When I was a teenager, I used to go to Riis Park Beach in Queens, New York. We would go as a youth
group during the Summer and enjoy the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the particular features of that beach
were its “bays”. They were sections of the beach that were delineated by rock jetties extending from the fine
sandy beach into the turbulent ocean. The jetties were there to influence the current and riptides so that it was
safer to bathe. These jetties were “off limits” to bathers, but as typical teens, we wanted to explore them. So, we
would gingerly jump from rock to rock and go out to the end of the jetty. Fortunately, none of us ever got into
trouble or fell into the water. Now, as I look back, the experience of standing on those rocks reminds me of the
words and truths in Psalm 62.

I recall jumping from rock to rock, until I found one which was flat enough to confidently stand on. I could experience the big waves crashing onto the rock, with the splashing salt water drenching me amidst the loud sounds of the ferocious ocean surrounding me. In spite of the dangerous situation I was in, my feet felt no movement under me, whatsoever. My senses told me that there was formidable power surrounding me. I could hear the waves crashing, I could feel the water splashing and the wind blowing, I could taste the salt water in my mouth and the burning sensation in my eyes. But, I had no trouble keeping my balance because the rock was not moving. The rock was so big and so heavy, that it could not move. It was as if the surrounding torrent was no threat to me at all. I was safe. So when I read Psalm 62, I identified almost immediately with the rock jetties that I used to recklessly explore. In the midst of danger, the rock was a safe place.

David said that, “God only” is that safe place. God only is his rock. God only is his salvation. God only is his stronghold. God only keeps him from being shaken. God only is his strength. God only is his refuge. David rests his salvation and glory on God alone, He is his rock. So David exhorts us to pour out our hearts to God alone, for He is our refuge in the midst of any kind of tumult in our lives.

As I hear of the increasing cases of COVID-19 and accompanying deaths, as I reflect on the incomprehensible events at the U. S. Capitol, as I recall the all too frequent reports of racial violence, of civil disobedience accompanying peaceful protest, of worldwide reports of religious persecution, of economic devastation to many businesses, of divisiveness in churches over face coverings and in-person meetings, of reports about prominent Christian leaders participating in some of the most heinous sins, and the list goes on, I am at rest when I stand on the Rock of my salvation. That is only possible through faith. That is only through an intimate experiential knowledge of the Creator God.

When we experientially know Him through our relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, we will by faith, rest
secure on the jetty that is extended out into the tumultuous ocean of a sin corrupted world. My prayer is that you
will read Psalm 62 and draw hope from the Rock, Who alone is God our Savior.

Bill Olsen, Elder

        I have experienced a more thankful spirit because I have been learning not to take a lot of things for granted. God is with us and will never leave us and He is in absolute control in spite of all the unfavorable experiences we face. Looking back we can see hardship and we can see reasons for thanksgiving. As a result I have grown closer to Him. I have been encouraged to serve Him more this year.

       As I read Psalm 103 during one of my quiet times with my LORD, I was greatly encouraged by what David wrote for our benefit. Please follow along as I bring out some valuable lessons from David’s words to prepare you for each day which in reality will be the first day of the rest of your life.

         In verses 1-5, David begins with worship as he remembers what the LORD has done for us. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, [bless] His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, [so that] your youth is renewed like the eagle.”

         In verses 6-14, David emphasizes that the LORD does not keep our past sins hanging over us because He is compassionate and gracious. “The LORD performs righteous deeds and judgments for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel [Exodus 34:6-7]. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. He will not always strive [with us,] nor will He keep [His anger] forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on [his] children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are [but] dust.”  

In verses 15-19, David reflects on the LORD’s lovingkindness toward those who have reverential obedience toward Him. “As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer. But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them. The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all.”

         In verses 20-22, David exhorts the angels and all of His creation who serve Him to bless the LORD. “Bless the LORD, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul!”

          Each day, let us follow the steps laid out by David. Don’t forget what the LORD has previously done in you and for you. Remember that all your past sins are forgiven and will not be held against you.  Rejoice in His unfailing lovingkindness toward you. Finally, serve and bless Him.

 Each day, for the rest of your life, Bless the LORD!

 Bill Olsen, Elder

         Well, this world, and the god of this world, Satan, lives in the domain of darkness and for millenniums most of mankind was living in that domain. Men and women were living as if they were in darkness, not seeing the actions they were taking were leading them into destruction. They were not aware of the spiritual stumbling blocks, the potholes, the pits or the chasm in front of them. Those things were invisible to them because they were blind to them. The god of this world had blinded them so that they could not see, nor did they really want to see. They loved the darkness because they did evil things and believed that they could hide in the darkness.

         THEN, God shattered the darkness by sending the Light into the darkness 2000 years ago.

A little child was born to insignificant parents, in an insignificant village in Israel and in an insignificant moment in the history of the Roman empire. BUT, that baby was the fulfillment of the prophecy made by Isaiah about 700 years prior to His birth, “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them” (Isaiah 9:2, NASB) and, “To bring open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon and those who dwell in darkness from the prison” (Isaiah 42:7, NASB).

         Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world, he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12, NASB) Luke records Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus where Paul hears Jesus tell him that he has been chosen to be a witness to the Gentiles,“to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me” (Acts 26;!8, NASB).

         However, the Apostle John says, “this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil” (John 3:19, NASB). Those are some of the most tragic words you can read. Just think of it this way. Imagine a person who is blind from birth, who is told that there is a procedure that a surgeon has developed which will give that person 20/20 vision and that this surgeon has performed countless successful surgeries. On top of that, this surgeon is willing to perform the surgery for free, as soon as this person asks him to do it. Imagine the blind person saying, “I love my blindness! I’m used to it. As a matter of fact, my other senses have been further developed as a result of my blindness. No thanks. I don’t want your free gift! It may be good for you, but not for me.”

         Do you remember the years you lived when you were blind and living in darkness? Do you remember the times when you heard about Jesus but were enjoying your life of sin? BUT, remember the moment of faith when you reached out and received the gift of sight as the Great Physician performed that supernatural surgery miraculously healing your spiritual blindness? You immediately saw the Light and He now lives in you for eternity. Paul encouraged the church at Thessalonica with these words, “for you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of night nor of darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5, NASB).

         Paul exhorted the Ephesians, “you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord, walk as children of Light” (Ephesians 5:8, NASB) and to the Romans he said that he was “confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness” (Romans 2:19, NASB).

     Praise God that the Light has come into the world as a little child and you have received that Light by faith. Now that you are Light in the Lord, be a guide and let your light so shine that others may comprehend the true meaning of Christmas. The Light has come and has dispelled the darkness to all who will receive the Light.