Are Things Looking Kind of Bleak?
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Rom. 8:28
I can’t remember a time in my life when so many of my friends and family members have experienced so many “trials and tribulations.” Scripture reminds us that in the last days the intensity of our pain and suffering will increase (2 Tim. 3:1). And so it is. Things can look pretty bleak. I’m sure glad we have the presence of the Holy Spirit and God’s written Word to comfort us.
The following poem was preached at New Heights Church in Vancouver, Washington and is a beautiful reminder of our true reality. May it be an encouragement to you:
God, I may fall flat on my face;
I may fail until I feel old and beaten and done in.
Yet—Your love for me is changeless.
All the music may go out of my life,
My private world may shatter to dust.
Even so, You will hold me in the palm of Your steady hand.
No turn in the affairs of my fractured life can baffle You.
Satan with all his braggadocio cannot distract You.
Nothing can separate me from Your measureless love—
Pain can’t, disappointment can’t, anguish can’t.
Yesterday, today, tomorrow can’t.
The loss of my dearest love can’t.
Death can’t. Life can’t.
Riots, war, insanity, un-identity, hunger, neurosis, disease —
None of these things nor all of them heaped together
Can budge the fact that I am dearly loved,
Completely forgiven, and forever free through Jesus
Christ Your beloved Son.
While the winds of destruction and despair blow all around us, let us keep our eyes fixed on our One true hope, our Deliverer—the One who will never leave us: Jesus Christ.
The Power of Truth:
- “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39
Suggestion for Prayer:
If things are looking pretty bleak from where you stand, ask the Holy Spirit to comfort you. Thank God that He promises to never leave you… no matter what your circumstances.