CHALLENGES
20th Jul 2022
We were listening to Bill Johnson, pastor of Bethel Church, California, speaking three days after his wife Beni had died. He shared that in the face of loss God has the gift of Himself to give him the resources he needs at this challenging time. When grief can overwhelm, God gives more of Himself to His children to sustain them and bring them through.
We are probably all in the middle of life challenges, some are temporary and some take us into uncharted territory. I have just had a hip replacement and am working though the recovery time. Although challenging the future looks good. We also are in the process of moving; we have sold our house but, as yet have not found our right next house.
It is at these times that our faith is put to the test. We know the verse about “the peace that passes understanding” and yet it is easy to have moments of panic and find the enemy’s lies shouting in our ear.
As I was thinking about this, and hearing testimonies from friends who are all going through very challenging times, I read a testimony from Nancy Goudie who lost Ray six years ago, who says, “Let the things that happen to us through life lead us to a greater experience of who our wonderful God is.” And then this song came into my mind:
1. He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as the labours increase; to added affliction He addeth His mercy, to multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
2. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done, when we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving has only begun.
3. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power has no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
I was also reading Psalm 17:5 in the Message which says, “I’m staying on your trail; I’m putting one foot in front of the other. I’m not giving up.”
So let our declaration be, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground in sinking sand.”
by Charles Sibthorpe
