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ANCHOR OF THE SOUL, CONT….. ALSO: Along with the economic problems, there arises the personal problems, which in most cases are more damaging to the believer than many of the over all country problems.
However, we always arranged them in the reverse order from the way God lists them. MATTHEW 6:33, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. SING IN THE STORM Horatio Gates Spafford wrote a song called, "It is Well With My Soul". It was written in the Mid-Atlantic over the spot where his four children had drowned a few days before. His wife and children were sailing to France on the Ville du Haure, the most famous passenger vessel afloat in it's day. It was rammed by an English iron sailing vessel called, LOCHEARN. It sank to the bottom of the ocean within two hours, killing 226 people, Mrs. Spafford lived, but the four children were lost. Date was 11-22-1873, at two o'clock in the morning. Just weeks before this tragic drowning, Mr. Spafford lost everything he owned in the great Chicago fire. AND NOW, IF NOT TESTED ENOUGH, HE LOST ALL OF HIS CHILDREN. Nine days after the drowning, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband from Cardiff, Wales, only two words did she use…….SAVED ALONE. His immediate reply was; "I am so glad to trust the Lord when it will cost me something." As soon as it could be arranged, he sailed to Europe to join his wife. On the way, December, 1873, the Captain of the ship pointed out to him the spot where the tragedy had occurred. Here in the dark of the night, with a heart heavy with grief and pain, but surging with faith and HOPE, SPAFFORD WROTE THESE WORDS; When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrow like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul. *Paul said in Philippians 4:19, But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. *four thoughts on HOPE* 1- HOPE IS CREATIVE I mean by this, in what it does to and for the child of God. *Productive What could possibly make a Christian more productive than HOPE? *PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ILLUSTRATIVE IN SHEEP *PSALMS 23:6, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Through the entire twenty third Psalm, emphasis is placed upon the care exercised by the attentive shepherd. All of this is summed up here by the Psalmist in one brave but simple statement. *Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. No matter what comes, for now and always, he can be perfectly sure that goodness and mercy will be in the picture. The sheep reassures himself that he is ever under sound, sympathetic, intelligent ownership. Please continue Here …………. Wayside Baptist Church - 2002 |
