'LIFE IS NOT A BOWL OF CHERRIES'

Sometimes the valleys in life are deep and long. But it is not a time to give up. Blaming God and leaving the Lord would not be the answer. Gold refined by fire rids the dross and makes it purer (I Peter 1:7). I think of this passage in Proverbs 24:10, “If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” There was a time when many of the disciples of the Lord left Him and He asked His own apostles, “Do you also want to go away?” It was then that Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. “Also we have come to believe and know You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:66-69). It is in the valleys of life that I need Him. He has never forsaken me and why should I forsake him. He is my Rock and my salvation. He is my Hightower; my shelter in the time of the storms. He gives me comfort in the night. His strength is greatly manifested in weakness. I have often requested of Him to bestow His grace upon me so that I might see the sun beyond the overcast and the silver lining behind every cloud. And His grace is sufficient for me. A moving verse is found in James 4:6 which is a simple but a very profound statement, “But He gives more grace.” Here is a precious promise of our Heavenly Father, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (Psalm 50:15). Also we find in Psalm 46:1 that “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” The following hymn explains best what I am trying to say: HE GIVETH MORE GRACE By Annie J. Flint (1866-1932) He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as our labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials He multiplies peace. 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 is only begun. Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision, Our God ever yearns His resources to share; Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing; The Father both thee and thy load will upbear. His love has no limits, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again. - THE TRIUMPHANT STORY of ANNIE JOHNSON FLINT By Rowland V. Bingham