Calvin Synod Herald, 2014 (115. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2014-01-01 / 1-2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 3 A Prayer of David Psalm 17 "Hear a just cause, 0 Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! From thee let my vindication come! Let thy eyes see the right! If thou triest my heart, if thou visitest me by night, if thou testest me, thou wilt find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. With regard to the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to thy paths, my feet have not slipped. I call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God; incline thy ear to me, hear my words. Wondrously show thy steadfast love, O savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at thy right hand. Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me in the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked who despoil me, my deadly enemies who surround me. They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They track me down; now they surround me; they set their eyes to cast me to serve his congregation through many health challenges. This dedicated group of ministers is an inspiration to us all. Finally, we come to Reverend Imre A. Bertalan, who served our congregation for more than 10 years. He is the Executive Director of Bethlen Communities and he has made our church his spiritual priority. Mr. Wilburn Roby assists him as Licensed Lay Minister and serves us faithfully. Of course, the children’s moments, led by Kati Csornán, were so relevant. How can they know our history, unless we teach them? The children are in reality, “the future church.” We have a great legacy to carry on. Are we up to the challenge? When I think about the love of Christ, I think about Mrs. Louis Medgyesi, who fed the underprivileged children breakfast in her church at Fairport Harbor for many years. When I think about the love of Christ I think of Reverend Daniel Borsay, who led his church to support our congregation, as their mission church, when we were in need. When I think about the love of Christ I think about Reverend Ilona Komjáthy, who took up a collection in Pittsburgh to help pay for our new church doors. All these acts if love are what Christ calls us to do to support one another. God bless those acts of love. It has been a privilege to serve this congregation and I have relied on my church family and God’s providence to carry me through trying circumstances. We are grateful to everyone who came to celebrate this milestone in our church life. We are grateful to God for this marvelous display of His Majesty. To God Be the Glory Arlene Csornán, Chief Elder and The Congregation of Third Avenue Calvin Reformed Church the ground. They are like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. Arise, O Lord! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword, from men by thy hand, O Lord, from men whose portion in life is of the world. May their belly be filled with what thou hast stored up for them; may their children have more than enough; may they leave something over to their babes. As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding thy form." Dear Sisters and Brothers in Calvin Synod! At the beginning of this New Year, we look to God’s Word to guide us to an understanding of the past events, to learn from it, and to provide direction for the future. Psalm 17 is a special prayer of King David which John Calvin summarized in the following way "This psalm contains a mournful complaint against the cruel pride of David's enemies. He protests that he did not deserve to be persecuted with such inhumanity, inasmuch as he had given them no cause for exercising their cruelty against him. At the same time, he asks God, as his protector, to put forth his power for his deliverance." In this Psalm, King David presents his faith and confidence in God. He tells God about the injustice which he is experiencing when his enemies are hunting him like a wild animal and want to destroy him. Even in the midst of difficulties he is sure of God’s help. He is aware that God understands his situation and he trusts in His deliverance. He does not wish ill on his enemies and he is free from envy. He does not focus on the richness of his foes and he is not envious of their joys. He trusts the Lord. To him life, honor, satisfaction, joy, and the future can be found in fullness in the Lord. He expresses his greatest comfort about the temporal and eternal future which he finds in the Lord Himself. "As for me, I shall behold thy face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with beholding thy form." Surely, we are experiencing many difficulties today in the world and in the Christian church. Our problems may be different or similar to those of David. Many of us are concerned about the pressing economic situation, alienation in our families and communities, or disillusion and the loss of hope for the future. Certainly our faith in and faithfulness to God is severely tested. Is it possible to remain faithful to God and not to depart from the community of faith? Yes, and David’s Psalm can be an encouragement to all of us! The future is unknown to us. As the Proverbs teach, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. ” The Psalmist and we know that God knows the future and we need to trust in Him alone. Then we will be satisfied, protected, and blessed by the nearness and presence of God, not just in the New Year 2014 but for all eternity. Peace and Blessings to you in the New Year! Rt. Rev. Béla Póznán, Bishop
