26th July 2020 - Love is Patient

APC 26th July 2020                 “Love is Patient”
 
Welcome and Introduction
Good morning everyone and welcome to our Sunday morning worship.  Today we continue our reflections on what it really means to love using Paul’s description we find in 1 Corinthians 13.  So far we have discovered that true love ‘is not selfish’ that ‘it keeps no records of wrongs’ that ‘it is not jealous’, ‘it is not proud and that ‘love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth.’  Today we will think about the fact that ‘love is patient’ and the areas of our lives where we need God to help us to be patient, particularly at this time.  But as always, let’s begin by talking to God. Let’s pray…
 
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are so patient.  You are not in a hurry and nothing ever takes you by surprise.  You see the beginning from the end in all things.  You knew when this pandemic would start and you know when it will come to an end. 
Thank you that despite the long wait, today we are able to meet again in church to worship you together.  Thank you for every way in which you have helped us over these last number of months and for every way that we know you will provide for us in the days ahead.
Lord, you know that these last few months have been extremely difficult for all of us, especially for those who have been critically ill, for those who have died and those who have been bereaved, for all those working on the front line, for parents, for people living on their own, for the elderly and for children and teenagers.  Lord for all of us in different ways, these days of uncertainty continue to be extremely challenging. 
Father, we admit that in the midst of that challenge there have been times when we have been very impatient.  We have been impatient with ourselves, impatient with our family members, impatient with our employers, impatient with our government, impatient while we’ve queued, impatient as we’ve sat in traffic, impatient with our computers, impatient with our churches and impatient with you.
Forgive us that at times we have lost patience with the restrictions and when our impatience has meant that we have put ourselves or other people at risk.
Lord, have mercy on us.  Please give us the strength and the grace that we need to keep being patient, especially if the phased return to normal life doesn’t happen as smoothly or as quickly as we might like.  Lord, help us to accept the challenges and the changes that necessary restrictions are creating for our day to day lives.  Lord, even though our worship today will look and feel very different to what we are used to, we pray that as we draw near to you, you will draw near to us.
Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to be present with us individually and collectively.  May we feel and sense His presence with us here today.  Fill us afresh with your hope and joy and peace.  And may that make all the difference to us for the week that lies ahead.
This we ask in the name of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ,  Amen.
Please join with me as we gently say the Lord’s Prayer together…
And so we pray…
 
The Lord’s Prayer
 
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name,
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day, our daily bread, And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil,
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
For ever and ever, AMEN.
 
Bible Readings
Isaiah 40 v 9-31
You who bring good news to Zion,
    go up on a high mountain.
You who bring good news to Jerusalem,[a]
    lift up your voice with a shout,
lift it up, do not be afraid;
    say to the towns of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
10 See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power,
    and he rules with a mighty arm.
See, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense accompanies him.
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
    or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
    or weighed the mountains on the scales
    and the hills in a balance?
13 Who can fathom the Spirit[b] of the Lord,
    or instruct the Lord as his counselor?
14 Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him,
    and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
    or showed him the path of understanding?
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
    they are regarded as dust on the scales;
    he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
    nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing;
    they are regarded by him as worthless
    and less than nothing.
18 With whom, then, will you compare God?
    To what image will you liken him?
19 As for an idol, a metalworker casts it,
    and a goldsmith overlays it with gold
    and fashions silver chains for it.
20 A person too poor to present such an offering
    selects wood that will not rot;
they look for a skilled worker
    to set up an idol that will not topple.
21 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood since the earth was founded?
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,
    and its people are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like a canopy,
    and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
23 He brings princes to naught
    and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing.
24 No sooner are they planted,
    no sooner are they sown,
    no sooner do they take root in the ground,
than he blows on them and they wither,
    and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff.
25 “To whom will you compare me?
    Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.
27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
 
1 Corinthians 13 v 4-7
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
 
Reflection                               “Love is Patient”
Over the last few weeks we have been reflecting on what I think is the most important thing in life, especially life as a Christian.  That of course is love.  We have been learning more and more about what real love looks like.  It is not selfish, it is not jealous, it forgives, it is not proud, it does not take delight in other people’s misfortunes.  Today we want to think about the fact that love says Paul, is patient.   The word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 13 is the Greek word ‘makrothumia’ which literally means ‘long-burning’.  It describes how a decent log will last for hours on an open fire in contrast to light pine kindling which fizzes and sputters sending showers of sparks in all directions.  To be patient means to have a long fuse, to burn long and slow.  It describes a person who has deliberately determined to trust God and to wait His hand of intervention.  It’s this aspect of love that we need perhaps more than anything at this time.
I don’t know about you, but one of the hardest things I’ve found about the Covid 19 Pandemic is practicing patience.  I think most of us have felt the same.  All of us have been continually faced with situations that have required patience. 
There have been occasions when we’ve had to be patient with other people.  That might have meant queuing to enter the supermarket or waiting our turn to put petrol in the car.  It may have involved sitting for hours at the kitchen table encouraging our children with their online schoolwork.  For teenagers it’s also meant having to endure hours of being supervised by your parents rather than having the support of your teachers and friends in school.
There have also been times when we’ve had to be patient with ourselves.  In the initial days of lockdown many of us rejoiced at the opportunity to get some work done around the house that we wouldn’t normally have time to do.  We enjoyed spending extra time with our kids away from the constant demands of the office.  But as the weeks wore on, we’ve found ourselves getting deeply frustrated.  Perhaps we haven’t realized it until we’ve suddenly snapped at the kids or the dog or even just sat down and cried.  We must not underestimate how psychologically challenging this has been for us all.  And because of that, we need to be patient with ourselves.  We need to give ourselves a break and not beat ourselves up or get angry at ourselves when at times we’ve said or done something a little out of character or when we haven’t always been our positive and upbeat self.
In addition we’ve had to be patient with circumstances that have been almost completely outside our control.  Some of us haven’t been able to work.  Some of us have had to work in front-line situations which have been extremely stressful and where the goal posts have been constantly changing.  We haven’t been able to visit family in hospital or residential care.  We’ve had to bury our dead or celebrate a wedding in ways we would not have wished. We haven’t had the freedom to go to the cinema or a restaurant or to visit family and friends.  Holidays have been cancelled and sporting activities postponed.  We have had to be patient with so many circumstances.
But perhaps the hardest thing of all has been trying to be patient with God or as the Psalmist describes it to “Wait upon the Lord.”  It’s been really hard not being able to meet together for worship.  As time has gone on it feels as if our prayers for the removal of this virus and a return to normal life have got stuck in amber.  And for people who have lost family members to this terrible disease despite their prayers, it must sometimes feel as if heaven is silent.  At times we are all left wondering why God who is loving and who has the power to stop this virus in an instant, doesn’t do so.  It’s difficult for us in these times to be patient with God and to keep our faith.
So what are we to do?
Well one thing I find helpful is to remind ourselves that we are no different from all the people of faith who have gone before us.  At times they too were tempted to doubt and ask: “Has God forgotten us?  Does He not care? Can He help us?”
These are the exact questions many of the people of Israel asked when they were taken captive and were now living in exile under the rule and ridicule of their enemies the Babylonians.
The uncertainty of these circumstances had shaken their faith to the core! 
At this time the prophet Isaiah spoke the words that Edna read earlier to remind God’s children that because of who God is they could trust Him, even in the midst of great uncertainty.
In this passage we discover a number of questions that God’s people were asking in this time of uncertainty.  We also hear some very helpful answers that Isaiah gives.  Answers that enabled the people to love God by patiently waiting for Him. 
The first question we hear the people asking is- Does God not know the trouble we are in?
Here Isaiah reminds the nation of Israel that God knows the exact amount of water covering the earth, the size of the universe and the precise weight of all the hills and mountains.  There is nothing your God does not understand for He is all-knowing!
Whatever is keeping you awake at night whatever uncertainties with Covid 19 lie ahead let me encourage you – God knows about it, you can trust Him.
 
Having answered their first question, we hear the Israelites asking a second question…
Yes, we know God understands, but does He care?
Again Isaiah responds, “Yes He does!”  He reminds God’s people that God is the Shepherd who gathers the weak and vulnerable into his arms.  What a picture of who we are, and what God is like.  Here Isaiah encourages us that in the midst of our weakness, our failures and our difficulties, God still loves us, He lifts us into His arms and holds us close to His heart.
Whatever difficulties or however much uncertainty we will continue to face, we can take comfort in the knowledge that God knows best.  When we hurt, He hurts.  When we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us.  Yes God understands, but the even greater truth is that He also cares.  He seeks us out, He lifts us up, and He holds us close to His heart!  Let me encourage you in these difficult times to sit in the presence of the Good Shepherd and let His love fill you with comfort and patience.
The last question the people ask is, “Yes I know God understands and cares but can He help me?”
Again Isaiah booms, “Yes He can!”
Today because of Covid 19 and Brexit there is a growing fear of another collapse in the global economy.  There is uncertainty about our jobs, our kid’s education and when people on waiting lists for operations will be seen.
But in the midst of this all, we must also listen to the voice of the prophet.  Isaiah reminds us that while caring deeply about our situation, God has no such fear, for somehow He is in complete control. 
Our God is in the driving seat of this world.  He is in control of the present situation we are facing as a country and in the situations that affect us in our individual lives.  In the midst of every circumstance of life, in every part of this universe, God is there, ever present, willing to help us, wanting to teach us to cling more closely to Him, wanting to strengthen the muscles of our faith.
Isaiah’s words still thunder today, “God is in control, you can trust Him!”
Finally Isaiah reminds God’s children that, not only is He in control, He is also all-powerful.  What’s more, His power never weakens and He is willing to share it!  Listen to what Isaiah says about God’s willingness to help us by His power (v 30-31).
 
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.
 
Are you weary of this pandemic and all the uncertainties that still lie ahead?
Then let me encourage you to lift your eyes to God and pray.
Isaiah’s words still thunder today, “God is in control, you can trust Him!  God is all-powerful.  When you cry out to Him he will help you.”  Let me conclude.
 
Conclusion
God is love and love is patient.  That above all other things is what we need at this present time.  So we need to get on our knees and pray and ask God specifically – Please give me patience! If we do that, He will answer.  He will give us patience with other people, patience with ourselves, patience with difficult circumstances and patience to trust that despite the uncertainty of the future, God understands, he cares about us deeply, He is somehow in control and He is able to help us and give us the grace that we need to carry on.
Prayer for others
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the many ways in which your Word has proved to be a lamp to our feet as we have walked the path of pandemic and lived through the days of lockdown.
We ask that you would continue to guide all those who feed us through preaching and teaching.
We thank you for all those who continue to give leadership in every sphere of life.  Give each one wisdom as they continue to decide on many difficult matters and carefully guide in days of ongoing uncertainty. 
We pray for those who manage others- Lord, please help them to be caring in every situation and to build increasing confidence in those who look to them for leadership as they resume working life.  
Father, we thank you for the many ways in which staff in care homes have shown great dedication and devotion to residents in a time of great stress and strain.
We pray for the ongoing battle to keep care homes infection free.  Be especially near to Hilda and Johe and all our family members who are in residential care.  Lord, please gradually restore normal patterns of daily life for residents and staff, and may all be kept safe as family and friends visit.
We pray for children and young people.  Lord, please use the summer months and a continued return to more normal patterns of life to restore peace of heart and mind. 
We thank you for those who are now recovering from contracting the COVID-19 virus.  Please continue to rebuild their strength and energy levels.
We pray for all who are sick or undergoing treatment for other illnesses.  We remember those who are terminally ill.  Surround all who are suffering or grieving with your love and comfort.
Father God, thank you for the lessons we have learned through the trials of recent months.  Grant us your grace to know our lives truly changed and wisdom in knowing how to better follow your ways.
Lord we pray that as individuals and congregations we would not lose the lessons you have sought to teach us through recent experiences in our rush to return to routine.
Take a few moments to pray for others…
We offer all our prayers in Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
Closing Words
 
It’s been a joy and privilege to share with you again today.  Thanks again for logging on.  I hope that you have felt part of our congregation as they are meeting at the same time as this online broadcast.  We are sorry that you aren’t able to join us because of your current circumstances but we hope that in the near future  you will be able to be with us. 
 
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s reflection on the nature of Christian love.  Please do spend some time in quiet over the next few days asking the Lord to show you areas where you are finding it difficult to be patient and asking Him for help.  There will be no midweek recording this Wednesday.  Remember if you are planning to come to church next Sunday- do bring your signed Covid 19 policy if you haven’t already emailed that to us.  Remember, we will aim to start at 10.00am as usual but if you can be there earlier than normal that will enable us to get everyone safely seated before we start.  Don’t forget to let us know you are coming by emailing Aleida before next Friday evening.  That will give us time to arrange the seating for Sunday.  In the meantime, let me lead you in a Benediction after which I invite you as always, to say the grace together…
 
Benediction
Go now and proclaim the good news, not just through words but deeds – through what you say, what you do and who you are.  May others as they meet with you, meet with Christ and know His living presence for themselves…
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all now and for evermore, Amen.”