“Our help standeth in the name of the Lord who hath made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:7 BCP)

  In our second lesson at Morning Prayer we read in the 2nd chapter of Acts, how Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, testified of Jesus Christ being the one foretold by David. For David spoke saying:

“Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt though suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Acts 2:27)

But David’s tomb was in Jerusalem, and he and all the Patriarchs had died and seen corruption, but Jesus Christ, who had been crucified by them, had been raised from the dead. Jesus was that Holy One, as Peter so revealed.

And in this testimony, Peter said of that Holy One:

“Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance” (Acts 2:28)

It was this same Peter whose Epistle we read today. Where he admonishes Christians to walk in the holy and righteous ways of God, not for yourselves, but to the glory and honor of the Lord. We are to fear Him, and trust in His judgements.

We are to be a living witness of God, at all times, and in all places. We are to be known as His by the way we lead our lives.

“Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King.”(1 Peter 2:17)

But the ways and instructions of God can be hard for many. Confusing, even unto the disciples themselves. Peter himself may have experienced this when he was present also during the events recorded in out Gospel lesson today.

In it, Jesus tells the disciples:

“A little while, and ye shall not see me; and again a little while and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father” (John 16:16)

  We know that Jesus was speaking of his resurrection and ascension, but it had not been revealed to them fully at that time, so this simple statement put them in a whirl. They did not understand what Jesus was saying. Just like many who believe do not understand the whats and whys of the things God has done and said.

In the 3rd chapter of the book of Proverbs we are told to:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)

But many, even among the faithful, may find this hard, as the Apostles did at this time.

Though, even if we do not understand the whys and hows of this world and God’s plan for it, we must remember that we were told we would have such trails, but that we are to be faithful.

  At many places in the Bible, we are even told that we will not understand, but still, we are to have faith.

Like so many of us, when we do have questions and confusion, we (though we know better) are hesitant to turn to God.

Lucky for us, God is merciful. Just as He sent Jesus Christ to pay for us what we could not pay ourselves, similarly here, Jesus comes to them when they fail to come to Him.

“Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.” (John 16:19-20)

“[Y]our sorrow shall be turned into joy” this is the promise of God. If we walk in His ways, then all our sorrows in this life will be turned to joy, when we rise again.

As Peter testified at Pentecost:

“Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36)

And it is that Jesus who says:

“A little while, and ye shall not see me; and again a little while and ye shall see me” (John 16:16)

For this life is but a little while when it is compared that eternal life, which is the life promised unto all those who in Jesus Christ do truly believe.

“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again [say Jesus], and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you” (John 16:22)

Amen. Amen!