Guess who said this:
“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me, or help me.’”
Can you guess who said the above? You have probably discovered many moments like this yourself as a Christian. Perhaps they have been more than moments… perhaps seasons… perhaps they have come more often these past several months of global pandemic. Perhaps you wonder if real happiness will ever return. One thing most everyone has learned by now is this: human souls need attention.
Over 60 years ago noted evangelist Billy Graham observed,
“The soul actually demands as much attention as the body. It demands fellowship and communion with God. It demands worship, quietness, and meditation. Unless the soul is fed and exercised daily, it becomes weak and shrivelled. It remains discontented, confused, restless.” – Billy Graham, The Secret of Happiness, 1957.
We all need fellowship and communion with others, but moreso we need fellowship and communion with God. And nothing can separate us from receiving that – “neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” (Rom. 8:38-39).
Here are two promises which can be joined together to create a most truthful mash-up that is ours to sustain us:
“The Lord is with you when you are with Him.” (2 Chron. 15:2);
“…If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).
“The Lord is with you when you are with Him.” (2 Chron. 15:2); “…If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). God’s Word is Truth. When soul and spirit sags, Truth can lift them up. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul,” sang the psalmist (Ps. 19:7), and thus his prayer: “Revive me according to Your word.” (Ps. 119:25).
Even the most godly suffer seasons of despair. That quote above, also by Billy Graham. Think it not strange. “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8).
Press on…
To hear Don Longworth’s Sunday message, go to the Facebook page of Lincoln Baptist Church, or link to the livestream from the church website.
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