LightGrams
August 3, 2017
Volume 21, Number 26
News about a judge retiring from the bench doesn’t usually generate headlines around the country. But Milton Shadur isn’t your typical judge. After nearly four decades of issuing rulings in hundreds of cases, Shadur will retire – at age 93.
One fellow judge called Mr. Shadur “simply a legend”. He graduated from the University of Chicago at age 18 with degrees in math and physics before serving in World War 2. President Jimmy Carter appointed him to U.S. District Court in 1980. Shadur hadn’t planned to retire, the article via Associated Press reported, but complications from recent surgery led him to this decision.
It’s sad to see someone who has been an effective servant step down from their duties. Each of us have had a favorite President, governor, or other leader that we admired. The time came, however, when they had to retire, either because of age or term limits. “Oh how we wish **** could lead us again!” we often think. But it cannot be.
The passing of legends is described in Scripture. Jacob had not lived long in Egypt before his death, but his son, Joseph, had become legendary in his plans for the nation to survive the 7-year famine. When Jacob died, “the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days” (Genesis 50:3). Moses, who led the descendants of Jacob out of Egypt, died at the age of 120, “and the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days” (Deuteronomy 34:8).
What if that were to happen with the one who has led us out of captivity? The one who has led us toward our Promised Land, and has provided for our needs every day? What if God were to announce His retirement? Or could it possibly be true, as Friedrich Nietzsche said in 1882, that “God is dead”? What would we do then?
Thankfully we don’t have to ponder such scenarios. Moses stated the truth about God in an eloquent way: “Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations … from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:1,2). Jeremiah wrote this: “You, O Lord, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation” (Lamentations 5:19). How good it is to know that God’s throne will remain forever!
But even if God is on His throne, could it be that His abilities might be diminished? He was once great and powerful, no doubt. But what about now? Hear what God said in Malachi 3:6: “For I am the Lord, I do not change.” God was omnipotent in the days of Moses; His power is the same today.
The same can be said of God’s Son: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). What a difference it makes to be in the Kingdom of God!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2017, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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