Even during our darkest moments, we are not alone.”
–John Deacon (Final Justice)
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
–Psalm 118:6 (NKJV)
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I thought of this grand old hymn when I wrote yesterday’s Echo. It is one of my favorites and it goes right along with the thoughts of yesterday. The composer is unknown and the first known publishing of the hymn was in 1895. In thinking of the first verse, I remember the incident in my life from which I became terribly afraid of lightning and thunderstorms. When those storms would come it seemed as if they were going to shake the house apart. Then I thought of the storms–the lightning bolts and rattling of the devil trying, note that, trying to conquer my soul. When I came to realize that the Lord was with me in every storm and tempest in life, I no longer feared the lightning and thunder, but instead rather relished the power of God being displayed.
I’ve seen the lightning flashing, And heard the thunder roll;
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, Trying to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, Telling me still to fight on;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.
As we move along this trek of life there are all kinds of obstacles that we must face, go around, or go over. We weren’t promised an easy way. In fact, it is because of the obstacles that we grow spiritual muscles. Not only our spiritual muscles, but trust, faith, and courage grow as well. Paul reminds us that when we have done all to stand, continue to stand (Ephesians 6:13). There was a great book out several years back titled, The Winds of War. That makes a great analogy for the life of the believer. The winds of adversity come; the temptations are sharp and jagged. However! Let me repeat that, however, Christ our Lord is there standing beside us. When no one else is around, or when no one else seems to care–He is there!
The world’s fierce winds are blowing Temptations sharp and keen;
I feel a peace in knowing My Savior stands between;
He stands to shield me from danger, When earthly friends are gone;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.
The old missionary Charles Greenaway used to say, “we’re going to make it.” We may not look like much when we cross into the portals of glory. Scars and wounds may cover the body, fatigue and weariness may have set in, but guess what? Because of Jesus, we’re going to make it. Sometimes in the journey of life it is hard to lift one foot to take another step. The legs are feeble, the arms are tired, the burden is heavy to bear. Sometimes the briars snatch at our feet, or we get too close to the jumping cholla. It is then we should hearken to the words of the writer of Hebrews, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet… I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 12:12-13; 13:5, NKJV)
When in affliction’s valley I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry My cross when heavy to bear;
My feet, entangled with briars Ready to cast me down,
My Savior whispers His promise, “I never will leave thee alone.”
Oh, the suffering He went through for you and me. The pain and agony His body and soul felt upon the cross for you and me. On that cruel tree, He became sin, He felt the presence of His Father leave Him, He was alone, the imps of the pit laughing and mocking Him. He did that for you and me–to purchase our redemption with His precious blood (1 Peter 1:19) Now, He is seated on the heavenly throne, waiting for us to come to Him by death, or He will rise to gather us in the air. Either way He is with us, and while on this journey of life we have the blessed Holy Spirit to guide us, to show us the way to glory.
He died for me on the mountain, For me they pierced His side;
For me He opened the fountain, The crimson, cleansing tide;
For me He’s waiting in glory, Seated upon His throne;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.
—————————–
I thought of this grand old hymn when I wrote yesterday’s Echo. It is one of my favorites and it goes right along with the thoughts of yesterday. The composer is unknown and the first known publishing of the hymn was in 1895. In thinking of the first verse, I remember the incident in my life from which I became terribly afraid of lightning and thunderstorms. When those storms would come it seemed as if they were going to shake the house apart. Then I thought of the storms–the lightning bolts and rattling of the devil trying, note that, trying to conquer my soul. When I came to realize that the Lord was with me in every storm and tempest in life, I no longer feared the lightning and thunder, but instead rather relished the power of God being displayed.
I’ve seen the lightning flashing, And heard the thunder roll;
I’ve felt sin’s breakers dashing, Trying to conquer my soul;
I’ve heard the voice of my Savior, Telling me still to fight on;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.
As we move along this trek of life there are all kinds of obstacles that we must face, go around, or go over. We weren’t promised an easy way. In fact, it is because of the obstacles that we grow spiritual muscles. Not only our spiritual muscles, but trust, faith, and courage grow as well. Paul reminds us that when we have done all to stand, continue to stand (Ephesians 6:13). There was a great book out several years back titled, The Winds of War. That makes a great analogy for the life of the believer. The winds of adversity come; the temptations are sharp and jagged. However! Let me repeat that, however, Christ our Lord is there standing beside us. When no one else is around, or when no one else seems to care–He is there!
The world’s fierce winds are blowing Temptations sharp and keen;
I feel a peace in knowing My Savior stands between;
He stands to shield me from danger, When earthly friends are gone;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.
The old missionary Charles Greenaway used to say, “we’re going to make it.” We may not look like much when we cross into the portals of glory. Scars and wounds may cover the body, fatigue and weariness may have set in, but guess what? Because of Jesus, we’re going to make it. Sometimes in the journey of life it is hard to lift one foot to take another step. The legs are feeble, the arms are tired, the burden is heavy to bear. Sometimes the briars snatch at our feet, or we get too close to the jumping cholla. It is then we should hearken to the words of the writer of Hebrews, “Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet… I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 12:12-13; 13:5, NKJV)
When in affliction’s valley I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry My cross when heavy to bear;
My feet, entangled with briars Ready to cast me down,
My Savior whispers His promise, “I never will leave thee alone.”
Oh, the suffering He went through for you and me. The pain and agony His body and soul felt upon the cross for you and me. On that cruel tree, He became sin, He felt the presence of His Father leave Him, He was alone, the imps of the pit laughing and mocking Him. He did that for you and me–to purchase our redemption with His precious blood (1 Peter 1:19) Now, He is seated on the heavenly throne, waiting for us to come to Him by death, or He will rise to gather us in the air. Either way He is with us, and while on this journey of life we have the blessed Holy Spirit to guide us, to show us the way to glory.
He died for me on the mountain, For me they pierced His side;
For me He opened the fountain, The crimson, cleansing tide;
For me He’s waiting in glory, Seated upon His throne;
He promised never to leave me, Never to leave me alone.