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The Bible Says
“The Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (II Tim. 4:17). When Paul wrote his second Epistle to his coworker and confidant, young Timothy, things were looking a little discouraging, wouldn’t you say? He knew he was facing martyrdom, but that in itself did not discourage him. He simply stated: “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (II Tim. 4:6,7). Paul was not ashamed of his record and was confident a reward was awaiting him because of his faithful service for Christ (verse 8). What did bother him was the seeming unfaithfulness of his coworkers. “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crenscens to Glalatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (II Tim. 4:10,11). Not only had Paul’s friends let him down at the time he needed them most; his enemies seized upon the opportunity to strike at his weakest moment. He went on to say: “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God it may not be laid to their charge” (II Tim.4:14-16)
He continues his prayer letter with these words of hilarious victory: “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (II Tim. 4:17,18).
“Though Solomon possessed fabulous wealth and gained worldwide fame, he went through a time in which he found no pleasure in life. He acquired much knowledge, built great edifices, and experimented with the sensual, but still he was empty. Why was this? Because he was trying to live without God. “Therefore I hated life, because . . . all is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:17). “A deep sense of futility pervades society today. It can be seen in the thousands of people who are turning to the religions of the East, the occult, and the philosophies of despair. It is apparent in the alarming number of highly successful authors and entertainers who commit suicide. But it is probably the most evident among high school and college youth, where suicides are rapidly increasing. “Anyone who ignores or denies God will eventually experience futility. Scholars gain much learning only to become overwhelmed with despair. Wealthy Tycoons build beautiful mansions, yet they never find the joy of a real home. Men and women move from one romance to another without ever experiencing the beauty of love. Young people range through the whole field of sensual pleasures and never find satisfaction. No wonder there is so much emptiness and unhappiness in the world today! “As Solomon concluded the book of Ecclesiastes, he pointed out in crystal clear language that the answer to frustration is faith in God. He wrote, ‘Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth’ (Eccl. 12:11). Then he advised, ‘Fear God . . . for this is the whole duty of man’ (Eccl. 12:13). It is the only cure for despair!’”
-- Herbert Vander Luct in “Our Daily Bread” Tuesday—March 3, 1981 “Teach me, Lord, to keep sweet and gentle in all the events of life; in disappointments, in thoughtlessness of others, in the insincerity of those I trusted, in the unfaithfulness of those on whom I relied. “Help me to put myself aside, to think of the happiness of others, to hide my little pains and heartaches, so that I may be the only one to suffer from them. “Teach me to profit by the suffering that comes to me. May they be used of God to mellow me, not harden or embitter me: that I might become broad in my forgiveness: kindly, sympathetic, and helpful. “Lord, make me a channel of Thy peace, that where there is hatred, I may bring love, that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness. That where there is discord, I may bring harmony. That where there is error, I may bring truth. That where there is doubt, I may bring faith. That where there is despair, I may bring hope. That where there are shadows, I may bring light. That where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Let me be all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. We ask it all in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
-- Arranged from Uncle Ben’s Notebook To find its peace in His sure Word. And hearts that to His Word repair Can overcome their dark despair -- Dennis J. De Haan |