet, he “Took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan, and made his offspring many.” Now, you and I might not have chosen a childless idolater to begin a nation, but God did. We might not have believed that a prisoner in Egypt would one day become prime minister. Or that a fugitive would lead the Jewish people out of Egyptian slavery, or that a disciple who denied Jesus three times would preach the Pentecost sermon. If God could redeem and use an enemy of his people like Saul of Tarsus, I wonder what could he do with someone who burns a Bible?
I want to challenge you to continue to pray for our nation... To continue to share God’s Word with grace... And to never forget that… It’s always too soon to give up on God.
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