Psalm 74:5-7 They behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees. They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets. They burned your sanctuary to the ground; they defiled the dwelling place of your Name.
Have you seen the TV advert for a credit card with all of the Vikings? It’s a very funny series of commercials and more humorous than some of the regular sitcoms. I especially like the part when one of the Vikings is buying souvenirs in a ski shop and his son breaks a lot of glassware. His statement of “I’ll have these…and all of those,” (referring to the smashed items) is classic.
The Vikings, however, were not a bunch of comedians during the Dark Ages. They were the most feared terrorists in Europe. They looted villages and towns, especially all over Britain and destroyed many churches and sanctuaries. Hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of Christian monks were slaughtered and sacred places were defiled. It must have been the most harrowing of times to be living in, and today’s verses from Psalm 74 could have been written for those terrible and terrifying decades.
But the Church of Christ persevered. Each time it was destroyed, it rose up again. Eventually the Vikings themselves gave up their pagan ways and became Christians. The Light of Christ could not be extinguished and the Christian faith flourished throughout those dark times. Indeed, it was the Church that preserved not only the faith but also writing and reading, literature and libraries that would eventually bring about the rebirth of civilization.
These days, we all worry about the direction of the Church and wonder if it will die. People are abandoning institutionalized Christianity all over Western society and some doomsday prophets believe that it will not last beyond the 21st century. I totally disagree. The Church has been through all of this before and rose to even greater heights. In my heart, I believe that the best days of Christ’s Church on Earth are yet to come, and are not behind us. I only hope that I live long enough to see the beginning of the Second Renaissance.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the perseverance of Your Church on Earth. Despite times of ignorance and fear, destruction and devastation, Your Church has continued to flourish across the globe so that there are now more Christians on this planet than at any other time in the history of the world. Thank You for such a wonderful blessing and remind us that when it comes to death and dying, Christians believe in the power of resurrection and restoration. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.
John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send John an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.
Today’s image is John’s conception of a 21st century Celtic Cross. A public television show in Brazil for teenagers (www.tvcultura.com.br/almanaque) will be using it as one of their logos. If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2495732553_0a941af75b_b.jpg
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