December, 1997

A New Day Is Coming
Tom Torrance

Are you looking forward to the closing of 1997 and the hope of a better new year? Have you thrown up your hands in exasperation at the events that have taken place, most of them out of your control?

Were you touched by the devastating flood in the west? Do you know someone who is still getting over that disaster? Were you affected by the largest teacher's strike in Ontario's history? Who has not been affected by the postal strike?

Have you watched helplessly as economic conditions and political influences changed lives through downsizing jobs and downloading debts?

How have you handled the news about the vicious and cruel activities of the Canadian Armed Forces?

Church has not been spared the negative side of 1997. We have witnessed such things as the approval of the Formula of Agreement--despite the open and ongoing protest by most of the RCA congregations in Canada.

Bill Phipps, the moderator of the United Church of Canada has announced that the Bible isn't a valid historical record and that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God. Reactions are mixed. Mr. Phipps congratulates himself and suggests that, because of him, more people are talking about Jesus than before; he sees this as a good thing. Will this lead to another split in the United Church?

Doesn't it make you wonder? Are you looking forward to the closing of 1997 and the hope of a better new year?

Pray for the people who have suffered in the past year and for the people who may have caused the suffering.

There is a new day coming! It may not be as soon as 1998 or the year after; it may be as soon as tomorrow. Time, in our human perception, is misleading. God is more patient than we can ever be, and He is understanding of our misconception of time.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. II Peter 3:8

There will be more disasters in our human lives. But for those of us who have found the Saviour, there is more than just hope for a better tomorrow: there is assurance. It is certain. Our ears have been opened and we have heard the promises of God.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Jesus Christ.Ephesians 2:6-7

With the coming of the new year, remember the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and the promise to all who have found Him and claim Him as Lord and Saviour. There is a new day coming. Praise Him!

From all of us at The Pioneer, may the blessings of this Holy Season be with you and yours.