WEARING DOWN!

 

Friday, May 29, 2026

 

WEARING DOWN!

 

Dan 7:24-25

24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

 

Rev 6:9-10

9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

          In the midst of his prophecy, Daniel describes the “wearing down” of the saints. The Hebrew word means “to afflict.” If you will pause for a moment for a self-check, you might notice a few ragged edges around your soul.

 

          Lately I have been in an unacceptable mood. I am trying to learn to keep my mouth shut when this happens but often people will notice my silence and try to draw me out. The simple truth is that I don’t specifically know what the problem is. It’s just everything! Wickedness in the political world, pressure from the marketplace with prices skyrocketing, disillusionment with others and disappointment with myself. It’s just everything more than anything! Believers will find this world to be a progressively unfriendly place because our citizenship is in heaven (Hebrews 13:14).

 

Gal 6:17

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

 

          Paul ended his epistle to the Galatians with an appeal to simply be left alone. The Greek word which is translated “trouble” means “to cut.” Paul had been worn down. Adam Clarke puts it this way: “Let me be grieved no longer with your defections from the truth.” What do we do when we feel the “cut” of a world that rejects our God and us in the bargain? We flee to the Rock!

 

Ps 61:2

2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

 

Sometimes I feel discouraged
And I think my works in vain
I'm tempted oft to murmur
To grumble and complain
Oh...but then I think of Jesus
And all he's done for me
Then I cry
Oh...rock of ages
Hide thou me

 

Dear Lord, be my Rock today. AMEN

 

THERE IS A RIVER!

 

Thursday, May 28, 2026

 

THERE IS A RIVER!

 

Ps 46:4

4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

 

Rev 22:1-3

22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

 

          What John saw in Revelation chapter 22, Ezekiel also recorded in his 47^th chapter. An angelic guide gave Ezekiel a grand tour of the city of God and the river which issued from under the threshold is a prominent feature. To the people of the arid region of Israel water is a great treasure. The character of this river is pure, clear as crystal, and it may be enjoyed as much as needed.

 

          This river is emblematic of God’s peace. While the sea rages and casts up mire and flotsam this river is still and deep. The mind can imagine a resting place with cool green grassy banks upon which to lounge unmolested by any trouble. He leads us beside the still waters and makes us lie down in this green grass. This river is the peace of God’s fulfilled purpose. Every puzzle piece is securely in place and there is no question that languishes without an answer. This kind of peace is not to be found in this world except in brief moments.

 

          It is this kind of peace, a river of peace, which believers look forward to. We are going to that city. Here the heathen rage and mobs rant and violence fills the streets. Unsatisfied men wound and kill each other, but they are unsatisfied still. On that peaceful shore there is no want or need that has not been bountifully fulfilled. There the soul rests by the river. There the nations are healed by the medicine of the leaves of the trees.

 

2 Thess 1:7

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

 

Dear Lord, give your own peace to those who are troubled today. May they enjoy peace like a river. AMEN

 

I JUST CAN’T BE GOOD!

 

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

 

I JUST CAN’T BE GOOD!

 

Rom 7:18-20

18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

 

          Paul was having a problem with Paul. He masterfully describes the conflict of the two natures. The spiritual nature has a deep desire to do good while the flesh struggles to maintain a lifestyle of sensuality and pleasure. In verse 18 he describes how goodness has eluded him. He admits to personal defeat in the matter.

 

          Paul gives voice to the cry of every believer: “How can I stop doing bad things?” Even in the midst of doing good, Paul found that evil was right there with him waiting for an opportunity to take control. The believer under Law grows tired and discouraged because he is trying to do the impossible. Paul screams: “Who shall deliver me?” Then he answers his own question in verse 25. Now the grace of our Lord has appeared.

 

Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

 

Dear Savior, I know that in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. I do not have the personal power to be good or to do good. Every time I think I have reached the mark I look to see that it has run on ahead of me. I reach out to grab righteousness, and it flees from me. Evil is present with me and won’t leave me. But I am forgiven and I have been given your grace. Thank you for the cross and for your resurrection. AMEN