Autumn has arrived. In the middle of last week, the late summer sunshine gave way to rain, wind and low temperatures. At this time of year the arrival of autumn usually brings with it the celebration of Harvest. In a year where nothing is as it should be, there will be no special service, no harvest display and no shared meal in our church. With the national and international news full of the relentless spread of COVID-19, the traditional ways of celebrating God's goodness must be set aside.
In the musical version of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds, a journalist reflects on the invasion of earth by Martians. Many lives were lost in the war. The post-invasion world proves harsh and inhospitable for humans. The journalist sings of a world that is 'forever autumn' with no hope of change with the coming of spring.
H.G. Wells' story has a hopeful conclusion. The Martian takeover of planet earth comes to an end when the invaders are struck by a virus. Human beings are unaffected but the Martians are wiped out due to their lack of immunity to the pathogen. In due course, earth's people are able to rebuild their lives. The interminable autumn described by the journalist ceases and a new season begins. In the words of the author, the invaders were 'slain, after all man's devices have failed, by the humblest things that God, in his wisdom, has put upon this earth.'
In the midst of all that surrounds us this harvest time, we know that God will not abandon the created world. With the Psalmist, we look upwards to the One that made all things in hope and in trust.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121
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