UPS AND DOWNS

I Was Just Thinking About – UPS AND DOWNS.

The experiences of life can affect one in a variety of ways. Usually, the big events that are challenging for one can be handled fairly well. The smaller challenges can become similar to roadblocks causing one to stumble and sometimes fall. There are a couple of verses that often come to mind when such challenges present themselves - -

Psalm 42:5,11 (NIV) – A question posed by the Psalmist: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?” The NASB wording: “Why are you in despair…so disturbed?” The Message paraphrase is: “Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?” The answer is clearly stated inwardly: “Fix my eyes on God -  soon I’ll be praising again.”

When stumbling or faltering, maybe even falling, the truth that comes to mind is Isaiah 40:30-31 (NKJV), “Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” The word that stands out for one’s life is “shall”. “Those who wait for/upon the Lord SHALL renew their strength; SHALL mount up with wings as eagles; SHALL run and not be weary; SHALL walk and not faint.”

Words of the Hymn - How Firm A Foundation - also come to mind:

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,

My Grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.

It is sad that some professing Christians can become judgmental when one is facing various “trials” and “challenging times.” A word used several times in Second Corinthians 1:3-7 is COMFORT. It is similar to the Holy Spirit’s designation as the Paraclete – “The one who comes alongside.” It is sad to realize that many who count on the “Christian” and “Church” for that encouragement and support will too often find a void and absence of such “comfort.”

I was listening on You-Tube to a sermon by a dear servant of the Lord who was going through a personal and family struggle. He isolated himself in his office and posted a sign on the door – Do NOT Disturb. An artist friend, who knew the situation, drew a picture of a Monk who struggled with personal needs in his day. The artist inscribed his drawing for his Pastor with the words penned by Martin Luther:

Did we in our own strength confide,

Our striving would be losing;

Were not the right Man on our side,

The Man of God’s own choosing:

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is He;

Lord Sabaoth, His name,

From age to age the same,

And He must win the battle.

The words ministered like the Paraclete who came alongside and uplifted the downcast servant of the Lord. I can personally relate to these words – perhaps you can as well!

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.