(Note to my readers: My new book, “Inspirations for the Troubled Soul,” is now available. Follow the link to the right of this page if you would like more info or to place an order. If you don’t want to order online I will have copies available in about a week. Books are $10.00; however, I offer a discount when you purchase more than one copy; $5.00 for each additional book purchased. Please email me at dkbsoulman@gmail.com to request a copy, or write to me at:
Dan Birchfield
72 Lawson Road
Bristol, VA 24201
Please include your address, and a check payable to me for the corresponding number of books ordered. Thanks!)
And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. -Genesis 8:20, 21 (KJV)
My father tells the story of how one night as a boy in eastern Kentucky the sky was lit up with the rare event of the Northern Lights. Many people of the region, unfamiliar with this natural occurrence, became concerned and fearful. Many even believed the end of the world was at hand. My grandfather, who was a devout Christian and God-fearing man, was outside watching the sky. He knew this was the Northern Lights, yet many of the neighbors were unaware of this phenomenon. My grandfather’s neighbor, an unbeliever, approached and asked his thoughts about what was happening. As the story goes, my grandfather said to him, “No more water, but fire this time.” The comment left the man even more frightened, yet contemplating the condition of his soul.
The Bible says after the flood Noah and his family came out of the ark and Noah’s first course was to thank God and offer a sacrifice. The Lord accepted Noah’s sacrifice and made a covenant with him that He would never again destroy the world with water, the sign of which is signified by the rainbow. Consider how Noah was strengthened in his commitment to God, and even though he was human and prone to weaknesses, he was no doubt empowered to move forward and do all the Lord called him to accomplish. Those days on the ark were a time of testing and waiting on the Lord. That period gave Noah new-found strength for meeting the demands which waited when the flood was over.
Anytime we get away and spend time with the Lord we will find spiritual strength and resolve for meeting the demands which lie ahead. The Word of God says for us to commit our way to the Lord and He will establish us in His will (Psalm 37:5, 6). As followers of Christ we are called by God to take our relationship with Him with the utmost seriousness. Make time each day to pray and seek the Lord. Delve deeply into God’s Word, feast daily upon its riches, and you will then grow and mature in the faith. Challenges, problems, crises, and demands lie ahead, yet in Christ we find the strength to move forward in faith and confidence.
What are you facing right now which is causing you stress, worry, and fear? Resolve to trust the Lord, seek Him in prayer, and meditate daily on His Holy Word. The problem will not disappear, yet you will find strength and courage to meet it, whatever it is, head on.
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