The Gathering Place Where Family Matters

I really need these wonderful reminders today. Think with me about what the Lord told us through the wonderful Old Testament prophet, Isaiah.

“Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

Good things to remember today.
1. Our LORD is everlasting.
2. Our LORD is the Creator.
3. Our LORD is never weary.
4. Our LORD is omniscient. He knows everything.
5. Our LORD is able to care for our needs.
6. Our LORD is ready to strengthen His people.
That, my friends, is how we live above our circumstances!

The Psalmist spoke of the hills before Him (Psalm 121:1). He looks Heavenward beyond them and makes a wonderful declaration.

“My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

I have always loved the mountains. Growing up in very flat Western New York, I loved to listen to my grandmother telling stories about the mountains that surrounded her childhood home. She loved the mountains as well. Little wonder then that both my grandmother and I love Psalm 121 which speaks about looking beyond the hills and seeing our help as from the Lord.

So, friend, may I ask you a personal question? What are you facing today? Are you in some of the best days of your life or are you going through some of the most difficult? Whether good or hard, you need the Lord and His help every single day. What wonderful words the Psalmist proclaimed about His help coming from the Lord.

May I further ask this question? Have you read and heeded Hebrews 4:14-16 today?

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

Remember the conversation Mark had with Pastor Kenward yesterday? Struggling through one difficult episode after another, Mark was so discouraged that he honestly felt like God had nothing good for him. Challenged by the kind pastor, Mark left whispering to the Lord, “So, Lord, You are good, and that is true even in the day of trouble. I am having trouble like I can’t believe. But You are good. Please help me to see it.”

Pastor Kenward was watching from the window in his study. Mark jumped in his old pickup, put the key in the ignition and fired it up. Immediately it seemed the Holy Spirit whispered, “It didn’t have to start. But it did.”

He smiled and started backing up. Looking up, he saw the pastor to whom he yelled, “Guess there is a good gift. It actually started the first time!” and with that he pulled out and turned to the west to see the most beautiful sunset he had seen in a long time. “Lord, there is another good gift. Wow! What a sunset.” Before Mark got home he counted three more gifts from the Lord. How is it going with you? Are you alert to His gifts?

Good for everyone: If you are too busy to see God’s gifts to you, then friend, you are too busy. Way too busy!

Think of this verse.

“The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

We have been thinking about good and perfect gifts coming down from the Lord. Sometimes it is easy to become so caught up in the many struggles we face that we can become insensitive to His wonderful gifts.

Travel with me to a pastor’s office where these events took place some time ago.

Mark (not his real name) was respectful but adamant with Pastor Kenward. He had nothing for which to be thankful. Before the kindly pastor allowed Mark to leave his office, he read and explained Nahum 1:7 to him and then prayed with him. He prayed, “Lord, my dear friend Mark truly believes he has nothing for which to be thankful. Lord, please change this man’s heart and attitude. I would pray that the Holy Spirit would help him to see the many blessings even in the little things. Lord, Nahum said that You are good even in the day of trouble. My friend has been through days of trouble. Help him see Your goodness to him. Please, Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!”

With that, Mark turned and remarked, “Funny how good and trouble can be in one sentence. I will think about what you prayed. Bye, Pastor.”

From his window the pastor watched Mark leave. Tears streamed down Pastor Kenward’s cheeks because he knew the terrible heart-wrenching events through which Mark was traveling. You will never believe what happened when Mark got in his pickup truck. I mean, you will never believe it. I will tell you what happens tomorrow.

Think of this with me: The word “good” and “trouble” indeed are in one verse because the Lord is our Stronghold and He knows us. How privileged we are, friends!

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

Ellicott, in his Commentary for English Readers, notes that many believe this verse actually quotes an early hymn about the amazing goodness of the Lord. He shares that both the gift and the Giver are celebrated in this text.

Many of my daily readers are going through difficult times right now. Some are struggling with life-changing illnesses. Some are facing heavy decisions. Others are overwhelmed by disappointments or heartaches and may indeed be wondering, “So where are these good and perfect gifts for me?”

Let’s talk a little bit about that tomorrow. For the moment, think of the air you breathe, the gravity that holds you to the earth, the food that you have, the clothes that you wear, the local church in which you may worship and find fellowship, the many material blessings you enjoy, and last but certainly not least, the wonderful gift of salvation that is freely given to all who call upon the Lord! Yes, He has given many good and perfect gifts indeed. More about this tomorrow.

Michael, Michael, Michael! This is good for you and your readers: I am asking the Lord to help me not get so busy that I miss the many good gifts He has given.