Freelance writer and Speaker
‘Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
The fact that here are so many references in the Bible to God giving rest and peace, shows that mankind can expect trouble in this life. When people moan to me about their troubles and ‘why does God let it happen’, I try to explain that in this life we can expect trouble. The wonderful thing is that in this trouble we can find rest and peace.
‘Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in Him. Jeremiah’ 17:7
I guess that is in bad time as well as good. It can be so difficult but He knows the end from the beginning and He knows what is best for us. We just need to hang in there sometimes.
‘Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.’ Isaiah 40:31
As a sufferer of M.E. Syndrome often suffer from weakness and fatigue. This is as verse I often quote to myself. I know that I will have good times and bad, but I cling on to the thought that in heaven there will be no weakness, illness or sorrow. That is so worth remembering.
They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
Psalm 92:14
This is an appropriate text for me as this week I celebrate yet another birthday. I can definitely be described as having old age. I would love to think I am still bearing fruit. If God says I am, then I must be. Not so sure about the ‘fresh and green’ bit.
These I days I concentrate on all the things I can do and not on the things I can’t. Sometimes I think I’m still here, so God must still have work for me to do. I try to be guided more by the Holy Spirit.
‘Strive first for the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.’ Matthew 6:33
I find it easy to strive for unimportant things, things that have no value and do not last. I only I could remembered to strive after God first, then ‘all these things will be given to me as well.’ It really means turning to the Holy Spirit for help.
‘The Bible is shallow enough for children to paddle and deep enough for mature Christians to swim.’
I rather liked this description of the Bible. When I thought about it, it is so true. I remember the first children’s bible I had. I then only read the exciting stories like Moses, Samson and Gideon. Over the years I’ve been able to go deeper. Now I study it and evaluate it more.
‘Yet I am always with you. You hold me by my right hand.’ Psalm 73:23
I was listening to my gardener yesterday. He doesn’t know comfort of a Saviour who holds his hand. He is trying to cope with his considerable troubles on his own. But sadly people like him don’t want to know the Good News. And when they are told they have ears which do not hear.
Come near to God and He will come near to you. James 4:8
The more I think about God, the nearer He seems to come to me. But I have to be honest, much of the time I’m busy living life. That’s why it’s good to have a ‘quiet time’ regime. There are certain books I read and meditate on in the morning and again in the evening. The main book, of course, is the Bible. There are always new things to learn from it. So, yes, I do get nearer to God.
‘Keep straight the path of your feet and all your ways will be sure.’ Psalm 1:1
I don’t always like the modern translations, but they do make you think. Sometimes we’re so used to our favourite versions that we don’t think about the words. They say ‘familiarity breeds contempt.’ Well, not contempt, but sloppy reading. So, to keep our ways sure, we need to walk in the way of God.
Praise be to the Lord, for He has heard my cry for mercy. Psalm 28:6
It’s easier to be a Christian when all is going well. But the real test is when trouble strikes. Is our faith in God still as strong? A friend of mine, a new Christian, prayed very hard for her friends cure from cancer. God answered the pray with the cancer healed. But my friend will need to learn that sometimes God’s answer is no. That’s when faith needs to kick in.