Manna in the Morning

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...” is probably the most well-known verse of the Bible. But we should never let it’s familiarity diminish its meaning and importance. This verse describes for us the amazing love that God has for mankind that He has created in His image. Though man has rebelled against God’s law and often spurned His love... yet, God’s love is steadfast and real. Spurgeon used to tell of a farmer who had a weather vane on his barn with the motto, “God is love.” He was asked if the motto was intended to suggest that God is as changeable as the wind. To which the farmer replied, “Oh, no! It means that no matter which was the wind blows, God is love.” No matter which way the wind blows... no matter how hard it blows... we can depend on the love of a faithful and steadfast God in whom we can find shelter and protection.

There is an old church camp chorus that asked, “Are you downhearted?” The reply was to be sung with emphasis, “NO! NO! NO!” When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Galatia he was encouraging them in their walk with Christ. One of the things he wrote was, “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9) There are a great many things that tend to drag our spirits down. This world in which we live is not really conducive to victorious living. Problems and adverse circumstances sometimes overwhelm us. But, when our faith is in the One who is coming, “conquering and to conquer,” we are able to soar as eagles by trusting in God’s power. One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 43 which ends with this question and its answer: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 43:5). Trusting in our Lord can defeat discouragement. Jesus said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

In the New Testament we see Jesus making contact with all sorts of people. He was not put off by the social taboos of that day. He cared about people. He touched lepers... he reached out to the outcasts... he bounced children on his knee... he cared for people who were hurting and rejected. In Stockholm, Sweden, a lady was pinned beneath a streetcar. She was seriously injured and bleeding badly. A crowd collected. They tried to move the streetcar, but it was too heavy. There was nothing to do but wait for the heavy equipment to come. She was in great pain and she was losing blood rapidly. Suddenly a young man broke away from the crowd. He crawled under the streetcar and took the woman’s hand and said, “Hold my hand tightly until help comes.” In holding his hand she grew calm. She avoided going into shock. The loss of blood was slowed. Finally, after she was freed, she said, “I never knew the touch of a hand could mean so much.” Jesus is our great example... is there someone’s hand that you need to hold today?

I love that verse in the Book of Revelation that says, “For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice and honor him!” (Rev. 19:6-7) There is a great story about Harold and Don Reid, two of the legendary Statler Brothers. Their father had passed away, and they would take their mother to some of their concerts in hopes that it would help her cope with her grief. They would sit her on the front row so that she might enjoy the show. One night, after finishing their part of the show and turning the stage over to Johnny Cash, they went back to their dressing room. A little while later a stagehand came in and said that they might want to know that their mother was crying. When they came to the side of the stage, they saw that Johnny Cash was singing to their mother. Knowing her grief, Johnny was singing the words to an old Stuart Hamblen hymn which say:

These things shall pass and some great morning
We’ll look back and smile at heartaches we have known
So don’t forget when storm clouds gather
The Lord our God is still King upon His throne!

 
No matter what we may have to deal with on this day... these words will give us the confidence we need to live victoriously. “The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!”