Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Judges 19-21
Judges 21:24
And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance.
Tears just about sprinkle the keyboard of this writer over the events of the last three chapters of the book of Judges. That’s overly dramatic, but it paints a picture, doesn’t it? These last three chapters of Judges are perhaps the most depressing in the entirety of Scripture. There is just nothing good in them. But, you know, this is where we all are at from time to time. Seasons of life when nothing good seems to happen. Difficulties of all types arise from every direction. Sad times, hard times, times when nothing makes sense. So, what is a child of God to do in those kinds of days?
We do that which King David did. We encourage ourselves in the Lord. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. I Samuel 30:6 But how?
For me, I write.
When trouble comes and hard times hit
And it seems all hope is gone.
Go to the One who gives you faith,
So see the battle won.
It’s Him, It’s Him that gives us faith,
To walk the fires through.
So go to Him dear child of God
For Jesus lives in you.
Or perhaps sing my song.
I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
Or get alone with Him and pray, pray, and pray some more.
I’ve prayed many prayers when no answer came,
Though I’ve waited patiently and long.
But the answers have come to enough of my prayers,
To make me want to pray on! (author unknown)
Or spend time outside enjoying the amazing creation of God.
These are things I do, your list may be different, but make no doubt, there will be days that all you can do is…well live out this little credo that God gave me in one of the darkest days of my life.
Yesterday is over,
Tomorrow may never come,
Today is the only day that counts
When all of life is done.
So, go live today! Shake it off, put it under the blood, and keep your eye on the Eastern sky. Even as Paul wrote in Romans 13:11, I leave with you. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Dr. William T. Howe
Comments