Comment By Torchlight

Postal Dispute

Now that postal services in the United Kingdom have been restored we thank friends who helped in the production and distribution of the February and March issues of Needed Truth. By a united effort formidable difficulties were overcome, and these issues were available almost to normal schedule, thus ensuring continuity in the ministry of the magazine.

The serious disruption of communications during the 7week strike brought home to us the importance of services which we are inclined to take for granted. The severing of contact with those working overseas was, perhaps, the most serious consequence of the dispute, and caused considerable anxiety to many. But one avenue of communication is open at all times and in all circumstances, and, no doubt, with many of us, resort to the throne of grace on behalf of brethren loved and longed-for became more frequent and meaningful.

"There is a spot where spirits blend,

And friend holds fellowship with friend;

Though sundered far, by faith we meet

Around one common Mercy Seat".

If the postal dispute stimulated fellowship in prayer for workers overseas, let us resolve to continue steadfastly in this vital exercise. The value of such service was frequently emphasized by the apostle Paul. When he sent from prison the inspiring picture of the armed sentinal of the Lord, standing on the battlefield equipped with the whole armour of God, he stressed the importance of keeping open the line of communication with the great Commander in the heavenlies:

"With all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints, and on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel"

(Eph. 6:18,19).

Attention is drawn to the stirring article by our esteemed co-worker Guy Jarvie on pp.58, 59-PauJ, Prayer Warrior, which is relevant to our comment above. This is indeed "a word in season".

A Grave Warning

In his annual "state of the world" message to Congress last month President Nixon gave a warning that a new world war could break out over the Middle East rather than over Vietnam. The situation, he said, had a greater potential for "drawing Soviet policy and our own into a collision that could prove uncontrollable". He made clear that any attempt to dominate the Middle East would be resisted.

Coming on the eve of the end of the cease-fire agreement on March 7 these plain words have an ominous ring. They confirm the total involvement of the Great Powers in the Middle East crisis.

At the time of writing (March 15) there appears to have been no serious Israeli-Arab clashes since the end of the ceasefire agreement. But the prospect of direct negotiations between Israel and the Arab States seems no nearer. The key to the situation is the occupied territories and whether Israel is prepared to withdraw, and if so, on what terms.

A mounting wave of anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union is another disturbing feature of an already critical situation. What is the answer? No man can supply it at present. Some day a man will arise with a fraudulent solution-but not yet. The words of our Lord are relevant:

"I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive" (John 5:43).

Meanwhile the problem of Israel remains. Present events foreshadow the end-time conditions clearly specified in the prophetic Word:

"Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all peoples round about, ... and it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it" (Zech. 12:2,3).

Inflation

The present economic malaise in the United Kingdom and the struggle to contain the inflationary spiral are major issues in Government policy. But the problem of inflation is not confined to Britain, it is a world-wide one. We refer briefly to it here in its bearing on the Lord's work and workers supported by the voluntary offerings of the Lord's people.

Rising costs are not only a secular problem, they have to be

reckoned with over a wide area of Christian activity. There is no need to specify; those exercised to share financial burdens in sustaining the Lord's work and workers will count it a privilege to do all in their power to see that there is no lack.

Then there may be cases of hardship among the aged and infirm, particularly those with fixed incomes, who are increasingly embarrassed by the rising cost of living. There is room here for watchful care and practical help in the Spirit of Christ.

unknown | Apr 1971
Comment By Torchlight