Georgia Council of MOAA - CHAPLAINS-DEVOTIONAL-------------------HE-IS-BORN

CHAPLAINS DEVOTIONAL HE IS BORN

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Chaplain’s Corner

MOAA Spring 2025

“Before they call, I will answer; while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

This verse causes me to pause every time I read it. To think that our God knows our need even before we do brings great comfort to me.

This theme is not unique to this one little verse. When Abraham, at the command of God, took his son Isaac to place him on an altar he discovered that God had already provided a lamb – even before he knew he would need a lamb!

Later, when Joseph was in Egypt and had become second only to Pharoah, his brothers were afraid because of what they had done to him. But Joseph told them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for your good to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.” God provided for the people of Israel even before they knew they needed provision.

And Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount said, “your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:8)

Several years ago, I read a story of a missionary in central Africa during the early 20th century. The medical missionary wrote:

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but despite all we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter.   We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator). One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle.   She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates). "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. "All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts.   Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me.   I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills.   I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During prayer time, one ten-year old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children.   "Please, God" she prayed, "Send us a water bottle.   It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl, so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen"? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything, the Bible says so.   But there are limits, aren't there?   The only way God could answer this prayer would be by sending me a parcel from homeland.   I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home.   Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle?   I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door.

By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.

Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting.

Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the ... could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out - yes, a brand-new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.

Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

God knows our need even before we ask. That encourages me to pray, to believe that God knows my need and that He will answer. May our God hear and answer your prayers today.

CH (COL) Ron Crews US Army (Ret) and Mrs Crews

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Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”

Whenever you read this, remember to rest physically, mentally and spiritually.

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Psalm 122 is one of the fifteen “Songs of Ascent”, to be sung as pilgrims made their way to Jerusalem for their holy days. Since Jerusalem sits on a hill, one always goes up to Jerusalem. There were also 15 steps leading to primary entrance to the temple, so pilgrims may have sung a Psalm on each step.

I was glad when they said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the LORD."

Our feet are standing in your gates,

O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built up

As a city united together,

where the tribes go up,

the tribes of the LORD,

as a testimony for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

For there the thrones of judgment stand,

the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you prosper

May there be peace within your walls,

and prosperity inside your fortresses.”

For the sake of my brothers and friends,

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,

I will seek your prosperity.

I think this Psalm is particularly relevant for this Holiday Season. David, the author of this Psalm, exhorts the singers to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” The Hebrew word for “peace” is SHALOM. This word is used as a greeting and as a farewell even to this day. Shalom means far more the “peace”. For the Hebrews, Shalom means wholeness, health, security, God’s provision for all you need to be complete.

David prays that those who love Jerusalem will prosper. There is a sense that those who favor God’s people will be blessed. My wife and I pray this verse every day. We pray for the Shalom of Jerusalem. We need God’s Shalom more than ever!

May you and yours experience God’s Shalom during this most Holy Season when we who are Christians celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace/Shalom. May you know His Shalom throughout the New Year.

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Heart Shield Bibles

One of the items carried by many of our heroes was a small New Testament that had been printed at the request of President Roosevelt. Most soldiers carried these Bibles in their left breast pocket, near their heart. They were correctly named “heart shield Bibles”.

President Roosevelt included a personal message that was printed on the first page of these Bibles. It said, “As Commander-in-Chief I take pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible… Throughout the centuries men of many faiths and diverse origins have found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel, and inspiration.

One soldier named John Phillips, recorded that while walking though knee-deep snow during the Battle of the Bulge, he walked into an ambush. In a burst of gunfire, he was hit several times. Lying in the snow, he instinctively reached for his heart to search for the wound he knew was there. Instead, he found his Bible with a round lodged in it. He credited his survival to his heart shield Bible.

Phillips was not the only soldier who gave witness to being spared by their Bibles. In reality, those little Bibles could not stop a bullet, but the fact is, they did. Miracle? Chance? I know what I believe!

As I write today, I grieve that what Roosevelt did would not be done today. Our nation has changed significantly since the days of our fathers. But I take hope in the fact that the power of God’s Word is still strong. Those who take refuge in Him will not be put to shame (Psalm 25:3). His Word is still powerful. His Word has not changed. His Word still offers wisdom, counsel and inspiration.

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Father's World

Part of the Army training that remains with me is doing some sort of morning PT. My days of running two miles, push-ups and sit-ups are long gone. However, I still try to walk at least 1.5 miles four to five times a week. No pressure on you!

During my walks I listen to music and use the time to meditate and pray. One of the songs on my list is the great hymn, “This is My Father’s World”. The arrangement I listen to is by a group called, Glad, five men who sing acapella. They are amazing.

This hymn was written by a Presbyterian pastor, Rev, Maltbie D. Babcock, in 1901 shortly before his death. It reminds me daily, that regardless of what is going on in this world, either good things or tragic things, we are not alone. We do not have to face things alone. There is One who is the Ultimate authority, who Rules and is ever watchful over His creation.

I encourage you to read and consider these words:

This is my Father’s world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world:

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas---

His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:

The birds their carols raise,

The morning light, the lily white,

Declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world:

He shines in all that’s fair;

In the rustling grass I hear Him pass

He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world:

O let me not forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world:

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!

God reigns, let earth be glad!

The composer ends the hymn with the words, “Sing Joyfully”! I obey his admonition.

May the LORD richly bless you and yours this day and throughout 2023.

Ron

CH (COL) Ron Crews, USAR Retired

Daniel 11:32b "The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action."

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Chaplain’s Corner

Preachers Rock | HikeTheSouth
(View from Preacher’s Rock)

One of the many things my wife and I love about living in north Georgia is being close to mountains. My brother told me that we do not live in the mountains, but we can see them from our yard, and indeed we can. We have a goal to see as many waterfalls as we can, even if it means climbing some amazing trails to get there. As long as the LORD grants us strength, we will pursue this goal.

This past week we climbed a portion of Blood Mountain and were rewarded with an amazing vista at what is known as “Preacher’s Rock”. Some legends say a local preacher would come here to practice his sermons and others would come to listen. Others say it is so named because it would be a great place to serve as a pulpit to preach to those in the valley below. As a preacher myself, I love either possibility, and I did in fact share a bit about “The Chosen”, our favorite TV show about Jesus and His disciples.

One of the reasons I love the mountains is because of the way mountains are portrayed in Scripture, Like Psalm 121:
I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

It is not that our help comes from the mountains, but that mountains are a picture of the strength, the majesty, the power of God. Psalm 125 makes this clear:
Those who trust in the LORD as like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds His people.
from this time forth and forevermore.

I don’t know about you, but I need this assurance right now. It seems our world is shaking; things we once thought permanent are being challenged. So, I look at our magnificent mountains. They remind me of my unchanging God. He never changes. He is always here and always near. My eyes and my soul find rest as I look on Him.

For God and Country!

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Georgia Council of MOAA