Chuckle: Showing off his new hearing aids, Ralph said
to his wife, “This is the world’s best hearing aid. I haven’t heard this well
since I was a kid.” “What kind is it?” asked his wife. Glancing at his watch,
Ralph said, “Oh, it’s about two fifteen.”
Quote: “Never despair, But if you do, work
on in despair.” --Edmund Burke
“We are hard pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not
crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but don’t (despair) give up and
quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We are knocked down,
but we get up again and keep going” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 NLT).
To despair is to give up on life
and lose all hope for the future. There’s nothing quite as heart-breaking as
seeing a Christian brother or sister so beaten down and discouraged by the cares
of this world that they have lost all hope. The apostle Paul suffered more
terrible persecution, including physical pain, than you and I can imagine – all
because of his love, faithfulness, and loyalty to his Lord. He was able to avoid
despair and the temptation to give up because he received his strength and
positive attitude from his dependence upon God’s never ending presence and power
in his life. He said, “For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the
strength I need” (Philippians 4:13
NLT.
It’s easy for us to become
discouraged and hopeless because of the crime and chaos we observe every day in
our world. Add to that other personal hardships which we confront in life and we
have the formula for despair. But Jesus understood the troubles His followers
would endure and said: “Here on
earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have
overcome the world”
(John 16:33b NLT). We will face
troubles, pressures, and trials. As they come, ask God for strength, work on,
and don’t despair.
“During the Thirty Years' War in Europe (1618-1648), German pastor
Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as
they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and
cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture
promises about God's provision and keeping. Then, going out to the garden to be
alone, he too broke down and wept. He felt he had come to his darkest hour. Soon
afterward, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord's presence.
Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many. ‘Give to the
winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy
tears; God shall lift up thy head. Through waves and clouds and storms He gently
clears the way. Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous
day.’
It is often in our darkest times that God makes His presence known
most clearly. He uses our sufferings and troubles to show us that He is our only
source of strength. And when we see this truth, like Pastor Gerhardt, we receive
new hope. Are you facing a great trial? Take heart. Put yourself in God's hands.
Wait for His timing. He will give you a "song in the night.”
Our Daily Bread, May 7,
1992.
Love, Jerry &
Dotse
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