Our Helper and our Hope

This morning as I was reading Psalm 146 I was thinking how appropriate it is for today. People are hurting. Times are tough for many and there seems to be a lot of just plain fear out there. The New Living Translation both begins and ends this Psalm with the three words; “Praise the Lord!” An ideal way to begin and end each day also. My attention was especially drawn to verses 3-5:

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help there.
When their breathing stops, they
return to the earth,
and in a moment all their plans
come to an end.
But happy are those who have the God
of Israel as their helper;
whose hope is in the LORD their God.

A good reminder in these times of uncertainty…and always. Keeping our confidence and hope in the right person. Aren’t we blessed to have such a helper available?

Sunday we enjoyed having Ruth Graham (daughter of Billy & Ruth) speak in our class. Using John 21:1-17 as her text, she gave us much to ponder. A couple of thoughts that have stuck in my mind are; “It’s not about possessing all of the qualifications to serve, but rather being broken enough to serve.” Also: “The abundant Christian’s life is through struggles, not around them.”

Dear friends Joe and John continue facing very difficult struggles with cancer. Joe is experiencing severe pain and is considering the possibility of entering a study which could help others and also may relieve his pain. John had a radiation treatment Sunday morning and will have a total of ten before evaluating the possibility of adding chemo infusions. These are days of struggle for both them, their wives and their families. Please continue to lift them up to the ONE who is both our helper and our hope.

Thank you Lord that we need not face our struggles alone.

Love to you all,

Chuck