Pastor Brad’s Notebook

His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, And there His power was hidden.” Habakkuk 3:4 What an amazing and yet completely reassuring thought - my Father hides His omnipotence for my benefit. It is surely the most fantastic fiction ever  conceived for it allows me to have freedom of will. He loves me so much that He puts me in the wilderness and tells me to walk alone, but He never leaves my side. He continues to walk beside me, holding on to the hem of my garment. He hides the loving guidance of His omnipotent hand making it appear as if He were not there. He stands afar off and says to me, “Come.” He allows me to think that I am all by myself. He doesn't let me see His everlasting arms which surround me. He doesn't let me feel the care that envelopes me lest I should ever dash my foot upon a rock. He conceals the truth that I am totally, utterly and jealously guarded on all sides.  He hides His supporting arm in the mist leaving margin for my personal choice.

"Woe to you who are at ease in Zion..." Amos 6:1 I believe that the saddest thing in the world is indifference. I think that it is sadder than any heresy, sadder than any false belief; yes, sadder even than any honest unbelief. You see, the mind which has struggled into rest is one to be envied. The mind that has struggled without ever finding rest has to be appreciated. But the mind that has never even experienced any struggle at all, well, that mind is to be pitied.

"And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left...?" Jonah 4:11 The ones the prophet speaks of here are the infants of the great, but godless city of Nineveh. They were those lives which had yet to reach an age of conscious discernment. This is truly a wonderful passage that shows us so much about the heart of our loving God.