Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-10

There has certainly been much cause for rejoicing among those connected with LM-A over these past couple of weeks. What joy we experienced at the official launch of LM-A and the service of installation as hundreds of people, united in confession, gathered from across the country, together with guests from around the world. And what a delight to witness new congregations being established and Divine Service being conducted in Geelong and the Barossa Valley as people rejoiced to receive God’s good gifts with a good conscience. But if we’re honest, these events have also sparked negative reactions from some who do not understand the need for LM-A, and it seems attacks and accusations have escalated as we might have expected they would. 

We cannot control how others respond, but neither should we feel the need to constantly defend our actions as we seek to follow God’s Word and be true to our Confessional heritage. Of course that is easier said than done. When the arrows fly and our character and motives are called into question, the temptation to defend ourselves is real, but perhaps the temptation to attack is even more acute. 

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'  

(Matthew 28:16-20) 

During the forty days after Jesus’ resurrection, the apostles experience grief, fear, disappointment, doubt, joy, hope, more doubt and a fair amount of anxiety thrown in for good measure. Despite having seen their Lord raised from the dead, things were not as black and white as they might have liked. In the midst of this confusion Jesus told them to go the mountain of the Lord and worship him. As they gather, Jesus comes to them showing them his true authority.  The Lord of lords sends them out to tell everyone the good news, baptising them in the name of the Triune God and teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded. He reassures them that he is always with them, ‘to the end of the age’. 

As we face this time of uncertainty and grief, let’s do what the disciples did. Let’s come together as believers to be served by the Triune God. Wherever you are, seek opportunities to meet with other believers in your homes and in your congregations. Listen to God's Word, pray and cast your doubts, fears and anxieties on him, for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).