Dear Brothers and Sisters:
This time of isolation continues still, and in this trying time we may be led to feelings of discouragement. Please press on!
During World War II, great bombs fell on the center of London, and buildings were completely leveled. When the debris were cleared away, flowers started springing up from the bomb craters. Botanists had thought these flowers died a hundred years ago, but their seeds had lain dormant unto the city.
Don't be discouraged. The explosions of life may remove the topsoil to reveal new spiritual experiences.
There is a legend that Satan decided to get rid of a number of his tools, so he arranged an auction.
There were envy, deceit, malice, sensuality, enmity, thoughtlessness, and many other tools which Satan had used successfully (priced very low). One piece, marked very high, was labeled Discouragement.
"Why do you want so much for this tool?" asked one bidder.
"This tool," replied the old tempter, "has always been my most useful one. You can see it has had more wear than the rest. It is used as a wedge to get into a man's mind when all other means fail. Practically every human being has had this tool used on him, although very few know that I'm the one welding it."
As it worked out, none could afford the price Satan demanded for Discouragement...and so he is still using it.
Some time ago an elderly man living in New Jersey made an unusual discovery as he leafed through an old family Bible. Many years earlier, his aunt had died and left it to him. Part of her will read: "To my beloved Steven Marsh I bequeath my family Bible and all it contains, along with the residue of my estate after my funeral expenses and just and lawful debts are paid." When everything had been settled the nephew got a few hundred dollars plus the old volume mentioned in the will.
After the money was used up, his only support was a small pension, and for more than 30 years he lived in poverty. Then one day he cleaned out his attic in preparation for a move to his son's home where he hoped to spend his old age. There in a trunk was the family Bible he had inherited. Opening it, he was amazed to find bank notes scattered throughout its pages. He counted over $5000 in cash. Within his reach were riches he could have been enjoying all along. How true, God’s Word offers us such precious riches as we face today’s challenges.
God’s Word offers great encouragement.
For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. (Psalms 31:22 KJV)
Y decía yo en mi premura: Cortado soy de delante de tus ojos: Tú empero oíste la voz de mis ruegos, cuando á ti clamaba. (Salmos 31:22 SRV)
Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled. The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (Psalms 77:7-20 KJV)
¿Desechará el Señor para siempre, Y no volverá más á amar? ¿Hase acabado para siempre su misericordia? ¿Hase acabado la palabra suya para generación y generación? ¿Ha olvidado Dios el tener misericordia? ¿Ha encerrado con ira sus piedades? (Selah.) Y dije: Enfermedad mía es esta; Traeré pues á la memoria los años de la diestra del Altísimo. Acordaréme de las obras de JAH: Sí, haré yo memoria de tus maravillas antiguas. Y meditaré en todas tus obras, Y hablaré de tus hechos. Oh Dios, en santidad es tu camino: ¿Qué Dios grande como el Dios nuestro? Tú eres el Dios que hace maravillas: Tú hiciste notoria en los pueblos tu fortaleza. Con tu brazo redimiste á tu pueblo, A los hijos de Jacob y de José. (Selah.) Viéronte las aguas, oh Dios; Viéronte las aguas, temieron; Y temblaron los abismos. Las nubes echaron inundaciones de aguas; Tronaron los cielos, Y discurrieron tus rayos. Anduvo en derredor el sonido de tus truenos; Los relámpagos alumbraron el mundo; Estremecióse y tembló la tierra. En la mar fué tu camino, Y tus sendas en las muchas aguas; Y tus pisadas no fueron conocidas. Condujiste á tu pueblo como ovejas, Por mano de Moisés y de Aarón. (Salmos 77:7-20 SRV)
I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, but not into light. Surely against me is he turned; he turneth his hand against me all the day. My flesh and my skin hath he made old; he hath broken my bones. He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail. He hath set me in dark places, as they that be dead of old. He hath hedged me about, that I cannot get out: he hath made my chain heavy. Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. He hath inclosed my ways with hewn stone, he hath made my paths crooked. He was unto me as a bear lying in wait, and as a lion in secret places. He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces: he hath made me desolate. He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. He hath caused the arrows of his quiver to enter into my reins. I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day. He hath filled me with bitterness, he hath made me drunken with wormwood. He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, he hath covered me with ashes. And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (Lamentations 3:1-26 KJV)
YO soy el hombre que ha visto aflicción en la vara de su enojo. Guióme y llevóme en tinieblas, mas no en luz. Ciertamente contra mí volvió y revolvió su mano todo el día. Hizo envejecer mi carne y mi piel; quebrantó mis huesos. Edificó contra mí, y cercóme de tósigo y de trabajo. Asentóme en oscuridades, como los ya muertos de mucho tiempo. Cercóme por todos lados, y no puedo salir; agravó mis grillos. Aun cuando clamé y dí voces, cerro los oídos a mi oración. Cercó mis caminos con piedra tajada, torció mis senderos. Como oso que acecha fué para mí, como león en escondrijos. Torció mis caminos, y depedazóme; tornóme asolado. Su arco entesó, y púsome como blanco a la saeta. Hizo entrar en mis riñones las saetas de su aljaba. Fuí escarnio á todo mi pueblo, canción de ellos todos los días. Hartóme de amarguras, embriagóme de ajenjos. Quebróme los dientes con cascajo, cubrióme de ceniza. Y mi alma se alejó de la paz, olvidéme del bien. Y dije: Pereció mi fortaleza, y mi esperanza de Jehová. Acuérdate de mi aflicción y de mi abatimiento, del ajenjo y de la hiel. Tendrálo aún en memoria mi alma, porque en mí está humillada. Esto reduciré á mi corazón, por lo cual esperaré. Es por la misericordia de Jehová que no somos consumidos, porque nunca decayeron sus misericordias. Nuevas son cada mañana; grande es tu fidelidad. Mi parte es Jehová, dijo mi alma; por tanto en él esperaré. Bueno es Jehová á los que en él esperan, al alma que le buscare. Bueno es esperar callando en la salud de Jehová. (Lamentaciones 3:1-26 SRV)
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. (Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV)
El eterno Dios es tu refugio Y acá abajo los brazos eternos; El echará de delante de ti al enemigo, Y dirá: Destruye. (Deuteronomio 33:27 SRV)
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. (Psalms 5:12 KJV)
Porque tú, oh Jehová, bendecirás al justo; Lo cercarás de benevolencia como con un escudo. (Salmos 5:12 SRV)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. {for ever: Heb. to length of days} (Psalms 23:6 KJV)
Ciertamente el bien y la misericordia me seguirán todos los días de mi vida: Y en la casa de Jehová moraré por largos días. (Salmos 23:6 SRV)
The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. (Psalms 29:11 KJV)
Jehová dará fortaleza á su pueblo: Jehová bendecirá á su pueblo en paz. Salmo de David. (Salmos 29:11 SRV)
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalms 32:6-8 KJV)
Por esto orará á ti todo santo en el tiempo de poder hallarte: Ciertamente en la inundación de muchas aguas no llegarán éstas á él. Tú eres mi refugio; me guardarás de angustia; Con cánticos de liberación me rodearás. (Selah.) Te haré entender, y te enseñaré el camino en que debes andar: Sobre ti fijaré mis ojos. (Salmos 32:6-8 SRV)
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalms 33:18-19 KJV)
He aquí, el ojo de Jehová sobre los que le temen, Sobre los que esperan en su misericordia; Para librar sus almas de la muerte, Y para darles vida en el hambre. (Salmos 33:18-19 SRV)
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (Psalms 34:9-10 KJV)
Temed á Jehová, vosotros sus santos; Porque no hay falta para los que le temen. Los leoncillos necesitaron, y tuvieron hambre; Pero los que buscan á Jehová, no tendrán falta de ningún bien. (Salmos 34:9-10 SRV)
The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. (Psalms 34:17 KJV)
Clamaron los justos, y Jehová oyó, Y librólos de todas sus angustias. (Salmos 34:17 SRV)
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. (Psalms 37:3-5 KJV)
Espera en Jehová, y haz bien; Vivirás en la tierra, y en verdad serás alimentado. Pon asimismo tu delicia en Jehová, Y él te dará las peticiones de tu corazón. Encomienda á Jehová tu camino, Y espera en él; y él hará. (Salmos 37:3-5 SRV)
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalms 55:22 KJV)
Echa sobre Jehová tu carga, y él te sustentará; No dejará para siempre caído al justo. (Salmos 55:22 SRV)
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. (Proverbs 29:25 KJV)
El temor del hombre pondrá lazo: Mas el que confía en Jehová será levantado. (Proverbios 29:25 SRV)
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3 KJV)
Tú le guardarás en completa paz, cuyo pensamiento en ti persevera; porque en ti se ha confiado. (Isaías 26:3 SRV)
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8 KJV)
Bendito el varón que se fía en Jehová, y cuya confianza es Jehová. Porque él será como el árbol plantado junto á las aguas, que junto á la corriente echará sus raices, y no verá cuando viniere el calor, sino que su hoja estará verde; y en el año de sequía no se fatigará, ni dejará de hacer fruto. (Jeremías 17:7-8 SRV)
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. (Nahum 1:7 KJV)
Bueno es Jehová para fortaleza en el día de la angustia; y conoce á los que en él confían. (Nahúm 1:7 SRV)
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:16-18 KJV)
Entonces los que temen á Jehová hablaron cada uno á su compañero; y Jehová escuchó y oyó, y fué escrito libro de memoria delante de él para los que temen á Jehová, y para los que piensan en su nombre. Y serán para mí especial tesoro, ha dicho Jehová de los ejércitos, en el día que yo tengo de hacer: y perdonarélos como el hombre que perdona á su hijo que le sirve. Entonces os tornaréis, y echaréis de ver la diferencia entre el justo y el malo, entre el que sirve á Dios y el que no le sirve. (Malaquías 3:16-18 SRV)
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:28-31 KJV)
Y no temáis á los que matan el cuerpo, mas al alma no pueden matar: temed antes á aquel que puede destruir el alma y el cuerpo en el infierno. ¿No se venden dos pajarillos por un cuarto? Con todo, ni uno de ellos cae á tierra sin vuestro Padre. Pues aun vuestros cabellos están todos contados. Así que, no temáis: más valéis vosotros que muchos pajarillos. (Mateo 10:28-31 SRV)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 KJV)
Mi Dios, pues, suplirá todo lo que os falta conforme á sus riquezas en gloria en Cristo Jesús. (Filipenses 4:19 SRV)
Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:10-12 KJV)
Por tanto, todo lo sufro por amor de los escogidos, para que ellos también consigan la salud que es en Cristo Jesús con gloria eterna. Es palabra fiel: Que si somos muertos con él, también viviremos con él: Si sufrimos, también reinaremos con él: si negáremos, él también nos negará: (2 Timoteo 2:10-12 SRV)
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. (Revelation 2:7 KJV)
El que tiene oído, oiga lo que el Espíritu dice á las iglesias. Al que venciere, daré á comer del árbol de la vida, el cual está en medio del paraíso de Dios. (Apocalipsis 2:7 SRV)
From the Pen of Inspiration we read:
“ Into the experience of all there come times of keen disappointment and utter discouragement--days when sorrow is the portion, and it is hard to believe that God is still the kind benefactor of His earth-born children; days when troubles harass the soul, till death seems preferable to life. It is then that many lose their hold on God and are brought into the slavery of doubt, the bondage of unbelief. Could we at such times discern with spiritual insight the meaning of God's providences, we should see angels seeking to save us from ourselves, striving to plant our feet upon a foundation more firm than the everlasting hills; and new faith, new life, would spring into being.” {My Life Today, 328}
“When in faith we take hold of His strength, He will change, wonderfully change, the most hopeless, discouraging outlook.” {Testimonies for the Church, 8:12}
“When we learn to walk by faith and not by feeling, we shall have help from God just when we need it, and His peace will come into our hearts. It was this simple life of obedience and trust that Enoch lived. If we learn this lesson of simple trust, ours may be the testimony that he received, that he pleased God.” {My Life Today, 14}
“Satan is ready to steal away the blessed assurances of God. He desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ray of light from the soul; but you must not permit him to do this. Exercise faith; fight the good fight of faith; wrestle with these doubts; become acquainted with the promises.” {Testimonies for the Church, 5:629}
“Instead of thinking of your discouragements, think of the power you can claim in Christ's name. Let your imagination take hold upon things unseen. Let your thoughts be directed to the evidences of the great love of God for you. Faith can endure trial, resist temptation, bear up under disappointment. Jesus lives as our advocate. All is ours that His mediation secures.” {Ministry of Healing, 488}
“ Let us be hopeful and courageous. Despondency in God's service is sinful and unreasonable. He knows our every necessity. To the omnipotence of the King of kings our covenant-keeping God unites the gentleness and care of the tender shepherd. His power is absolute, and it is the pledge of the sure fulfillment of His promises to all who trust in Him. He has means for the removal of every difficulty, that those who serve Him and respect the means He employs may be sustained. His love is as far above all other love as the heavens are above the earth. He watches over His children with a love that is measureless and everlasting.” {Ministry of Healing, 481, 482}
“God loves His children, and He longs to see them overcoming the discouragement with which Satan would overpower them. Do not give way to unbelief. Do not magnify your difficulties. Remember the love and power that God has shown in times past.” {My Life Today, 12}
“We need not keep our own record of trials and difficulties, griefs, and sorrows. All these things are written in the books, and heaven will take care of them.” {Ministry of Healing, 487}
“None need abandon themselves to discouragement and despair. Satan may come to you with the cruel suggestion, "Yours is a hopeless case. You are irredeemable." But there is hope for you in Christ. God does not bid us overcome in our own strength. He asks us to come close to His side. Whatever difficulties we labor under, which weigh down soul and body, He waits to make us free.” {Ministry of Healing, 249}
I close with this appeal.
And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. (1 John 2:28 KJV)
Y ahora, hijitos, perseverad en él; para que cuando apareciere, tengamos confianza, y no seamos confundidos de él en su venida. (1 Juan 2:28 SRV)
May God continue to watch over you, dear brothers and sisters.
Pastor Richard Parent