Friday, April 17, 2026
Tim Cruse | April 17, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
Friday, April 17
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” —Isaiah 43:2
A preacher told the story of a grizzly attacking a hiker and mauling him badly. He said, “The hiker had heard of the wonder and beauty of the mountains of Montana and drove across the country from North Carolina to experience them for himself. Interviewed from his hospital bed, he said, ‘I’m never coming back to this place!’ He didn’t know that wonder and beauty can also be dangerous.”
We who rightly get caught up with the glories and beauties of the Lord Jesus Christ often times fail to realize the times of proving, testing and temptation that will be a part of serving Him and doing His will. We must purpose in those times to resist disillusionment and unbelief. We then will be able to learn firsthand that He is faithful as He has promised and that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
I remember a time when I was dealing with persistent, deep sadness from prolonged depletion and exhaustion within my soul (it was actually dealing with me). Unending pressure from within and without left me totally drained and dry.
In the darkness and silence of my settled grief, all I could do was but whisper prayers at times to the Lord. One of those prayers I remember was:
“God only you can recover, restore, redeem and resurrect this situation, and what you put in my heart.”
Not only had He helped me before, but I believed that He could and would help me again. And, He did. With the Apostle Paul I then could say, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day…” —Acts 26:22
I want to encourage you to continue today — to “keep going” as Dr. Lee Roberson often exhorted me to. When you think you cannot continue, remember why you started. Remember Who you started for and with as you were captured and compelled by Calvary’s love.
You are loved and prayed for.
Sincerely,
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