Update from North Edinburgh

We’ve been informed that we were unsuccessful in our application for the local community centre. It will now be transferred to another organisation.

Our God, who knows all things and is always wise and good and powerful, has answered us but not with the answer we wanted. He doesn’t make mistakes. He has a different plan for us, a better plan. We can’t see it. But faith is being certain of what we don’t see (Heb. 11:1). Even if we don’t see or understand them, God has GOOD reasons for not giving us this building; for us meeting in any of the temporary venues we use until we get our own building; and for providing for us whatever building He does eventually give to us. So we are disappointed, but not discouraged. God is building His Church.

I quoted from this helpful article (https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/better-to-have-a-burden) in one of last week’s sermons – not (intentionally) connecting it to the building decision and, obviously, not knowing the outcome at that point. It’s helpful. It’s tempting for us to think: we could do more good for God’s kingdom with a building of our own. But for now He’s continuing to give us the burden of not having our own building. And that burden keeps us looking to Him.

How tempting to imagine how fruitful we might be without such burdens. Wouldn’t we be better parents, leaders, workers, Christians if we could run faster? Wouldn’t we do more good for God’s kingdom?

Maybe Jacob, David, and Paul wondered too. Limps and hurled spears and thorns have a way of hindering efficiency and ruining plans. In time, however, the wisdom of God became plain. Jacob’s limp leaned him toward his Lord (Genesis 32:31), David’s enemies made God his stronghold (Psalm 27:1), and Paul’s thorn brought a word far sweeter than strength: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Thank you all so much for your prayers for us. It has been such a massive encouragement in recent weeks to be aware of prayers all over the world. Please keep praying. Our need hasn’t changed.