Anchor of HopeSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: At times you are pushed to the limits of sorrow and distress. At such times you seek man's help and are disappointed in some cases. But it is God's will that His child should rejoice in Him in all situations. Paul, the beloved servant and apostle of the Lord, and his colleagues Silas were once beaten with rods, thrown into prison with their feet fastened in the stocks. At midnight, little mindful of their physical torture and mental agony, they set their eyes on the Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth as King David did when he said, "I will lift up my eyes to the hills; from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1,2). Their trust in Him made them rejoice and burst into songs of praise to the Lord. He who inhabits the praises of Israel (Psalm 22:3) delivered them from bondage and released them miraculously.
Friend, only when you put all your trust in God and have full confident that God can do wonders in your life. No matter how hard the situation may be, you will automatically start rejoicing in the Lord. You will stop worrying about how you are going to come out of the hard times.
I would like to encourage you through the real lifetime incident that shook the faith of our entire family and how God helped us to rejoice in Him even amidst sorrow. When we were taken to the funeral service of our daughter Angel, I was heart-broken with sorrow. Yet, suppressing it within me, I went to the room where my daughter lay dead. On seeing her dead body, I was urged to shout aloud in my agony. But, the Holy Spirit within me restrained me, saying, "My daughter, be calm and quiet! Look only at Me." A divine calm and peace filled my heart. During the funeral service, Pastor Sundaram, our precious friend at all times, preached a sermon on the theme, 'The devout and righteous man is mocked at'. He said, "Our child is not here now. She is with God. So, we should not weep. Confident of her being with our Lord as a princess in heaven, we should joyfully say, "Hallelujah"!. My hands went up even without my knowledge and "Hallelujah" proceeded from the depth of my heart.
My only daughter, brought up with love and tenderness for 17 years is not going to be with me any longer. Yet, even in the midst of that agony we had an anchor of hope. Even today, when I think of her, streams of tears well up out of my heart. Yet, when I look up to Jesus, I receive a divine comfort and peace that fills my heart.
My dear friend, are you passing through such pain and distress>? Be established in the Lord! Make a covenant with Him, "Lord! You should dwell with me. All that I say or do must be pleasing in Your sight." The Lord who has led me by His hand all these years will lead you as well. Be established in faith. Receive the divine love through the Holy Spirit. Man may assail you. Yet, the Holy Spirit will keep on pouring His love within you. That love will be overflowing in your heart, enabling you to love everyone around you, even your enemies.
Like St.Paul praised the Lord, and King David learnt to praise the Lord amidst perils and persecution, let us commit ourselves to praise His good name always. Pray everyday with fear and devotion. The Lord who established the house of David will establish your life as well. He will never allow you to be assailed. He is your anchor of hope.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
You alone are my God. The world may add more agony and sorrow in my life, but You are my anchor of hope. Father, fill me with Your divine comfort and fill me with peace and joy so that I may rejoice in You always. Let Your name be glorified through my life. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen. |