Thought for the Week

By Aviation Christian Fellowship

http://www.theskyishis.org/

Bible Verse

"If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. "

Ps 139:1 - 10 (ESV)

Reflection

These words are of great relevance in an industry where your work can take you all over the world, even to places where any outward display of allegiance to Jesus Christ is regarded as blasphemy and the gospel heresy.

When David penned his psalms he understood full well that, although the Mosaic Law and the Temple were essential to the covenant his people had agreed to keep. However hard he tried to obey, only God could and would keep him from falling. Whatever circumstance he found himself in he knew that God would lead him through even when he had failed, and, according to the Law, should have been put to death for adultery and murder. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life”, he sang.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whom David knew through the word of the Law, is the very same that was made flesh and dwelt among us, that we might know Him, not according to the Law, but by grace.

For all of us at sometime in our lives there will be moments of difficulty, even failure. For those working in the airlines and airports, all sorts of troubles seemingly conspire against the prime objective to safely deliver cargo, passengers and their baggage to their respective destinations, punctually, efficiently and comfortably. Some of those troubles are self inflicted, some of the time they arise from external circumstances beyond control. Whatever the cause, the product has failed to deliver and all too often the recriminations begin to fly, stress levels rise and the peace that surpasses all understanding seems but a fading dream.

As followers of the one who endured the agony of the cross we have all the resources of heaven at our disposal to still the storm, heal the wound and bind up the broken hearted; in fact it is our mandate. Unlike the Israelites, who elected to prove that they could follow the letter of the Law implicitly, we know the Prince of Peace, who promises to be there whenever we call on His name, along with our Counsellor and Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to guide us into plane2

all truth and equip us to live in it.

Will you be calling on His name today?

Thank the Lord for recent miraculous escapes from very serious accidents; the B777 that suffered complete engine failure on approach to Heathrow and the more recent ditching of an A320 in the Hudson River, New York. Please pray for continued safety.

The airline industry is very much affected by the current economic difficulties, pray that the Christians in the industry will remain true to the Word and that their trust in God might lead many to enquire of the hope that lies within. God may once more be shaking that which can be shaken, we need to know why, and to seek mercy, not judgement.

Pray for the Chief Executive Officers and leaders in the industry as they struggle to maintain healthy balance sheets without compromise to the high standards of service and safety expected by the travelling public.

Controversy surrounds the decision to expand airport capacity in the South East, especially the proposed 3rd runway at Heathrow. Please pray, for respect, and for a just solution. Remember the people of the village of Sipson, many of whom work at the airport. Potentially they could see their homes flattened by the construction bulldozers.

Remember the valuable work of the airport chaplains and the difficult task they have of serving people of all faiths. May they be steadfast and strong in their faith, and gracious towards those who oppose or misuse their ministry.

Our airports are the gateways to this nation; please pray for those whose work means that they are the watchmen in the gate.

Finally please pray for believers who find themselves separated from regular fellowship, not just by virtue of distance, but due to irregular working patterns, antisocial hours and the increasing pressures that result from what seems like a continual cycle of cost-cutting measures. Pray for meaningful and life changing prayer gatherings in which many will want to participate.