Facing the Vicissitudes of Life!

Hang in there. You’ll get through this. Keep on keeping on. We are pulling for you. We’re here for you. These are some of the slogans we use to encourage one another as we deal with the ups and downs faced in life. Perhaps you’ve had mostly placid pools of peace and tranquility, but for the rest of us, life can and often does confront us with challenges and storms. As we deal with these and observe others going through really tough situations, it is nothing short of inspiring to observe the strength found within the human psyche. God did a good job when He created the human family because that ‘something’ that tends to come forth when circumstances demand it, is remarkable to behold.

Often I hear people who lean on God during times of great challenge say out loud: “I just don’t know how others who do not know God make it during this kind of trouble.” They make it because God made us with inner strength and a tenacious will. It certainly is not His will that we go it alone or face trials by ourselves, but my way of seeing it says that even when people do it alone it’s only because of what He provided in them, and the evidence of their strength demonstrates, without acknowledging Him, His creative genius at work.

A few years ago I read a review of a book written by someone called an evolutionary anthropologist. The book was widely criticized because he put forth the thought that no one should be held accountable for doing what essentially is part of his or her natural design. Rape, murder, assault, and all other forms of aggression fit into this model that reflects how people conduct themselves in order to survive. In his view, society has somehow suppressed these instincts in most people but when they do show up, we wrongly punish those who are only acting out their innate urges. If nothing else I applaud this writer for painting a clear picture of exactly what it means to view life without God.

No God, no accountability. One of the greatest witnesses to God’s existence is conscience. Where did it come from? There’s literally no rationale for it to exist as part of any model of human development. On the other hand there’s much evidence that shows all people innately have some sense of right and wrong, even in isolated regions in far-flung places. The Psalmist declared: “The fool has said in his heart there is no God.” I can think of no better example of this than the book described above.

Yes, we can lean on human strength and depend on our own faculties which I believe to be formidable, but in so doing, in the end we will miss out on the part of our design that yearns to have fellowship with our Creator. He’s there whether we acknowledge Him or not and He desires to be our help in time of trouble. I’m thankful that He is real in my life and is always there. I can call on Him anytime and He will hear. A Gospel song written by Frederick Lehman in 1919 was one I heard quite often growing up. It will be corny to some but the message is what really counts. Since God is always ready to answer when we call, why not give Him a ring?

The Royal Telephone

Verse 1) Central’s never “busy,” always on the line;You may hear from Heaven almost any time;’Tis a royal service, free for one and all;When you get in trouble, give this royal line a call.

Chorus:


Telephone to glory, O what joy divine! I can feel the current moving on the line, Built by God the Father for His loved and own, We may talk to Jesus thru this royal telephone.


Verse 2) There will be no charges, telephone is free, It was built for service, just for you and me; There will be no waiting on this royal line, Telephone to glory always answers just in time.


Repeat Chorus


Verse 3) Fail to get the answer, Satan’s crossed your wire, By some strong delusion, or some base desire; Take away obstructions, God is on the throne, And you’ll get your answer thru this royal telephone.


Repeat Chorus


Verse 4) If your line is “grounded,” and connection true Has been lost with Jesus, tell you what to do; Prayer and faith and promise, mend the broken wire,’ Till your soul is burning with the Pentecostal fire.


Repeat Chorus

Verse 5) Carnal combinations cannot get control Of this line to glory, anchored in the soul; Storm and trial cannot disconnect the line, Held in constant keeping by the Father’s hand divine.

More later…………