Devoted to sharing the Word of God - in uplifting, informative and encouraging posts.
" It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

Tuesday 17 August 2021

This Too Shall Pass

Dear ones, does it feel all dark, so overwhelming at times? 

When you go to pray, does it feel empty, you know not  where to start?

We live in such a sad, broken world. 

Saints before us have trod this path, as Jesus Himself said: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have PEACE. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation, but BUT be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Below is a prayer by a German in World War 2, fighting for the right, in prison for Christ, weak, feeble.. in the Bonhoeffer movie this was a prayer he prayed with a young man weeping inconsolably in the cell next door. Bonhoeffer cried out to him, the guard remonstrated at first, then allowed him to speak. Dietrich put his outstretched arms raised on the wall, he told the young man to do likewise,  and prayed this prayer he'd written with him. 

"In me there is darkness,
But with You there is light;
I am lonely, but You do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with You there is help;
I am restless, but with You there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with You there is patience;
I do not understand Your ways,
But You know the way for me.”

“Lord Jesus Christ,
You were poor
And in distress, a captive and forsaken as I am.
You know all man’s troubles;
You abide with me
When all men fail me;
You remember and seek me;
It is Your will that I should know You
And turn to You.
Lord, I hear Your call and follow;
Help me.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison.

The youth was quiet after praying that prayer, line by line repeating Pastor Bonhoeffer’s words, at peace at his death. Impressed, the guard asked that a copy might be given to help the other prisoners. 

Bonhoeffer died one month before war's end, like other good Germans who tried to bring down Hitler. (For brief moving biography, see this link here).

This too shall pass, or more truly as the bible says, it "..is but for a moment”. 

The persecution in first century believers by Caligula, Nero, then onto Tyndale, Wycliffe for bible translation: the dark depths of Dark ages, with many plagues, the fire of London, which purged the mice causing the plague! All is God at work.

God alone brings good from bad.

 What seemingly is trial upon trial, all of it has a higher Heavenly purpose!

We serve a suffering Saviour, as He suffered, so do we. The servant is not greater than his Master.

Moving on into 20th century, the war to end all wars, World War 1. Followed swiftly by the Spanish flu which killed 50+ million worldwide. Many more than current Covid-19 deaths of 4 million worldwide (world average death rate of approx 1 to 2% of those infected from Covid-19). Aust. as of today has had 965 deaths (820 in Victoria) from Covid-19. In a much smaller 1918 Aust population - 55,000 died with 1918/19 influenza, and 40% of population fell ill with it. History truly gives us a clearer perspective than the daily news.

Then in World War 2 came such dreadful minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years of overwhelming darkness.

 Yes! 

Now though for some is deep darkness, praying much for the grief of poor nations like Afghanistan, that is real sorrow of heart.. but such grief, despair surely drives the spiritually hungry to seek the One Who alone is truth. 

We, who believe in the Living God, it should cause us to pray more earnestly for them, all of them, their salvation and for ourselves. 

Look not in, but wholeheartedly out and up.. that is a Godward look


“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Gal 6:3

"This too shall pass" can be said of it all, till Christ comes. Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

Paul knew well that fact,  as he penned these words, it "..is but for a moment"...

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

In Pauline fashion we are pointed to Christ, our Saviour, and to the Heavenlies where, by salvation we are now seated (link to Eph 2:4-6) and thus to ETERNITY.

Yes, let us keep our eyes 👀 on ETERNAL things. 

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.." Heb 12:2

This flesh and the place we physically inhabit, mercifully it is a temporary thing, "it is but for a moment", it will pass .. in the twinkling of an eye! (see 1 Cor 15:52)

So when you enter the closet of your heart to pray ... and your heart fails you for fear! 

Go to the living Word, praying as Jesus' disciples did, "Lord, teach us to pray". Therein read, feed, heed and pray the scriptures you love, or those which challenge you! I have many prayers in notes in my online bible, all are based on a verse or scripture passage, which daily I pray as able. 

God's Word is our very foundation, it must be the woven into the very fabric of our Christian walk. It is the basis for all our communication in prayer with our Heavenly Father.

Start simply as a stumbling little child, as Dietrich did.. stating the obvious THEN looking to what we have in Christ.. Our Lord, our Anchor, our Stronghold in time of trouble. God loves it when we cling to Him.

If not showing. Hymn link here.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land,
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

The Lord's our Rock, in him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm

A shade by day, defense by night
,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be thou our helper ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Hymn by Vernon J. Charlesworth

So as we go to pray, in the constant, frequent moments of our day, let us remember to pray, simply as a child, resting in, clinging to our Rock, our Hope of salvation. 

Without Christ, the world is a scary place (as that young weeping prisoner found). 

Christ is HOPE fulfilled. 

Praying for you today, in whatever you maybe facing in your life, or in the lives of those you love, remembering with you that our wonderful Father God is only ever a prayer away! Surely He giveth more grace!

Grace for the day, and strength for the way!

Thanks to all who pop across to read this blog and Thank YOU, too if you’re able to leave some love and encouragement.
Prayer hugs,🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz. X

PS. Bonhoeffer movie link Here.

Below is a prayer from the Common Book of Prayer. Those who penned these prayers gave their blood for their faith: as applicable now as then. Note how scripture is woven in, as it was in Bonhoeffer’s prayer.

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8 comments:

Anne said...

We do not know what is happening, our ordered lives are out of sync. WWll saw this country, (France), under occupation, many remember what it was like. Stone crosses are everywhere, remembering the death of resistant workers, churches have plaques and memorials to those who fought in many wars. The current pandemic has shown how little regard for others some have, needing their 'rights' to have fun and go on holidays. During the war, many Jews were hidden away, some for the whole duration of the war whilst young men in occupied nations dressed up as women for fear of being caught and sent to labour camps. They did not risk their lives for a holiday or some 'fun time'. How little we have learned from history, how little we put our trust in God. So your encouraging post, which focuses on the Sovereignty of God, is very welcome. I love the Bonhoeffer story and prayer, very encouraging!

Sunshine Country said...

This was an encouragement to me this morning. Thank you so much for sharing, I needed this.

Martha Jane Orlando said...

This prayer of Bonhoeffer was so uplifting and comforting to me, Shaz. He truly understood, and could communicate, God's love, peace and grace to others.
Blessings, and let's keep praying for this fallen world!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Such a good story you shared. Many things in our world have become so sad, especially what's happening in Afghanistan and Haiti. Then our daughter went to help as a fire fighter rehab Monday afternoon. Two alarm fire at food bank here in town. Smoke coming out of the attic and roof on south side is messed up and front side under roof has a few holes on it. Hopefully all the food wasn't destroyed. It's a place for people to pick up food if you are out of money, poor, homeless. She was gone almost 3 hours. All of fire fighters good even though one needed oxygen for a bit. Man was found who started the fire. I feel so blessed by reading your blog post today. Blessings my friend,Becky
https://grandmabeckyl.blogspot.com

Cheryl said...

Like the other commenters, I appreciate your post today, Shaz. My heart is heavy tonight - as if the worldwide problems were not enough, my long-term health struggles leave me so weary and crying out to God for healing. So much on our hearts in these troubled times, and as the song says, "If it wasn't for the Lord, tell me what would I do?" God bless you and keep you - I hear it is so bad in Australia, as far as totalitarianism, etc. God help us all.

kiwimeskreations said...

Thank you Shaz - this was so encouraging to me today - I was unsettled due to the new lockdown and spread of the virus here..... had put my eyes on what was around me, not on the Lord.
Bless you for your timely post
Stay safe
Blessings
Maxine

Betsy said...

My dear sister, I thank you for this post today. The time and research you put into each post in order to give us the Lord's WORD for today and hope for tomorrow. As others have said, I too, have appreciated the Bonhoeffer story and the hope he shared with other prisoners. I have played the hymn several times. What a blessing. Thank you for sharing with us today as we have to live in such an angry, hurting world. We must always remember that our Lord is there for us to reach out to and feel His love through every moment of every day, but especially in times of storms.
Blessings and love always,
Betsy

Brenda said...

This post is perfect for the state of the world today and it's current events. I enjoyed reading this and it is perfect to get our sights back to where they should be....on the Lord. I don't know how people can not pray to our Lord, especially now. I feel calmer when I pray, I feel peace when I pray, I feel protected when I pray. This post is a blessing to many of us!!! Thank you for sharing with us this post. Maybe if we all prayed more and loved each more, this world wouldn't be hurting and so angry. It is so ridiculous that we are fighting over whether to be vaccinated or not to be or to wear a mask or not wear a mask. Just love one another regardless of your choice. Prayer and love please. Love you dear sis, Brenda