Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Sent: Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:52:39 -0500
To: "Smith, Lynn " <lsmith20@Central.UH.EDU>
Subject: Morning Manna Aug. 18-BP: Jer. 12; RBTTY: I Cor. 1; Ps. 100-102
August 18 “What Will You Do?”
“If you have run with footmen and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And, if in the land of peace, wherein you trust, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of
Jeremiah 12:5
The struggles of faith today are preparation for the challenges of tomorrow.
“No pain, no gain.”
Those are the words so often heard in athletic circles as coaches stretch their players to the limit. They know none of their athletes enjoy doing 10 more pushups or 25 more sit-ups or five more wind-sprints or two more laps around the track.
Yet, these “pushing beyond the limits,” conditioning exercises build both endurance and confidence: Endurance to go farther than you would otherwise and confidence that you’ll not “fizzle before the finish.”
And, so it is with the walk of faith.
So often we wave the white flag of surrender long before the battle’s over. In fact, quite often, when we’re tempted to wave it, we may be very close to finally breaking through or winning over.
Thus, God’s reply to Jeremiah in today’s Manna is definitely needed in this day when increasing problems and pressures are tempting us to throw in the towel and say “Enough already!” or “What’s the use?”
Oh, dear Pilgrim, the battle’s always the hottest on the front lines. Initially—and, maybe, for days on end—we fight valiantly and diligently against the foe. Then, slowly, but surely, we begin wearing down. . .mentally, emotionally, physically and even spiritually. . .and wonder when our time of R&R will come.
Then, the Lord whispers, “If you’ve grown weary while running with the infantry, what are you going to do when the cavalry arrives? And, if you’ve found it hard to press on when the ground’s been level and few obstacles, what are you going to do when the road leads uphill and the
We whisper back, “Don’t tell me that, Lord.”
But, tell us that He must—for we are in preparation for our glorious reign with Him in that “House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (II Cor. 5:1). We reach what we think are our limits and He says, “Come down”—so, we come down. Soon, like a marathon runner, we “hit the wall” and He says “Run further.” And, then, when our strength is depleted and our resources (in every way) are exhausted, we say “No more” and He says “Press on” (Phil. 3:14).
“I can’t,” we cry.
“But, I can,” He replies. “Trust Me” (II Cor. 12:9-10).
So, press on, Pilgrim—it’s not long until the Finish Line. And, how glorious when we hear Him say, “Well done. Enter now into My eternal joy” (Mt. 25:21; II Tim. 4:7-8).
Thanks,
Mr. Lynn M. Smith
Department Business Administrator
Department of Economics
204C McElhinney Hall
(713) 743-3802 (office)
(713) 743-3798 (fax)
LSmith20@central.uh.edu (email)
http://www.class.uh.edu/econ/ (department website)
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