Oh me oh my, it’s Monday Friends! Chuh! That day comes around ever so quickly, like it takes pleasure in taunting us: ‘Betty goatee! Yuh got to go back to work today though!’ Remember those childhood taunts of yore? Unfortunately though my people, that’s the way our society is organized; if you don’t work, you don’t eat. Bruh Paul even said that to the Thessalonians a long time ago. ‘For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.’ (2 Thes.3:10) And to that, all God’s people said a loud, hearty, ‘Amen!’ But Friends, like most things in this crazy world of ours, there are ways to mitigate the ill effects of beginning another arduous week of work. And the first is old faithful; putting on your full coat of spiritual armour, so that you can be protected against the evil wiles of the enemy, for venturing into enemy territory without it is like a lamb walking into a lion’s den; all over bar the shouting. But with your helmet of salvation, your breastplate of righteousness, your belt of truth, shoes of peace, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, the Good Book, you can face any foe with supreme confidence. And the second is almost like unto the first; do like the psalmist says: ‘Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.’ Yes Friends, that’s where we always should seek help, and FIRST too, not last. And I’m doing that right now mih breddren; crying out for some help, for some mercy to withstand these annoying, intermittent, come upon you suddenly with no warning pains that are wracking my old body. And the sad part is that medical science which can transplant hearts and lungs, and grow human embryos out of the womb, can’t give me a positive, reassuring answer to simple joint and muscle pains. Wow! So far I’ve had two so called specialists, supposed experts in their fields look at x-rays, ultra-sounds and M.R.Is’ of my knees and give me two completely different answers to the problem. Steups! Ah mih people, it not easy nuh. But the important thing is not to give up, not to fall prey to self-pity, which is so easy to do, but to keep on keeping on however you can, for as the Lord told Bruh Paul when he complained about his aches and pains: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (power) is made perfect in weakness.’ (2 Cor.12:9) Yes Friends, though the aches and pains are no fun, yet with the Lord’s grace and mercy we’re able to withstand the pressure and go on to glorify Him in our weakness. Praise the Lord! In Psalm 121, which deals with God’s sustaining power, the psalmist proudly proclaims: ‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills (mountains) from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’ (Ps.121:1-2) And that’s gospel mih people! Likewise in Psalm 141, a prayer for help in trouble, Bruh David expounds with heartfelt faith: ‘But mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: in thee is my trust; leave not my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and the gins (traps) of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape (while I escape safely).’ (Ps.141:8-10) Ah my people, it’s of the utmost importance that believers remember where there help comes from, where their bread is buttered, otherwise our faith is wasted. It’s Almighty God who created the universe and who guides, protects and feeds us from His throne in the heavens. In Psalm 11, titled, ‘In the Lord put I my trust,’ Bruh David says: ‘The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try (test) the children of men. The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence, his soul hateth.’ (Ps.11:4-5) Now hear Psalm 115 which says to trust in God, not idols. ‘But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.’ (Ps.115:3-4) Yes Friends, the idols of the wicked are made by men and often look like men, but because they are inanimate, they can’t even do the little that man can. And as the psalmist continues; ‘They that make them are like unto them; so is everyone that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield.’ (Ps.115:8-9) That my Friends is exactly what we need to learn and remember to do; trust in the Lord at all times and under all circumstances. And the psalmist explains why. ‘Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden (maid) unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait (look) upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us.’ (Ps.123:2) Oh mih people, we might not receive that mercy as quickly or as plentifully as we desire, but rest assured that it will come, and in enough quantity to quell our fears and pains. We just have to learn to wait on the Lord. In His time, He will make everything right. He’s never once yet been late to solve a problem, provided that’s His intention. I know it’s easier said than done, especially in our fast paced, now for now society, but it’s in those rough times that the Lord tries our faith, to see if we really mean and believe what we say, and also builds our character, bringing it ever closer in line with that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus, which is His eventual goal. So please hang in there Friends, for it’s often darkest just before the dawn. Your number will eventually play, if you keep your eyes steadfast on the Lord. Much LOVE!…oh, when times get tough…the tough get going…by looking to the heavens…by looking to the Lord…
SCRIP-BITS 