Chaplain Kevin
Most of you know that I am writing, in partnership with writer pals, stories set in fictional Wild Rose Ridge. I am impressed with everyone’s stories and it has been so much fun to participate.
I must admit that sometimes I think some of my characters are pretty smart. In the current story, which is scheduled for release in May 2024, Kevin is the main character. He is a volunteer chaplain at the Wild Rose Camp on Monster Island for the summer.
Kevin gave a short message at Camp Fire Point this morning. I’m sure he would like me to share it with you.
The Same—Over Time
“’Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage: do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ This verse is from the Old Testament—Joshua 1:9. Now we read in Matthew 28:20, from the New Testament: ‘I am with you always even to the end of the age.’
“These two Scriptures have a similar theme in my mind. One is Old Testament. One is New Testament. Both underscore that our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In both Scriptures, He gives the assurance that He would be with His people.
Old Testament
“In Joshua, God is directing His commander of the Israelite army. His instructions to Joshua are to go into the land that He had given to Abraham generations earlier. The army was to take back the land. The problem was that the Canaanites had scared the generation that was supposed to go in with their size and strength. The Israelites refused to obey God. So, they wandered in the desert until that generation died off and their offspring inherited the commission.
“God was still with His people. The second generation went, and God was with them every step.”
New Testament
“Now let’s look at the Matthew passage. Jesus had just been resurrected from the dead and burial that He endured for our sakes. His disciples were gathered around Him receiving last minute instructions before He ascended into the clouds.
“His people were to go into all the world and tell them about Him. And He would be with them, even to the end of the age.”
God’s Plan
God’s promises are the same. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
“In the Old Testament, the people were to be obedient to take back the land. In the New Testament, God’s people are to be obedient to take back hearts. God’s plan has not changed. He will be with us wherever we go as well.”
Chapel’s End—but Not God’s Plan
And so, amid the dappled sun in the trees, soft waves upon the shore, and birdsong, chapel ended for the day. His leaders would go off to shepherd campers, fortified with the knowledge that they were a part of God’s epic plan. A part of the commission to go.
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