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When The Vine Dries Up ~ Joel 1:12
| Bro David Banda Yelulani
(Banket, Zimbabwe)
M
any Christians believe that they have
to be happy all the time. In one sense
this is true, for Christian joy should not be
dependent on favourable circumstances. In
another sense, however, we should not ignore
the harsh realities of life and pretend that
everything in the world is wonderful when,
clearly, it is not. The prophets of the Old
Testament discerned the root causes of
problems when other people were confidently,
but ignorantly, saying that all was well. Actu-
ally, all was not well, as Joel says: there are
times when the vine does dry up and the fig
tree withers.
There are times for us as well, when nature
seems to be out of joint. Rains fail to come
when they are needed, and there is a drought.
Then, again, too much rain falls and there are
floods. Economic turmoil leads to high interest
rates, inflation soars, or whole industries are
forced to close for whatever reason.
The difference then is that faith does not
panic. We should ask what God is showing us,
what He is teaching us and where He is leading
us. We should acknowledge that we need to
trust Him when the going is rough, perhaps
even more than when it is smooth. Jesus did
not abandon his faith even when the cross
loomed before him. He endured it for God’s
greater glory, and the world’s salvation.
The Value of a Smile
It costs nothing, but creates much
It enriches those who receive, without
impoverishing those who give
It happens in a flash and the memory of
it sometimes lives for ever
None are so rich that they can get along
without it, and none are so poor but are
richer for its benefits
It creates happiness in the home,
fosters goodwill in a business
and is the countersign of friends
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the
discouraged, sunshine to the sad and
nature's best antidote for trouble
Yet it cannot be bought, begged,
borrowed or stolen for it is something
that is no earthly good to anybody till
it is given away!
And if it ever happens that someone is
too tired to give you a smile, please
give him one of yours
For nobody needs a smile so much as
those who have none left to give
Author unknown
D
oubt and fear are the twin enemies of
faith. Sometimes they actually take the
place of faith, and although we continue to
pray, it is a restless, disquieted, uneasy
prayer that we offer. But doubts and fears
should never be accommodated. We must
take our eyes off ourselves. They should be
Doubts and Fears
removed from our own weakness and
allowed to rest fully on God’s strength. A
simple, confiding faith, living day by day, will
drive fear away. Faith is able to cast your
burdens onto God and not feel anxious about
the outcome. (E.M. Bounds)
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. Heb.10:35.