Treading "The Verge of Jordan" by Ian Sanderson - YouTube Snowmass Chapel

Treading "The Verge of Jordan" by Ian Sanderson Recorded at Snowmass Chapel on Sunday, September 16, 2012 SERMON NOTES - Treading "The Verge of Jordan" Paralles between life and hymn lyrics - Guide me oh thou Great Jehovah written by William Williams, born 1717. Reflecting he parallels with his personal faith journey that of the Israelites, in their journey to the promised land. These folk were sustained by Almighty God during their journey. They were "provided for" [ DIVINE PROVIDENCE], ditto the hymn writer's own experience. The hymn is both petition, for future Divine Guidance and providence and thanks for past guidance and providence. The writer of the 23rdPsalm, makes a similar affirmation based on his experience of Divine Providence. Hence psalmist's final affirmation "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever". Wow!!! Our first hymn, Great is Your Faithfulness, echoed William Williams and the Psalmist's faith that as God has provided so he "forever will". Again , past performance best possible indication of future "performance". Today's preacher reflecting on 71+ years of his life can make the same affirmation. Undeserved grace extended, undeserved grace gratefully accepted. Old Testament story/metaphor of "the verge of Jordan" Ian went to the Sinai desert last year visiting sites associated with Moses -- Israelites certainly needed Divine Providence to sojourn there! Coming out of the desert the Israeli host camped on the west bank of the Jordan River full of fear for what lay ahead. Their leader Joshua reminded them of God's past providence. O.T prophet Hosea likened the experience of God enduring Israel's disobedience yet continuing to love his people, with his [Hosea's], experience, continuing to love his wife Gomer despite her unfaithfulness. Divine Providence facilitated the Jordan river crossing, so they crossed and occupied the promised land. In the hymn William Williams used this metaphor as he drew a word picture of the end of his life. Ian's personal "verge of Jordan" experience The story of the conquest of the "promised land" when Ian first read it challenged his newly acquired faith. Could not reconcile the being whose loving presence he felt with a tribal God who favored one ethnic group over others, who ordained genocide, ethnic cleansing and infanticide simply because people lived in the wrong place at the wrong time. Answer for his came when he realized the historic background against which the account was written many centuries after it happened. In the past several years, Ian has known what it was to "tread the verge of Jordan", and he can affirm to this congregation his belief that the God who has sustained him "this side of the Jordan", the Christ who has blessed his life with his fellowship, will be there for him "on Canaan's side". W.C. Field said "growing old isn't for sissies". Let us all resolve grow old with the certainty that "the best is yet to be", when WE finally "cross to Canaan's side.

Treading "The Verge of Jordan" by Ian Sanderson - YouTube
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