Hope Returns!
Being a minister of the Gospel is a great privilege. Yesterday I had the unique opportunity to preach at the Scottish War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle. This is a service that takes place every year. It is a chance to remember and support in prayer all those who carry with them the wounds and scars of war and who feel the loss and pain of bereavement. It is a special service in that it seeks to highlight Scots who have given the greatest sacrifice of all. While there is much talk about the political implications of troops in Afghanistan and columns of words written in newspapers, this short service highlights what no building or memorial can ever do adequately, the loss and devastaion that so many families carry in their hearts daily. Finding the right thing to say is very important.
I chose the theme "Hope Returns". We all need hope do we not? The scripture readings were from Lamentations 3. 18-26 and 2 Corinthians 4. 7-18. Its amazing that we can always find a verse of scripture to bring comfort in the most difficult of times. I have always loved the Lamentations quote. I'll paraphrase it in my own words. " Yet hope returns, when Ii remember this one important thing. Even when I feel the bitter taste of sorrow in my mouth. Some how its the stedfast love of God that over whelms me. His kindnesses are made new to me every morning. How faithful your are Oh God.
It is this confidence in God's mercy that continually turns my cynicism into singing.
So what a wonderful day we had yesterday and what a wonderful message to give to those whose hearts were hurting. Those of you who know this passage of scripture will know what the writer intends by inviting the reader to wait for God.
For it is in the waiting that we encounter his presence.
Prayer
God of the broken hearted
Father of all
Saviour of the world
Draw near to us
For we do not know how to draw close to you
So many emotions stir within us this morning
Sadness and grief
Threaten to overwhelm us.
Courage and loyalty
Inspired by those we love
Strengthens us to stand tall
Yet to be bereaved
Means to be emptied of everything
Stripped bear
Vulnerable
Wasting away inside
Crumbling
Come Holy Spirit of God
Bind up the broken hearted
Strengthen the weary
Give new courage to those who failing
Enable us all to become
People waiting
With expectation
For hope will return
Great is your faithfulness
Through Christ Our Lord
Posted By: Helmut On: 4 Jun 2012 At: 12:40pm
When we were very young,
There was just a single photo,
Of him who died just before the end of the war.
Grandfather who never was,
How much I hated your son !
For what mum and I suffered.
Little did I know he was a broken man
Because you were never there.
Now they tell me of
Our Guilt Eternal,
That nobody wants to remember you and your friends,
Because you are the Eternal Evil Incarnate.
But to him you should have been a father,
A grandfather to me.
I do not remember your photo,
And I only just worked out where you died.
Late in my life I will now try and remember
You.