Lest we get too downhearted, remember: the Bible tells us of many times when God’s people in Israel and Judah fell away from their faith. Indeed, Elijah despaired for it almost to the point of death (I Kings 19). And there will be great fallings-away yet to come, as Paul warns us in 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Yet even in the worst of times, God says, “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him” (1 Kings 19:18). God always keeps a remnant alive in faith, even in the midst of blazing apostasy.
It may be some of this remnant singing with the choir at Wells Cathedral, The Lord is My Shepherd: Psalm 23 set to music by Howard Goodall.
Individual men and women can come back from atheism, as C.S. Lewis did–and he had a long way to go, too.
The Good Shepherd will not forget His sheep.
Beautiful. Very much needed and appreciated. Thank you, Lee.
Thank you for the reminder, Lee. So long as we stand fast, the Lord will uphold us. See also Psalm 63: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand holds me fast.”
This is an encouragement which we can all use. I am doing my daily reading through the Psalms now, and there is so much wisdom there.