Dear Friends,

At Glengarrif in Ireland there is a little church where every window but one is of stained glass. The one window of clear glass looks out on a view as fair as any in this world - a lake of deepest blue studded with rhododendron covered isles and backed by ranges of purple covered hills. Many visitors from all parts of the world step inside the church and when they stand back from that window the view of the world outside seems to be actually in the glass of the window. Underneath the window is carved the inscription

"The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork"

And many of the visitors say that the most beautiful window of all in that little church is that window of clear glass - the window of God's nature is the loveliest of all.

As the harvest season comes upon us again we would surely all agree with their verdict. All around us we see the beauty and bounty of God's love for us in the face of nature. We experience once again the truth of God's covenant to us that "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter and day and night shall not cease"

All of this reminds us, if we will but see them, of three eternal truths:

1. God's Constancy to Man: It goes without saying that we are living in days of upheaval and change. So many things once thought to be secure have collapsed. Old standards and values have been swept away in a tide of evil and wickedness. So much of life seems to be in confusion and the hearts of many are full of doubts and fears. It is good therefore to be reassured and strengthened by these words of scripture so popular at our Harvest Services of Thanksgiving. These words which so positively declare the truth that behind all the created order is our God. Let us take heart and be thankful for God's constancy to us in His creation.
2. God's Care for Man: In this harvest season we see the touch of God's hand in all things bright and beautiful. In the reality of such things we are brought face to face with the God who cares for us. We are reminded that it is He who provides our daily bread. And we are reminded also that we do not live by bread alone so He has provided a wonderful Saviour for our souls. We stand in humble thankfulness before the wonder of such caring love. We stand amazed not only in our material blessings but the wonderful gift of a Saviour who gives us eternal life.
3. God's Co-operation with Man: The message of the harvest makes clear to any who seek to understand that God and man working together in harmony bring blessings through their co-operation. The farmer may plough and sow but it is God who gives the increase. And what is true in the natural sphere is true also in the spiritual sphere. How men and nations need to learn this simple but profound lesson from the harvest field. If there is to be any blessing for this world then there must be co-operation between God the creator and man the creature. There must be daily fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Let this harvest season therefore proclaim afresh to us this glorious good news. In Jesus Christ we have a God who never changes, who is ever caring and who will work with us in the harvest field of daily life. And all this so that we may know present and eternal blessings

With warmest Christian wishes.

Yours ever,

Brian McDowell