Passage to Ponder: Psalm 5
“But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.” --Psalm 5:11-12 (NASB)
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! While most Baptists don’t go crazy with celebrations on this day, there is something we can learn of great spiritual value from this gentle man of faith—one of the greatest men in church history.
Patrick isn't really a Saint with a capital S, having never been officially canonized by Rome. And Patrick couldn't have driven the snakes out of Ireland because there were never any snakes there to begin with. He wasn't even the first evangelist to Ireland (Palladius had been sent in 431, about five years before Patrick went). Patrick isn't even Irish. He's from what's now Dumbarton, Scotland (just northwest of Glasgow).
Patrick was 16 years old in about the year 405, when he was captured in a raid and became a slave in what was still radically pagan Ireland. Far from home, he clung to the religion he had ignored as a teenager. Even though his grandfather had been a priest, and his father a town councilor, Patrick did not know Christ as Savior. Forced to tend his master's sheep in Ireland, he spent his six years of bondage mainly in prayer and came to faith in Christ. He escaped at the suggestion of a dream and returned home.
Patrick was in his mid-40s when God called him to return to Ireland. Palladius had not been very successful in his mission, and the returning former slave replaced him. Intimately familiar with the Irish clan system (his former master, Milchu, had been a chieftain), Patrick's sought to convert chiefs first, who would then convert their clans through their influence. His former master, Milchu, was one of his earliest converts.
Though he was not solely responsible for converting the island, Patrick was quite successful. He made missionary journeys all over Ireland. In 433 A.D., history tells us that St. Patrick was praying for God’s divine protection in his work and ministry in Ireland while facing powerful enemies. He wrote a prayer called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” which is still widely known and recited today. Click on the link and be blessed by this prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQc4qS7TF-k
God soon opened the door for him to share Christ with the Irish King Laoghaire and his subjects. This allowed Patrick to be a part of bringing them out paganism’s dark hold to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Patrick was a man who knew much about darkness, hardship, and enemy territory.
Patrick’s life is such an example to us still today, that even in the darkest of times, God’s Sovereignty shines over His people. God will come to our aid. God will bless us and let His favor surround our lives. Because He’s a good and loving God, nothing escapes His notice. He watches over us, and we can trust that our lives and circumstances are held securely in His hands.
Patrick isn't really a Saint with a capital S, having never been officially canonized by Rome. And Patrick couldn't have driven the snakes out of Ireland because there were never any snakes there to begin with. He wasn't even the first evangelist to Ireland (Palladius had been sent in 431, about five years before Patrick went). Patrick isn't even Irish. He's from what's now Dumbarton, Scotland (just northwest of Glasgow).
Patrick was 16 years old in about the year 405, when he was captured in a raid and became a slave in what was still radically pagan Ireland. Far from home, he clung to the religion he had ignored as a teenager. Even though his grandfather had been a priest, and his father a town councilor, Patrick did not know Christ as Savior. Forced to tend his master's sheep in Ireland, he spent his six years of bondage mainly in prayer and came to faith in Christ. He escaped at the suggestion of a dream and returned home.
Patrick was in his mid-40s when God called him to return to Ireland. Palladius had not been very successful in his mission, and the returning former slave replaced him. Intimately familiar with the Irish clan system (his former master, Milchu, had been a chieftain), Patrick's sought to convert chiefs first, who would then convert their clans through their influence. His former master, Milchu, was one of his earliest converts.
Though he was not solely responsible for converting the island, Patrick was quite successful. He made missionary journeys all over Ireland. In 433 A.D., history tells us that St. Patrick was praying for God’s divine protection in his work and ministry in Ireland while facing powerful enemies. He wrote a prayer called “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” which is still widely known and recited today. Click on the link and be blessed by this prayer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQc4qS7TF-k
God soon opened the door for him to share Christ with the Irish King Laoghaire and his subjects. This allowed Patrick to be a part of bringing them out paganism’s dark hold to the saving power of Jesus Christ. Patrick was a man who knew much about darkness, hardship, and enemy territory.
Patrick’s life is such an example to us still today, that even in the darkest of times, God’s Sovereignty shines over His people. God will come to our aid. God will bless us and let His favor surround our lives. Because He’s a good and loving God, nothing escapes His notice. He watches over us, and we can trust that our lives and circumstances are held securely in His hands.
Love,
Pastor Larry
(This is from a series of devotionals written during our time of restricted meetings and activities due to the coronavirus.)
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