SCRIP-BITS

Psalm 119:50.    This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
 
Oh Friends, another day has dawned; dark, cloudy and rainy in my area, but my heart is bright and singing with joy, offering thanks and praise to the Most High God Jehovah. That’s because I’m alive, and though my circumstances can certainly be improved upon, yet I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear and food to eat; three basic things necessary for comfortable living, which a majority of the earth’s population so sadly lack. And you Friends, if you too have the basics for living, then please join with me and joyfully shout: ‘All praise be to thee O Lord, the great and generous God, who gives us all things that we may enjoy them, that we may also magnify and glorify your Holy Name! Amen!’ But Friends, even if we don’t have all the fixings for a comfortable life, even if we’re suffering and afflicted in serious ways, we still ought to give thanks, because we know for certain that the negative circumstances will eventually pass, and a new day of peace, health and prosperity will dawn in our lives. But to do that in a positive manner, we have to immerse ourselves in the Word, where all our hope, and all the promises of our God lie. Our Bit tells us that, but to understand it properly, we have to read the verses before and after it. ‘Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast cause me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me (given me life). The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined (turned aside) from thy law.’ (Ps.119:49-51) Yes my people, the unbelievers will laugh at and mock us when we stick to the Word during our times of affliction. But little do they know the awesome power that resides in the promises and pronouncements of Infinitely Everything! And all God’s people gratefully declared: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Thank Him for His faithfulness to the sinful children of men!’ Yes mih breddren, there’s nothing that cheers and comforts the hurting heart and brings upstanding hope to the sorrowful soul like the Word! Here are a couple of those encouraging passages. We all know those great, uplifting words of Bruh David from Psalm 27: ‘Wait (in faith) on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.’ (Ps.27:14) Oh Friends, if there’s one passage in the Good Book to live our lives by, that’s it! Just surrender your lives to the Lord and wait patiently on Him! We can do no greater thing! Now don’t forget Isaiah’s great promise on behalf of our God either. It’s another amazing piece of uplifting scripture: ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is.40:31) WOW! Truly words of wisdom and hope mih people! Though the world’s imploding and exploding around us, we ought not to fear and worry, for the Lord has promised to look after all those who trust in and wait on Him. And as usual Friends, I’m chuckling at the underhand tactics of the Spirit because He’s calling for a personal testimony. I never intended to divulge this current affliction, but I guess, in hindsight, that’s why He led me to that Bit, since my present situation falls squarely under it. One of my knees is acting up something terrible, causing me severe pain whether I’m walking, sitting, sleeping or standing, but the ole fella’s pressing on regardless. ‘Thanks be to God!’ Unfortunately I have another month to wait before I have surgery on it. And this is one time I’m certainly practicing what I’m preaching: I’m holding fast to the promises of the Word, knowing from personal experience that the Lord, for whatever reason, is doing a work in me, and that some day, if I stand steadfast and strong in faith, He will work everything out for my good. Oh Friends, the Lord has brought me through more painful situations than this, so why wouldn’t He continue to do so eh? The annoying thing about my old knee is that the pain’s so inconsistent and temperamental. One moment I’ll be going along fine, then all of a sudden I’ll shout out in agony, as I did a couple minutes ago, when a spasm of pain unexpectedly shoots through my knee. Another time, it’s just there constantly and nothing I do improves it. Steups! It’s so frustrating, that sometimes I querulously ask: ‘What now Lord? What’s the purpose? I don’t think I need to learn any lessons this might teach.’ Hn, hn! But the answer never satisfies me, for it’s always: ‘Take time mih lad, take time.’ So I just steups, sigh, grin and bear it. Can’t do anything else anyway. No Friends, it’s not easy, but if we have faith, even as a grain of mustard seed, we can do anything in God’s name! And we’ll end this stirring Bit with some more uplifting words, this time from Bruh Paul, on the bearing of infirmities, both our own and those of others, as he talks about unity in Christ. ‘We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities (weaknesses) of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let everyone of us please his neighbour for his good to edification (being built up). For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime (beforehand) were written for our learning, that we through patience (perseverance) and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation (comfort) grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (Rom. 15:1-6) And all God’s people raised their hands and eyes to heaven and joyfully shouted: ‘AMEN!’ Yes my brethren, for us to be successfully united in Christ, we must all bear the burdens of life, ours and those of other believers, hopefully, in faith, with patience and perseverance, using our Saviour as the glowing example. So let’s all pledge to do that nuh, so that our God can be glorified and magnified, for that’s our basic purpose here on earth. Till tomorrow then, God willing, please go in faith, hope, LOVE and peace. Much LOVE!…the greatest antidote for affliction…the Word…