Our Help
Captain's Log: Table Time ~ Saturday, October 4th, 2025 ~ Vespers
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
We were generously hosted tonight by an elder and his family. We had been hoping to spend an evening with them for a while and finally got it. Blessed evening. The grace of the Lord was evident in many ways.
Liam was in a reflective mood on the drive home. Asking about ‘what if one of my sons turns the whole family away from God straight after me? And what if the Lord brings judgment but not during my time?’ The story of Ahab has landed on him with considerable weight. But he did ask repeatedly, ‘Imagine… imagine if they turn the whole family away from God. Imagine…’
First of all, what a question for a four-year-old to be asking. There was a sobriety about him. And there was an awareness that this would be an incredible thing. It could happen. And it would be terrible. I’m struck by the way he is able to feel a burden for children he doesn’t have yet. And to already have a sense that we’re all supposed to keep carrying the fire.
I can’t put this down to anything else but becoming generational in our thinking about the promises of God, and treating the children as little members of the covenant with whom God is dealing even now. And for whom God has made plans. Plans that entail responsibility. Adventure, but responsibility.
We talked for some time as I drove. I encouraged Liam (Lewis was listening) to watch me do all I can to raise up my children in the way they should go, and then copy me as well as he can. And even improve on what he did, which he will be able to do. And to pray for his children. But then, to enjoy them. To enjoy God. To enjoy it all (that’s what I do!) Not to be anxious about these things. Because the promises are for us and for our children. When the Lord looks at Mama and Dada, he looks at our children as well. And when he looks at our children, he looks at their children also.
I told him I don’t worry about them because I know God has His arm around them and won’t let go. And I don’t worry about them because I know they know there is nothing more precious than Christ. I know they know that because I’ve taught them that. “I rest in that,” I told him. “I rest in that.”
Once back and showered, and in bed, I read Psalm 124 from the doorway. 'The Lord is our help, isn’t he? And his help will never fall through, never come short. There’s a lot of help in the world that does. But the Lord’s help doesn’t. The Lord’s help is resurrection help.'
Some questions about war, and contrasts between the wars in Israel’s day and ours. ‘The wars will come to an end.’
Glory to Thee my God this night
For all the blessings of the light
Keep me O keep me King of Kings
Beneath thine own almighty wings
Amen
Our Father in heaven…
Amen.