Being one who is apt to accept the situation and take it from there, I considered.”
–Louis L’Amour (Lonely on the Mountain)
“Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!'”
–Haggai 1:5 (NKJV)
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One thing that is clearly seen in the Scriptures, and is on the lips of almost every prophet is the phrase, “Thus saith the Lord.” In these perilous times it is vital that we know what God is saying. We need to know the Word of God so we can stand on those words, “thus saith the Lord,” or as modern translations put it, “as the Lord has spoken” or “has said.” Do you know His Word well enough to be at rest in the turbulence of the times?
“‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord.’
–Louisa M.R. Stead
I find myself often sighing when I see the goings on in the world and in the nation. When I see the lies and the hatred of the media and people. One reason for the sigh is that I know in Whom I have placed my trust. My Lord will never fail me, and if worse comes to worst (death), I will be ushered into His presence. Another reason for the sigh is the grief and pity for those who live daily not knowing that Jesus is the answer to their problems and their needs.
“O, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
Just in simple faith to plunge me
‘Neath the healing, cleansing flood.
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life, and rest, and joy, and peace.”
In the midst of death that is around me, I have life. In the midst of unrest, turmoil, and rioting, I have rest and peace. In the midst of all the hatred and bitterness, I have joy. When I get away from self and turn to Jesus and keep my eyes upon Him the world is so much brighter and the toils of life so much lighter.
“I’m so glad I learn’d to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him,
How I’ve prov’d Him o’er and o’er.
Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.”
Faith is not hard, it is simply trusting Jesus. It is relying upon Him–trusting Him. He will be there in the midst of our lives. Try Him, trust Him, lean upon Him, dare to rest in Him.
The other day, Annie and I were discussing the chorus. She thought that the last phrase should be “O for faith to trust Him more.” We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8). I started to ponder that. Then I thought I might have caught a glimpse of what the author was saying. In the midst of the lies, give me grace to see and lean upon the Truth. In the midst of the hatred, give me the grace to love my enemies. In the midst of the bitterness, give me the grace to have peace and rejoice. Oh, give me the grace to not fall into the trap of the devil, but the “grace to trust Him more.”