January 29, 2000 - Hard Times

"Shall I not drink from the cup that the Father has given me." According the gospels, those are the some of the many words that Christ spoke while He was here on earth. I understand it all now.

Sometimes in life we are faced with situations that seem almost impossible to concieve. We get caught up in circumstances and drowned in the midst of oppression...wondering..."Ok..what did I do this time." I have personally been in some sticky situation where I didn't know where to go or who to turn to. Even in this, I will be the first person to admit, that more times than I would like to admit, I've deen a little closer than comfort with death. And much life everyone else...I've wondered...how much worse can it get...how much more can I take? Sound familar?

But think about it...shall we not drink from the cup that the Father has given us? Just as Jesus knew the things that He would face, Our Father in Heaven knows the things that we are soon to face. Accept what God allows because surely the creator of all things knows what He is doing. God does not place dice with the universe, and I can tell you from personal experience...God knows exactly what He is doing, and He has promised us that He would not put more on us that we can bare. In my own life...I have seen God keep that promise...and I know that He always will. Think about it like this...God knows who you are, where you've been, what you can handle, the things that you are dealing with and the very desires of your own heart. He created you and knows you better than you know your ownself. Most importantly...He loves you, just as He loves me.

The road of life may get tough sometimes, and I suspect that there will be many times in your life when you are literally caught between a rock and a hard place...but "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." Troubles don't last always....if they did...happiness and peace would exist at all. If you ever think that you are loosing control, or that you just can't take it anymore...trust me when I say, that no matter how bad it seems, or how devastating the situation or the circumstances... God does not abandon His people, and things will get better. They always do! Haven't they always?

If you are dealing with a sticky situation, feel like giving up, or simply don't know where to turn to....look up beyond to the hills from which cometh your help. Your help comes from the Lord. God is not slack concerning His promises...and whatever He promises...He is able to do that for you.

I've been down some long dark roads, and even now I'm dealing with some of the most stressful situations I've ever had to face...but God is good, and His grace and mercy endures forever. God has not forsaken me, and He promises that He will never forsake any of us. He is always there...waiting for us to ask for His help.

Listen closely...because right now, at this moment, maybe God is whispering your name.....

- Michael Burden Jr