In This Issue:
He Will Help
He Will Carry You
Better, If Broken
Fixer of Broken Things
Volume: 797 February 15, 2021
Theme: Dealing with Difficulties
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He Will Help
Bill Brinkworth
Life can be rough, even for Christians. We may face financial hardships, physical problems, relationship challenges, and hosts of other types of trials.
What does one do? Where can one run? How can a great burden of grief or heartbreak be tolerated that seems so impossible to carry?
In the Bible, we are told that, as heavy as one’s problems weigh on us, God will not allow one more than one can bear. Whatever we face, God will only let us go through what we can handle with His help. Somehow, the trials many are facing can be endured.
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13
With the confidence that God will help, the next avenue of relief from trials and tribulations is prayer. Be thankful for what you do have, ask God to help, and hang on by faith that He will intervene!
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6
After knowing that God will help us through hard times and seeking His aid in the time of need, there is one more area that must be handled. That area is one’s thought life.
If there is any “strength or moral goodness” (virtues), allow your mind to have only the right thoughts.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
Do not allow yourself to think about what could happen or things that are not true, not right, filthy, unrighteous, bad news, scary, and frightening. Doing so will never help; it will always make matters worse.
Christian, you have the mind of Christ. Do not fill it with worldly thoughts because the dark things of this world will only try to put out your “light.” Keep your eyes and mind on the things of God, and let God handle them!
“O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free!
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
From Helen Lemmel’s hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”
He Will Carry You
D. L. Moody
I think of Christ as a burden bearer.
A minister was moving his library upstairs. As the minister was going up the stairs with his load of books, his little boy came in and was very anxious to help his father.
His father told him to go and get an armful and take them upstairs. When the father returned, he met the little fellow halfway up, tugging away with the biggest in the library. He could not manage to carry it. The book was too big, so he sat down and cried.
His father found him, took him in his arms, book and all, and carried him to where the books were put. So, Christ will carry you and all your burdens.
Better, If Broken
Dr. J. Hamilton, 1871
- It is the broken ground that needs to be opened up for the reception of seed, which springs up and brings forth fruit abundantly.
- It is the broken cloud that discharges its showers that usher in the spring and cheer the thirsty ground.
- It is the broken corn that is separated from the chaff and laid up in the garner of the husbandman that saved lives from starvation.
- It is the broken berries that the olive press’s millstones have crushed and give forth a precious oil that fills lamps that brings light to the darkness.
- It was the broken alabaster box from which the poor penitent woman anointed the Savior’s feet and its contents, which filled the whole house with the odor of the precious spikenard perfume.
- It was Christ’s broken body, which was nailed to the cross and the spear of an enemy that furnished the blood that cleanses all souls from sin.
- It is the broken veil of the temple that opened to us the Holiest of all and allows the believing soul to go directly to the Lord in prayer.
- It was the broken grave that announced the reality of the resurrection and proclaimed to the unbelieving disciple that the Saviour was risen.
So, it is with Christians. It is by means of breaking and the crushing processes to which the providence of God subjects them that they will become the spiritual salt of the Earth and the lights of this world
Fixer of Broken Things
Bill Brinkworth
As a child, when something was broken, an adult would fix it. It seemed whatever happened, an older person, be it a parent, teacher, or neighbor, could easily solve the problem that troubled us younger folk.
As I got older, there were problems that an adult could not fix. They tried and gave it their best attempt, but their solutions often did not work. They often shook their heads and admitted they had the same thing broken in their own lives and did not know how to repair it for themselves.
After I was saved, I learned that there was one that could fix situations and dilemmas that no other could fix. It was not the psychiatrist, for they had their unfixable problems. It was not the doctors’ pills, for they often fixed only the symptoms and not the root of the problem. It was not the teachers’ wisdom, for many of them had no idea or experience to fix many of the traumas one faced in life. It was the wisdom delivered by God that could fix anything!
“Unfixable” things could be fixed by following the advice in God’s Word, heard from the preaching of His Word, or even gleaned from Bible-explaining writings. His wisdom has helped billions upon billions. Our heavenly Father has raised trillions. His advice, when obeyed, can fix many broken things in our lives. His Word advises us how to fix:
Broken hearts and feelings:
“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalms 34:18
He can be close to those that have had their hearts broken by tragedy, rejection, or disappointment. Not only can He be with you when you go through the valley of despair, but He can also help you get the victory.
Broken confidences:
“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” Psalms 9:10
Others may fail you, but God never will neglect one of His children. He promises, “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5b)
Broken Lives:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17
If you have come to a point in your life where you have realized you have messed up your life, God can change you from the inside out and give you a second chance.
Broken fellowships, relationships, and even a broken body of poor health:
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37
When all earthly hope seems to have vanished, there is a God that can do anything and can change any situation.
Not all things that are “broken” should be fixed. There are times things need to stay broken and discarded. Sometimes they are allowed to be “broken” because if something is not changed, our lives will not be what they should or could be. That is why God’s wise help is the only one we should seek.
God loves us and desires what is good for us and our relationship with Him. His intervention and direction are always the best.
If God’s discernment is that something broken in our lives needs fixing, He is the one that can remedy the situation. If it is best for you and God’s will, God can be the fixer of what is broken in your life. There is hope!
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:2-5