12 March

Dear Friends,

Dorothy tells me she read that this has been the sunniest start to March in the Netherlands since records began. It has certainly been uplifting to see the sun and feel its warmth even in the midst of some chilly winds. However, this blessing is not shared by all and we are all very conscious of yet more accounts of death and destruction in Ukraine. We pray for the people of Ukraine and for the leaders of neighbouring countries, that they may have the wisdom and the courage to make the right decisions, as the situation may well get worse before it gets better. 

At our Bible study on Wednesday, we read Psalm 33 and part of Psalm 37. These are Psalms written at difficult times and during difficult experiences. The situations are not directly comparable but there is wisdom and shared human experience that can help us maintain hope in God and in His righteous justice. Part of Psalm 33 reads: 

“The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees all humankind. From where He sits enthroned He watches all the inhabitants of the earth—He who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds. A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and shield. Our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

We can let this Psalm inform our prayers and our prayers for the people of Ukraine at this time.

This coming Sunday we continue to follow Luke’s account of Jesus’ journey towards Jerusalem. Luke brings together two interesting moments on that journey – a warning about Herod and a lament over Jerusalem, the stories of the fox and the hen. 

We have been greatly encouraged by the opportunity to meet many more of you in person at the Sunday services. This week will see the recommencement of Sunday School and from Sunday 20th March, the Junior Church will follow. We wish all involved a happy reunion after such a long separation.

David McMillan
(Locum minister)