“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25
Elisha Hoffman served as a Union Soldier during the American Civil War. There has never been a more divided time in our country’s history than the time around the Civil War. During that terrible war, more than 2.75 million Americans took up arms to fight. They fought over slavery, state’s rights, the hope of a unified country, and whether or not our country could live up to ideals, “That all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The war was so brutal that over 620,000 soldiers were killed, many dying of complication from their wounds or disease. It remains one of the most brutal, and most costly wars in American history.
Seeing the death, disease and destruction of the war took a significant toll on the country. Those who fought and lived experienced the long-term suffering that war often brings. Alcoholism rose significantly across the country. Families were left without husbands, fathers and sons. Entire communities had disappeared. Poverty was high. The years following the Civil War were difficult for our country.
It was in these difficult years that Elisha Hoffman turned to his faith in God for support. It was in these postwar years that Elisha looked to Jesus and the followers of Jesus to find strength and support. Later, Elisha would use his wonderful gifts of writing and music to support the church and worship God. Realizing how important the love of God and the support of the family of faith is, Elisha wrote;
What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
The past year has been difficult for so many reasons. COVID-19 has affected everything. Some have experienced the struggles of health, others the trials of being a business owner during a pandemic, while others still worked through daily disruptions with school, work and family. With so many struggles, this past year was challenging, to say the least. Throughout the year, I was reminded of how we, as a people of faith, endure such hardships. We lean on the fellowship of God and God’s people. We find rest and peace when we draw close to God. Many of us found comfort in connecting to God and others (often on zoom or online) during the pandemic. Now that we are seeing the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, I want to encourage us to continue to lean on God and God’s family of faith. It is in leaning on God that we truly find the, “Joy divine.”
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
