MY STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

 

Monday, November 9, 2026

MY STRONGHOLD IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE

Nah 1:5-7

5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.

7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

John 1:5

5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

          In the above verse the word “comprehended” is the Greek word katalambano which literally means “to catch what has been thrown.” It means that the darkness dropped the ball and did not, either by failure or refusal, lay hold on it. It would be easy for the light to blame itself for the failure, but it is the darkness that is at fault.

Matt 6:23-24

If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

          We now see that the problem of our nation is a sin problem and not a political one. The economy is in danger because of greed! The home is in shambles due to our failure to love! Our government is deadlocked due to a lust for power. The following verses seem clear enough.

Here is the problem: Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. (Isa 1:2)

And here is the result: Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

5 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.

6 From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.

7 Your country is desolate, your cities are burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence, and it is desolate, as overthrown by strangers. (Isa 1:4-7)

Here is the solution: Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (Isa 1:16-20)

What our nation needs is not another Tea Party, but a prayer meeting!

Dear Lord, make our message clear and plain. Open ears and hearts and minds to your truth. Heal our land. AMEN

 

I’VE ANCHORED MY SOUL

 

Thursday, November 5, 2026

I’VE ANCHORED MY SOUL

Heb 6:18-19

18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 

19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Ps 107:29-30

29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30 Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Henry Gilmour came to the United States from Ireland as a teenager and perhaps this is why his hymn seems best sung by a male tenor. He practiced dentistry for several years and then spent the last 25 years of his life as a gospel musician. He was a gifted soloist and was greatly respected as a choir director. “The Haven of Rest” first appeared in Sunlight Songs, published in 1890.

I used to sing it loudly as I walked from the coffee pot to my office. The fellowship hall of our church seemed perfect for singing and when empty it rang in response.

For some reason this old song often invades my sleep, and my soul sings it throughout the night as I wake from time to time. It is a great comfort to know that “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” (Psalm 107:29)

My soul in sad exile was out on life's sea,

So burdened with sin, and distressed,

Till I heard a sweet voice saying, "Make me your choice!"

And I entered the Haven of Rest.

Chorus:

I've anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest,

I'll sail the wide seas no more;

The tempest may sweep o'er the wild, stormy deep,

In Jesus I'm safe ever more.

          Is your frail craft being beaten by waves of circumstance? Whether you have foolishly set sail in winter against the advice of the seasoned sailor or whether some summer squall has caught you by surprise, know that the Master of the Sea is ready to take the wheel and speak to the wind! Set sail for His fair haven and anchor your weary soul.

Dear Lord, even salted and seasoned sailors may be overtaken by a sudden storm. Let us flee to your haven and anchor our souls. AMEN

 

THE DESERT OF WAITING

 

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

THE DESERT OF WAITING

Luke 1:80

80 And the child [John the Baptist] grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

          Zacharias prophesied regarding his son that he would be the prophet of the Highest! This was a lofty destiny for John, but when we get to verse 80, we see what we so often see in the lives of God’s chosen – we see waiting! First John had to endure time in the deserts eating locust and wild honey in solitude.

          The desert place in the life of disciples is located between seasons of ministry! Perhaps you feel that you are in a desert now. For some reason God has prepared you and polished you but has chosen to set you aside for a time you can’t yet see. Perhaps you are enduring a dry place dining on less than the best. You are anxious and you cry out to God “Let’s get this show on the road!”

          Did Moses ever wonder how long he must tend sheep in the wilderness of Midian? Did Joseph ever wonder if he would die in prison? Did David wonder while in the cave of Adulam if he would ever be King?

          It seems that God takes all of us through these times of darkness, dryness, dullness, dreariness, and dread. You are not alone, my friend. Look around and see if any of these champions left you with some words of hope scrawled on the walls! (James Ryle)

          Down time for God’s servants is either for rest from ministry done or preparation for ministry yet to come. The reward comes later and that reward is sure. If you are in the desert of waiting, rest and prepare yourself for what God has ahead.

Dear Lord, sometimes the desert convinces us that you are done with us. Help us to wait patiently for your direction. AMEN

 

IT IS ONLY A VALLEY

 

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

IT IS ONLY A VALLEY

Ps 23:4

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

          In the Valley, keep moving! The Valley is a way, not a destination. It is important to know that there is an exit at the other side. Keep moving forward.

          In the Valley, keep trusting! The same shepherd that led you this far will lead you on. Focus on the shepherd and watch his every move. Listen carefully to His voice.

          In the Valley, keep your focus on the Shepherd. He knows the way and is aware of the pitfalls. He is equipped with tools to both guide you and protect you.

Dear Shepherd of my soul, let me stay close to you in the valley. AMEN

 

A SETTLED REBELLION

 

Monday, November 2, 2026

A SETTLED REBELLION

Heb 3:12-13

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Heb 3:13

13 But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him]. AMPLIFIED

          The Greek word which is translated “hardened” in verse 13 is skleruno and it means: “to render stubborn.” This obstinacy is derived from “an evil heart of unbelief” which the original language explains is due to a “degeneracy from original virtue.”

          Rebellion, such as the rebellion of Absalom against his father David, seems to have a righteous basis. Absalom, through wicked strategy and trickery, stole the hearts of King David’s people. He promised them a more sympathetic leader, and the result was that David had to flee his kingdom while Absalom partied on the rooftop! The delusive glamour of sin had played a trick on him and the success of his venture convinced him that he was right. Let me remind you that sin is fraudulent! 

          The ensuing war between David and his son cost Absalom his life even though David demanded that none touch Absalom. He was tangled by his lovely locks in a tree and his mule walked away from him leaving him dangling from an oak. He was an easy target for Joab who knew that to let Absalom live would only allow the rebellion to continue. Joab shot him through with three arrows! (See 2 Samuel 18:14) There is hope for the rebel and even hope that his rebellion may be turned, but a settled rebellion such as that to which Absalom clung is fatal.

Heb 3:12

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Dear Lord, help me to guard my heart against offenses and rebellion. Let me make peace quickly and make good use of your grace. AMEN

 

PEELED GRAPES

 

Sunday, November 1, 2026

PEELED GRAPES

1 John 4:1

4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

          In our text above, the word “spirit” is the Greek pneuma and one of the meanings of that word is “the human mental disposition.” So, with that meaning as the foundation, we should be wary of the opinions and mental dispositions of others.

          My high school civics teacher was an androgynous young man who rode a multi-geared racing bicycle to work and parked it in the back of the classroom. His blond hair was a bit over long but not for the mid 60’s. He avoided the school cafeteria and brought his lunch in what might be called Tupperware. I remember the peeled grapes and pondered how long it might have taken him to peel each grape for the next day’s lunch.

          In that questioning time during the Vietnam war, he gathered a few disciples around his desk during the lunch break to discuss current events and philosophy. I remember a tall, male, drum major, a trumpet-playing redhead whom I dated once but only once, and a dark-haired girl who wanted to be a Nun. It was worth carrying your lunch to school just to be part of this group.

          Of all the things Mr. Peepers (because he looked like him) taught us, I remember one thing clearly. He challenged us to always ask: “According to whom?” Everyone has an opinion, but we should be cautious in our listening and even more careful in making those opinions our own.

1 John 5:20

20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Dear Lord, help me to question opinions without being a rebel. Remind me to measure each opinion and disposition against the authority of Scripture. AMEN

 

FEAR NOT

 

Saturday, October 31, 2026

 

FEAR NOT

Gen_15:1  After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

          Ah, Halloween, my least favorite “holiday.” Oh, I like candy well enough, but this day is dedicated to fear and that is not what the Bible is all about. In fact, in the KJV, there are 144 verses containing 331 instances of “fear not.”

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

1John_4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

          Why “Fear Not” Matters. According to Scripture, “fear not” is not just a command but a revelation of God’s heart — He draws us near in love, not to terrify us, but to assure us of His protection and guidance. Greg Mauro's Blog

How firm a foundation verse 2

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,

For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”

Dear Lord, let my confidence in You be my exit from fear. AMEN

 

THE INFLEXIBLE WORD

 

Friday, October 30, 2026

THE INFLEXIBLE WORD

2 Tim 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Matt 5:17-18

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

          Inflexibility has fallen out of favor with modern thought. The great mantra of our culture is tolerance for divergent thought. But Jesus describes the Bible as  inflexible.

          A jot is the Greek letter iota which is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet and Jesus used it to describe the dot above the “I” or the period at the end of a sentence. The tittle is the Greek keraia and refers to “something horn-like.” Jesus used it to refer to the accent marks which served for vowels in the Hebrew language. “It is the same as saying everything else may change; the very earth and heaven may pass away, but the law of God shall not be destroyed until its whole design has been accomplished.”(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

          Because we don’t speak either Hebrew or Greek, the originally written Bible has been translated into many languages. I suspect that both jots and tittles have been changed in the process but the force of the truth and of the written Bible remains inflexible in its teachings. Right has not suddenly become wrong and wrong has not gradually become acceptable because of enlightened human culture and thought. 

          The Bible must remain rigid because it is the pier and beam upon which our entire faith is founded. It is not our position but our disposition that must remain tender and flexible.

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Dear Lord, let me be inflexible when teaching Bible truths but tender toward those who are enslaved by sin. AMEN

 

MY LIFE AS A PRAYER

 

Thursday, October 29, 2026

MY LIFE AS A PRAYER

1 Thess 5:17

17 Pray without ceasing.

The short verse above seems intrusive if not impossible. How can I pray constantly without stopping? I have a life to live after all! These might be the thoughts of one who does not realize that life itself should be a prayer unto God. Every moment of every day should be spent in constant contact with the God of Heaven.

Our first thought in the morning should include God. Our first impulse should be to worship. When our morning prayer is done and the “amen” is said we should not think our prayer is finished. Let me suggest several areas in which we should pray all day.

1. MY MIND!

Ps 19:14

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

 

2 Cor 10:4-5

4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

2. MY MOUTH!

 

Eph 4:29

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

 

Let our speech be free from profanity, from contempt of God, from ridiculing serious things. Our words should build up and not tear down.

 

3. MY SELF!

 

Rom 12:3

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

 

Henry Ward Beecher said: “The prouder a man is, the more he thinks he deserves; and the more he thinks he deserves; the less he really does deserve. A proud man – the whole world is not big enough to serve him.”

 

4. MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS!

 

Matt 10:8

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

 

Rom 12:10

10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

 

We should ask God to keep us honorable and generous in our dealings with others.

 

5. MY DESTINY!

 

1 Peter 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

 

My spiritual inheritance is on deposit with God in the bank of heaven. Let me think of this all day long.

 

Dear Lord, let me live this day as a prayer unto you. Place a guard on my mind, my mouth and myself. Let my relationship with others be honorable and benevolent. Comfort and encourage me with the knowledge that my life is hid with you and my reward is in heaven. AMEN

 

HE IS MY ROCK

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

HE IS MY  ROCK

Ps 18:2

2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

          Because we are a fallen and willful people, life is full of trouble and disappointment. When the pressures of a sin-cursed world weigh heavily upon us there are some things we should remember. Remember first that many of the battles we fight are in our own mind.

Ps 19:14

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

          Remember next to be temperate, balanced and truthful in our dealings with others. Don’t make a bad situation worse with your responses.

Eph 4:28-29

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

          Never forget the eternal destiny of the believer is Heaven and that all the things that plague us now will be ended. All that is wrong shall be judged and ultimately punished. Injustice will not prevail and all that is dirty will be made clean.

1 Peter 1:3-7

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

THE SOLID ROCK

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

 

Dear Lord! I can endure this knowing that you are my Solid Rock. AMEN