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Musings on Faith #52 Born of the Spirit | |
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There is more going on in our Country and the world today than at any previous time in my sixty years here on earth. And much of it is either upsetting or frightening. The Scriptures tell us how to deal with such times as these, many times and in many places. Here’s some good advice for all of us to follow: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’. So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’ (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV, quoting, in part, Deuteronomy 31:6 & Psalm 118:6-7)." And "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34, KJV)." Is there not great comfort, as well as great wisdom, in these verses, especially in these present times? "Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalm 27:13-14, KJV)." What is God telling us in these verses? He is telling us not to fear, but to have courage. Not just any courage, but that courage borne of the Spirit that is within us through Him, knowing that He is with us always, and that He will never leave us to bear the weight of our burdens alone. These are things which are always good for us to remember, but especially so now, with so much political and |
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economic uncertainty swirling around us. As Psalm 55:22(a) tells us, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee (KJV)." I am reminded of the old hymn which says "What a friend we have in Jesus"! And Isaiah, who foretold Christ’s coming four hundred years earlier, goes even further. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31, KJV)." In other words, He will lift us up as with angel wings, so that we shall not fall. No matter how old, or afflicted in joints we may be in our physical body, He will help us, when we are attentive to him, to soar, even in the face of adversity! Do you feel better, even now, just knowing these things? Do you feel lighter in your step and in your spirit, knowing that God’s Spirit is lifting you and allowing you to pass through that dark valley with wings as eagles? Just knowing these things makes the evil of the day seem distant and small, doesn’t it? "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8, KJV)." Yours in Christ, Tom Woodard |
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