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

 

OPEN MY EYES!

 

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

 

OPEN MY EYES!

 

Ps 119:18

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

 

          Jesus had told His disciples that he was “going away” and Thomas said “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” John 14:5 Then Philip said that it would be enough if they could just “see the Father.” Jesus then responded that if they had seen Him, they had already seen the Father!

 

          Like the proverbial calf looking at a new gate, they didn’t know what they were seeing. Comprehension was withheld from their eyes and minds because Jesus was so cleverly hidden in human flesh.

 

          The travelers on the road to Emmaus walked and talked with the resurrected Jesus but did not know him. “And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.” Luke 24:15-16

 

          The word “holden” is translated from the Greek krateo which means “to seize or retain.” They saw but they were “held, seized, and retained” from comprehending.

 

          Today, ask God to reveal Himself to you in a new and fresh way. What a joy it will be to you to see Him again for the very first time.

 

Dear Lord, remove the scales from my eyes that I might see you more clearly than ever before. AMEN

 

DECORATION DAY

 

Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026

 

DECORATION DAY

 

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 

 

          We called it Decoration Day because Tennessee people, wherever they had roamed, came home to place pretty flowers on the family graves. It was a time for reunion with others who had come home.

 

          Our loved ones were all buried in the small cemetery adjoining the Pine Hill Church, probably Baptist with a Pentecostal flavor. It was there that we gathered to forget trespasses and to remember good things. The church provided “all day singing” and “dinner on the ground.”

 

          Our family had migrated to Ohio, where there was work for daddy. We took highway 27 south through Kentucky. We stopped somewhere in the mountains at a log cabin restaurant. I remember that there was a Koi pond out front which fascinated me and my siblings. They were the biggest goldfish we had ever seen. Inside was a trinket shop with hillbilly stuff. There was a coonskin hat which we did not buy but wanted to. We ate … something.

 

Lord, let me sit a spell and forget trespasses and remember good things. AMEN

 

ANOTHER PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY!

 

Sunday, May 24, 2026

 

ANOTHER PLEASANT VALLEY SUNDAY!

 

Matt 24:37-39

37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

 

Memorial Day reminds me of an old song. “Pleasant Valley Sunday” is a song by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, most famous for the version recorded by The Monkees in 1967. Goffin’s and king’s inspiration for the name was a street named Pleasant Valley Way, in West Orange, New Jersey where they were living at the time. The road follows a valley through several communities among the Watchung Mountains. The lyrics were a social commentary on status symbols, creature comforts, life in suburbia and “keeping up with the Joneses.” (Source Wikipedia) Thoughtless consumerism is not a new phenomenon, and neither is social commentary although both did spike in the sixties.

 

Jesus predicted that “the coming of the Son of man” would take place during a time of lazy luxury. People would be focused on the common affairs of daily life and that these concerns would crowd out any thought of morality, God or eternity. Jesus never recommended the abandonment of daily activities or even times of celebration, but He did warn against an irreligious life.

 

As we light the grill and slice the watermelon, let us remember those who died to give us the freedoms we enjoy. As we go about our daily activities, let us glance occasionally at the cross and give thanks to the One who died to purchase our salvation.

 

Dear Lord, let me not be so consumed with consumerism that I forget to remember your sacrifice. AMEN

 

FOUR IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEBER

 

Saturday, May 23, 2026

 

FOUR IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEBER

 

Gen 32:9-12

9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord  which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.

11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children.

12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

 

          Jacob, the scoundrel, was about to return home accompanied by his wives, his children, and all his abundance. He had fled the rage of his brother whom he had cheated of both birthright and blessing. Now the prospect of meeting his angry brother causes him to pray. In this prayer I see FOUR important points to remember when we pray.

 

          One, we must understand who God is! This, at its best, is elementary because which of us has fully mined the depths of Jehovah God? Nevertheless, Jacob begins by acknowledging God as supreme. This is fundamental in our relationship with Him.

 

          Two, we must understand who we are! The word “unworthy” is a difficult Hebrew word to fully interpret. It is the word qaton which, essentially means “to be made small.” Jacob saw himself shrinking before God’s great person, power, and patience. God’s goodness to him was so overwhelming that he had to admit that he deserved none of it.

 

          Three, we must express our concerns! Jacob correctly began his prayer with the words “for I fear” in verse eleven. In my opinion, Jacob feared that his brother would be as ruthless as himself. In his returning parade, Jacob sent ahead with his substance and then what could only be described as the sacrifice of his family before he, himself, met his angry brother. Always the manipulator, Jacob thought to assuage the anger of his offended brother. This was his fear and his prayer.

 

          Four, we must remember God’s promises! Jacob reminded God of his promise to do him good and to make him a great nation. I suspect God needs no reminder, but we need to remind ourselves of God’s covenant with us. If God has promised blessing, then this fear is not well founded. Only when we are convinced of God’s good intentions toward us can we move forward in faith.

 

Awesome God! I shrink before you as one who has no standing with you without your great kindness. I bring to you my fears and concerns. Remember your promises to me. In Jesus’ Name. AMEN

 

DEPTH OF MERCY!

 

Friday, May 22, 2026

 

DEPTH OF MERCY!

 

Gen 50:15-17

15 And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.

16 And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before he died, saying,

17 So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.

 

          Warren Wiersbe, in his Bible Exposition Commentary, has such a wonderful comment on this portion of Scripture that I would like to simply include it here without further comment.

 

Afraid to approach Joseph personally, they sent a message to him, hoping to convince him. Did Jacob actually speak the words they quoted? Probably not. If Jacob had wanted to intercede for the guilty sons, he could easily have done it when he was alone with Joseph. And he had seventeen years in which to do it! It's likely that the brothers concocted this story, hoping that Joseph's love for his father would give him a greater love for his brothers.

 

How did Joseph respond to their message? "When their message came to him, Joseph wept" (v. 17). He was deeply hurt that his own brothers didn't believe his words or accept his kind deeds at face value as true expressions of his love and forgiveness. What more could he have done to convince them? Charles Wesley may have had Joseph and his brothers in mind when he wrote his hymn "Depth of Mercy".

 

Depth of mercy! Can there be

Mercy still reserved for me?

Can my God His wrath forbear —

Me, the chief of sinners, spare?

 

Now incline me to repent;

Let me now my sins lament;

Now my foul revolt deplore,

Weep, believe and sin no more.

 

There for me the Saviour stands,

Holding forth His wounded hands;

God is love! I know, I feel,

Jesus weeps and loves me still.

 

Dear Lord, your mercy is, in our thinking, so unbelievable that we need constant reassuring. Help us to rest in the depth of your mercy today. AMEN

 

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

 

Thursday, May 21, 2026

 

TERMS OF ENDEARMENT

Jer 31:3 

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. 

 

                Have you ever considered how often and in how many ways God expressed His love? The Bible is full of expressions of love and examples of His kindness. Jaimeson-Fausset-Brown comments on our verse above this way: “Israel gratefully acknowledges in reply to God’s past grace; but at the same time tacitly implies by the expression “of old,” that God does not appear to her now. “God appeared to me of old, but now I am forsaken!” God replies, Nay, I love thee with the same love now as of old. My love was not a momentary impulse, but from “everlasting” in My counsels, and to “everlasting” in its continuance.

 

                When Adam and Eve learned of their nakedness, God clothed them with a sacrifice. When Lot’s family chose a wicked city, God rescued them from ruin. Even Lot’s wife was rescued although she made a fatal decision to reject that rescue. Luk 17:32 “Remember Lot's wife.” Rom_5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The admiration of beauty is easy but true love disregards flaws.

 

Eph_5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

Dear Lord, let me love like Jesus loved. AMEN

 

BE NOT FAR FROM ME!

 

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

 

BE NOT FAR FROM ME!

 

Ps 35:22

O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me.

 

Acts 17:25-28

…he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being…

 

The most difficult times for me are those times when God seems far away. Oh, I know with my mind that He is everywhere and that He is near, even in my heart, but there are times when I need Him so badly to be within reach. I need to sense His presence, and I need to hear his voice. Like a child who pillows his head on his mother’s breast I need to feel His breath on my cheek. Many are the times when my soul cries out to God, for the comfort of His presence.

 

Many are the songs that have been written and sung about our human longing for the divine. “Abide with me” is one and “Nearer my God to Thee” is another. These songs remind us of the great gulf that sin has now fixed between us and our God. Yet our very soul was made for the same fellowship with Him that Adam enjoyed in the cool of the evening.

 

Job deeply felt the absence of God although God was every moment observing his calamity. It may seem cruel to us, but God had set in motion a test for Job that would put Satan to open shame. Job was required to remain faithful to an absentee God. So, it seems often to us. We feel that we must walk the trail of tears alone, yet God is there and He will arrive just in time.

 

Ps 56:3

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

 

Dear Lord, I know with my head that Thou art there, but my spirit needs Thee now. Be not far from me. AMEN