Years are terrible things, an’ for years you’ve been bound. Habit of years is strong as life itself.”
–Zane Grey (Riders of the Purple Sage)
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved… But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.”
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved… But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed.”
–Acts 27:20,22 (NIV)
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One month is already gone! I don’t know what kind of situation you may find yourself in right now. It may be one of despair or trouble. However the type of issue or circumstance, we have a choice we can make. Perhaps you are feeling guilty because of sin–there is a choice, stay and wallow in your sin and guilt, or choose to lift your hand to the Savior. He will forgive and bring you into His rest.
“My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea,
So burdened with sin and distress,
Till I heard a sweet voice saying, ‘Make me your choice,’
And I entered the haven of rest.”
–Henry L. Gilmour
One of the first things that we must do upon accepting the Lord after that initial response is to yield ourselves. Yield ourselves to His embrace, ah, the sweetness of His arms wrapped around us. When He takes hold of us the “fetters” do fall off. When we reach out in faith, He responds in love and grace.
“I yielded myself to His tender embrace,
And, faith taking hold of the Word,
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul:
The Haven of Rest is my Lord.”
We are to “grow in grace,” that means we take hold of His Word. No matter the circumstances we have His Word and the promises that lay within. Life can be tough and filled with woe and suffering, but realize that the Lord is there with you. Reach out to Him; don’t try to go the way alone for it is too troublesome, rough, and wearisome.
“The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,
Has been the old story so blest,
Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have
A home in the Haven of Rest.”
This is not only true for eternity, but for the present. In the midst of the raging storms of life we can have rest in Him. When the fierceness of the battle is upon us, and we can no longer seem to stand, we can have rest in Him. When the pain grips us, and we grit our teeth because of it, that is the time to go to Him and find rest. There is rest in Jesus.
“Oh, come to the Saviour, He patiently waits,
To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the Haven of Rest,
And say, ‘My Beloved is mine.’
I’ve anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest,
I’ll sail the wild seas no more;
The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep,
In Jesus I’m safe evermore.”
Tis so sweet to be able to trust in the Lord in the midst of the storm. I can imagine the waves tossing us to and fro, the billows rising higher and higher. However, our anchor will hold firm in the Haven of Rest. We’ll be safe in the midst of the storm; He’ll hold us and carry us through even if it is through the valley of the shadow of death. No storm is too great for Him. Trust in Him, no matter the situation, hold on to Him, for He will be holding on to you.
——————————
One month is already gone! I don’t know what kind of situation you may find yourself in right now. It may be one of despair or trouble. However the type of issue or circumstance, we have a choice we can make. Perhaps you are feeling guilty because of sin–there is a choice, stay and wallow in your sin and guilt, or choose to lift your hand to the Savior. He will forgive and bring you into His rest.
“My soul in sad exile was out on life’s sea,
So burdened with sin and distress,
Till I heard a sweet voice saying, ‘Make me your choice,’
And I entered the haven of rest.”
–Henry L. Gilmour
One of the first things that we must do upon accepting the Lord after that initial response is to yield ourselves. Yield ourselves to His embrace, ah, the sweetness of His arms wrapped around us. When He takes hold of us the “fetters” do fall off. When we reach out in faith, He responds in love and grace.
“I yielded myself to His tender embrace,
And, faith taking hold of the Word,
My fetters fell off, and I anchored my soul:
The Haven of Rest is my Lord.”
We are to “grow in grace,” that means we take hold of His Word. No matter the circumstances we have His Word and the promises that lay within. Life can be tough and filled with woe and suffering, but realize that the Lord is there with you. Reach out to Him; don’t try to go the way alone for it is too troublesome, rough, and wearisome.
“The song of my soul, since the Lord made me whole,
Has been the old story so blest,
Of Jesus, who’ll save whosoever will have
A home in the Haven of Rest.”
This is not only true for eternity, but for the present. In the midst of the raging storms of life we can have rest in Him. When the fierceness of the battle is upon us, and we can no longer seem to stand, we can have rest in Him. When the pain grips us, and we grit our teeth because of it, that is the time to go to Him and find rest. There is rest in Jesus.
“Oh, come to the Saviour, He patiently waits,
To save by His power divine;
Come, anchor your soul in the Haven of Rest,
And say, ‘My Beloved is mine.’
I’ve anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest,
I’ll sail the wild seas no more;
The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep,
In Jesus I’m safe evermore.”
Tis so sweet to be able to trust in the Lord in the midst of the storm. I can imagine the waves tossing us to and fro, the billows rising higher and higher. However, our anchor will hold firm in the Haven of Rest. We’ll be safe in the midst of the storm; He’ll hold us and carry us through even if it is through the valley of the shadow of death. No storm is too great for Him. Trust in Him, no matter the situation, hold on to Him, for He will be holding on to you.