The following words are from one of my favorite hymns. They should give comfort and encouragement to faithful children of God.
“In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear, and safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here. The storm may roar about me, my heart may low be laid, but God is ’round about me, and can I be dismayed?
“Wherever He may guide me, no want shall turn me back; my Shepherd is beside me, and nothing can I lack; His wisdom is forever, His sight is never dim; His will forms each endeavor, and I will walk with Him.
Green pastures are before me which yet I have not seen; bright skies will soon be o’er me, where the dark clouds have been. My life I cannot measure, the path of life is free; my Savior has my treasure, and He will walk with me.”
“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” II Corinthians 4:17
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalms 30:5
There are many times throughout our lives we become discouraged. Our country is media saturated, and if we dwell on too many of the stories from social media, TV and radio, we can begin to believe there is no redeeming value in mankind, and that all about us is trouble everywhere. Remember, media wants to get our attention, and bad news sells. The faithful child of God should never be afraid, and should be secure in the knowledge that as His child, our feet are on solid footing, and grounded in His Word.
“Surely he shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.” Psalm 112:6-8
“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. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9
The heart of a faithful child of God should be ever cheerful and optimistic, for indeed we have every reason to be. There is nothing that can happen to us that He is not there to help us in our journey, comforting us every step of the way.
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
But we must not lose heart! God continues to shelter and shield His children, if we would only accept His refuge and His goodness So, in the poetic wording of David, let us pray: “Keep me as the apple of the eye; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings” (Psalm 17:8) and let us sing.” ~ Leroy Brownlow
Eileen Light