Walk of Life – Day 24 – August 2020 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! Proverbs 24:10
It was the Barcelona Olympics. Derek Redmond had prepared extensively for the races. He had around eight operations on his Achilles tendons over the past four years, yet he was in great shape and was truly confident. His father, Jim, was very close to him and was in the stands to cheer his son. It was the 400 m semifinals and Derek started well. When he reached the first bend in the track, his hamstring went, and Derek felt a piercing pain as if he was shot by a bullet. He groaned with pain…he felt that the years of hard work to make it to the Olympics was all in vain, he hated everything around him but then he realized he had to complete the race. Winner or not, the race had to be run from start to finish and so this young man, deciding he could not quit, kept hopping around. And with 100 m to go, he felt a hand on his shoulder. His dad came and held him and together hand in hand this amazing duo, completed the race to a standing ovation from the crowd. Truly here was a strong man, who did not falter in the day of trouble!!
Life is not an easy ride. We encounter losses, hardships, disappointments, discouragements, and it is so easy to give up. The storms of life are hard and tough, it may seem that all is lost, but rest assured the Lord will carry you though if you stay strong in Him.
I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me. We can go on, we can run boldly because as in 2 Cor 4:7, we have “this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” We as believers are still in our weak, mortal bodies and we are not immune from disease, pain, persecution, or affliction. However, we have the Lord Jesus as our most precious treasure living in us. And with Him all things are possible. We are living in a dark world but always remember that He that is in us is greater than He that is in the world. The indwelling Spirit of God can make us bold as lions and enable us to show forth the Lord Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
You are a role model. I have always noticed, when responsibility is thrust upon you, such as if children suddenly lose parents or the father, the oldest child no matter what age, feels like this father figure and strives to nourish and nurture the family. It happens almost overnight and they seem equipped to face the challenge. Similarly, you will never give up if you are aware that you are an example to your fellow believers. When they see your life of standing strong they will also be strengthened in the faith. It is people who have faced a lot of hardship and sorrows in life who can encourage and lift so many afflicted and depressed hearts.
You have an eternal hope. Never give up because we are not running to receive a perishable reward but something that is eternal. No matter what the trouble or tribulation may be, I will stand true to my Lord because I am looking for a city whose maker and builder is God himself. The martyrs over the ages stood strong and stayed strong because they knew that even if the lions ate them or the ferocious bulls tore them apart or the electric chair killed them, there is a beautiful eternity waiting for them.
“Though all may leave me, still I will follow, no turning back, no turning back” – This song was written when a martyr in Manipur was facing his death sentence and he saw his wife and children murdered before his very eyes. Yet He never gave up trusting in the Lord. Later, after his death that entire village believed in Jesus.
Paul declares in Romans 8:37 to 39 “I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Truly with the Lord by your side, standing on all His precious promises, never ever give up my friend, never falter in the day of trouble. You may be weak but your Lord and Savior is truly strong!
