~In these very uncertain economic times, and the headlines predicting a Great Depression worse than the Great Depression....on this Sabbath, let us remember what God's word says...and cling to it as we rest in the surety and knowledge of His love and provision for us today...and everyday. Have a blessed Sabbath! ~Sue~
"In nothing be anxious" (Phil. 4:6).
No anxiety ought to be found in a believer. Great, many and varied may be our trials, our afflictions, our difficulties, and yet there should be no anxiety under any circumstances, because we have a Father in Heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His only-begotten Son, and whose very joy and delight it is to succor and help them at all times and under all circumstances. We should attend to the Word, "In nothing be anxious, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." "In everything," that is not merely when the house is on fire, not merely when the beloved wife and children are on the brink of the grave, but in the smallest matters of life, bring everything before God, the little things, the very little things, what the world calls trifling things -- everything -- living in holy communion with our Heavenly Father, arid with our precious Lord Jesus all day long. And when we awake at night, by a kind of spiritual instinct again turning to Him, and speaking to Him, bringing our various little matters before Him in the sleepless night, the difficulties in connection with the family, our trade, our profession. Whatever tries us in any way, speak to the Lord about it.
"By prayer and supplication," taking the place of beggars, with earnestness, with perseverance, going on and waiting, waiting, waiting on God. "With thanksgiving." We should at all times lay a good foundation with thanksgiving. If everything else were wanting, this is always present, that He has saved us from hell. Then, that He has given us His Holy Word -- His Son, His choicest gift -- and the Holy Spirit. Therefore we have abundant reason for thanksgiving. O let us aim at this!
"And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." And this is so great a blessing, so real a blessing, so precious a blessing, that it must be known experimentally to be entered into, for it passeth understanding. O let us lay these things to heart, and the result will be, if we habitually walk in this spirit, we shall far more abundantly glorify God, than as yet we have done. --George Mueller, in Life of Trust Twice or thrice a day, look to see if your heart is not disquieted about something; and if you find that it is, take care forthwith to restore it to calm. --Francis De Sales (from devotional 'Streams in the Desert'
3 comments:
Hi Sue,
Thank you for such powerful words. My husband was laid off over 4 months ago and it's been stressful. I feel better for reading your comments.
I know it spiritual/rationally, but emotionally, I too often forget.
When I return to the States, I'll find something to do and hopefully will be led to something that points to God's will for me.
Hugs to you for reminding me.
Joy,
Karen in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico with my Mother
karenferguson@compuserve.com
Hi, Karen! Glad you were blessed! I love the devotional 'Streams in the Desert'! God speaks to me frequently thru this pages! (sigh) my husband's contract is up in one year...it doesn't look good for our financial future....but God has proven time and again to our family that He WILL meet our needs...and he has! Will keep you in prayer! Rest and trust God's word! ~Sue~
I just wanted to say this as an encouragement and an "I understand" to Karen. My husband was out of work for 25 months---from June 2003 to July 2005. It was during that time that the Lord prompted me to begin a "thanks journal". Although I felt life was bleak and that I had nothing to give thanks for, the Lord opened my eyes to many things. In fact, as I began giving thanks in my bleak circumstances, I eventually was able to give thanks FOR them. Doing that helped me immensely. I wrote a blog post about it, if you'd be interested in reading it---called Giving Thanks in Difficult Circumstances. I did it sometime last November.
Anyhow, know that I can relate to how you are feeling. I will pray for you.
Love in Christ,
Patti
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