Oh Friends, it’s a new day, we haven’t seen our photos or read our names in the obits, which means we’re alive. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that all’s right in our world, for some of us might be shaking it fairly rough in these tremulous, uncertain times. However, I want us all to remember these most encouraging words: ‘This I recall to mind, therefore I have 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.’ (Lam.3:21-23) And all God’s people said a grateful: ‘Thank you Lord!’ Now isn’t that an excellent way to segue into our continuing Bit? It sure is! Strong words from Jeremiah; a man who suffered imprisonment and many other indignities in spreading God’s Word. But God had made such a strong, indelible impression on him, that even in lamenting his situation, he remembers the faithfulness of our God, His compassions and mercies, and refuses to give up. ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.’ (Lam.3:24) Yes Friends, regardless of what problems we’re currently facing, we all need to acquire and hold on to that positive feeling Jeremiah had. And please notice where that strong surge of faith and trust came from: ‘The Lord is my portion, saith my soul.’ It wasn’t his mind telling him that, but his soul; the very heart of his being, that little corner of us all that God reserves for Himself. It can only be filled by God, and if it isn’t, then we feel miserable and empty, despite all our worldly power and possessions. And in Bruh Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he reminds them of what he said in the first. ‘But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you and keep you from evil (the evil one).’ (2 Thess.3:3) Oh Friends, that’s something we need to be continually reminded of, because life is so complex and confusing with the wily enemy always on the prowl, that if our souls are not completely focused on God, then we’ll be an easy target for him. Meanwhile, the author of Hebrews wisely advises us: ‘Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith (hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised.)’ (Heb.10:23) And in the next chapter, the one on God’s many faithful servants, he reminds us: ‘Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of (bore) a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who hath promised.’ (Heb.11:11) I know it’s not always easy to keep up that constant trust mih breddren, especially when many things in our lives are going wrong, but it’s essential that we do, for at least with that faith we have hope, but if we lose the faith, then the hope dies, and everything crashes. Bruh David in Psalm 40, a Praise for answered prayer, said it thus: ‘I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy LOVING-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation.’ (Ps.40:10) And Ethan the Ezrahite, in Psalm 89, God’s sure promises to David, had this to say: ‘I will sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.’ (Ps.89:1) Now listen to Peter, the rock on which Christ built His Church. And if anybody knows about this topic, he should. ‘Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.’ (1 Pet.4:19) Oh Friends, the Christian life is certainly a hard road we’ve chosen to travel, but remember that all worthy things are not easily gained, and involve some amount of struggle. And the excellent thing about being a servant of the Most High God Jehovah, is not only, ‘Faithful is he that calleth you,’ but ‘who also will do it.’ Yes mih kinfolk, our God not only calls us to do His will, but also enables us to do it. Bruh Paul explained this to the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil.1:6) Oh yes people, our God will certainly enable us perform all endeavours in His Name till Christ returns! And as Jesus told the group in Capernaum who asked Him: ‘What shall we do that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.’ (John 6:28-29) Yes my brethren, God’s work is for us to believe in His Son Jesus, whom He sent to die for us, so that He could reclaim our sinful souls. Let’s acknowledge Him in word and deed as our Lord and Saviour nuh, and go out and tell it to the entire world, as he asked us to do. That’s the Christian thing to do! (smile) And in closing Friends, it’s very important we realize that we’re not dealing with a wishy-washy, unreliable deity, but a strong, reliable, upstanding, righteous, and just God; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And if you don’t believe me, listen to what Jesus told Peter as they passed by the withered fig tree that Jesus had cursed, and Peter drew His attention to it: ‘Have faith in God.’ (Mark 11:22) Yes my people, four simple words from our Master that say a whole lot. Please take them to heart and walk in peace, LOVE and blessings, till we meet again tomorrow, God willing. Much LOVE!…faithful…faithful…faithful…forever faithful is our God…
SCRIP-BITS 