Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Have you ever met anyone who seemed to have been born in the negative case and kickative mood? Who, if their bed had a right side, always seemed to manage to stumble out on the opposite one? Who, when you asked them how they were doing, would really feel it necessary to tell you by reciting a list of all the things that had gone wrong in their life; all the way back to the day of their birth? Perhaps the same person acted as if they felt God had given them a divine appointment to judge and criticise all the inferior beings with which they were surrounded. In addition, they seemed to feel commissioned to make sure everyone measured up to the standard they imagined they met. The sort of person you wanted to ask, "Who appointed you God, anyway?"

Before we judge too harshly, let's consider the story of the griping and complaining Israelites. They came as a mixed multitude through the very jaws of death. Then one day they stood on the brink of destruction on the shore of the Red Sea. There was no way back. They could see the flash of sunlight on their enemies’ weapons and hear the harsh cries of the cruel, battle-hardened warriors in the Pharaoh's terrible war chariots. Their slaughter was more than imminently certain. It was at this pivotal point of their journey that God had Moses to cry out these immortal and awe inspiring words, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord..."

What a tremendous lesson and experience God gave them that day! But it didn't seem to last. Israel's constant problem seemed to be their inability to stand still long enough to truly remember the salvation of the Lord. They couldn't stand still enough, in all their whining and griping, to catch the cry of the still small voice of God as He spoke peace to their hearts. In spite of the continuing great victories He gave them, they continued to wander aimlessly and faithlessly to their self-destruction, murmuring and complaining all the way. This murmuring demonstrated a complete lack of faith and trust. This is especially true when considered against the background of the many times God had proven His faithfulness by miraculously providing all their needs in every situation. In the end their murmuring and faithlessness precipitated the judgement and severe chastisement of a loving Father.

It is against this background in the Hebrew letter that God urges a faith-rest life upon His people. The sort of life He wishes all His people in every age to live. He wishes us to know we can rest in Him no matter what the circumstance. That we can have utter faith and confidence in His provision, no matter what the conditions. That even though all others may desert us in our time of trial and trouble, He will never leave us or forsake us. That even though our fair-weather friends may fail us in our frailty and fall by the wayside, He will uphold us with His strong right hand. "Great is Thy faithfulness.."

The Power Of Three Little Words

Some of the most significant messages people deliver to one another often come in just three words. When spoken or conveyed, those statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled.  The following three word phrases can enrich every relationship:

I'LL BE THERE - Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and to us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. 'Being there' is at the very, very core of civility.

I MISS YOU - Perhaps more marriages could be salvaged and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other, "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved.

I RESPECT YOU - Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. It is a powerful way to affirm the importance of a relationship.

MAYBE YOU'RE RIGHT - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side of "maybe you're
right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong."

PLEASE FORGIVE ME - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A man should never be ashamed to own up to he has been in the wrong, which is by saying, in other words, that he is wiser today than he was yesterday.

I THANK YOU - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

COUNT ON ME - "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out." "Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue
that bonds people. Those who are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there,
indicating "you can count on me."

LET ME HELP - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they  spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they
pitch in and help.

I UNDERSTAND YOU - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that you understand him or her is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship.

GO FOR IT - Some of your friends may be nonconformists, have unique projects and unusual hobbies. Support them in pursuing their interests. Rather than urging your loved ones to conform, encourage their uniqueness - everyone has dreams that no one else has.

I suppose the 3 little words that you were expecting to see have to be reserved for those who are special; that is I LOVE YOU.
-- Author Unknown 

The Home Going

II Timothy Chapter Four

Have you ever been betrayed? Let down?  Have you ever had someone who was near and dear to you turn their back upon you when the going got rough? Have you ever had those you may have invested your life in, suddenly seem to say they no longer wished to walk alongside you? When the storms of life have blown against you, have you even been deserted by a disloyal, fair-weather friend?

If so, you perhaps can sense the hurt, disappointment and heartache Paul must have felt as He wrote the young pastor, Timothy. He tells him that his missionary companion, Demas, has forsaken him because he loved this present world more than the world to come. He speaks of standing before the court alone at his first hearing. All men had forsakenhim. The venerable and grey-haired apostle stands alone at the end of a selfless life of unimaginable persecution, torture, sacrifice and hardship. He awaits the cruel executioner’s axe. At this critical moment it seems that  those he had led to the Lord, labored with had fled in fright.  Only the powerful and all sufficient presence of the Lord Jesus Christ is with him.

When I read Paul’s closing words to his young friend, I am reminded of the story of a missionary of an earlier era returning by ship from the mission field. Following is my version of the story:    He had spent his life there. He had suffered slings and arrows and terrible deprivation in order to give the gospel to those who had not heard. His beloved wife and dear children had fallen on the field, victims of pestilence and plague, and now lay buried in a faraway land.

Now, with his health broken and his frame bent, the veteran missionary totters down the gang plank of the ship. As he makes his way down, he is thrilled to hear the playing of a band and the shouts and applause of a great crowd. He smiles slightly and wonders if it could be possible that his mission supporters have turned out in such numbers to welcome him home. His smile fades to a frown as he realizes the tumultuous welcome is for a famous star who is returning from a triumphant tour.

With great difficulty he hails a taxi and takes his tattered trunks filled with a few meagre, well- worn possessions, to a nearby flea-bag hotel. This is all he can possibly afford. As he throws himself across a lumpy mattress, the hot air of the dank and musty room presses in upon him. He lies there with his body wracked with great sobs of bitter disappointment. Not one single person has come to welcome him or witness his homecoming.

Lying on the lumpy mattress, looking up at the dingy ceiling, he cries out of the depths of his human despair to the Savior he has served all these years. “Why have I sacrificed my loved ones and my life for such uncaring and ungrateful people as these? Don’t they know the price I’ve paid? Does no one care enough even to give me a decent welcome home?” As he sobs broken-heartedly, his mind groping for an answer, alone in the desolate darkness, a still small voice seems to fill his heart and mind and these words seem to echo from the walls of that tiny room, “My son, you’re not home yet!”