For who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10
In rebuilding the house of the Lord, Zerubbabel had labored in the face of manifold difficulties. From the beginning, adversaries had “weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,” “and made them to cease by force and power.” But the Lord had interposed in behalf of the builders, and now He spoke through His prophet to Zerubbabel, saying, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.”
Throughout the history of God’s people great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit. The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power. Before the demand of faith, the obstacles placed by Satan across the pathway of the Christian will disappear; for the powers of heaven will come to his aid. “Nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
The way of the world is to begin with pomp and boasting. God’s way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness. Sometimes He trains His workers by bringing to them disappointment and apparent failure. It is His purpose that they shall learn to master difficulties.
Often men are tempted to falter before the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make the way clear…. Before the intrepid spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains of difficulty will become a plain; and he whose hands have laid the foundation, even “his hands shall also finish it.”
Conflict and Courage p. 258
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Prayer Requests
—–Eileen has an MRI today to see why she is healing so slowly. Please keep her in prayer. Rose
—–Please pray for a 22 month old that accidentally shot himself in the chest with a construction nail gun. The nail pierced his heart. He is not doing well. Please pray for him and his family. Diane
—–Please pray for God to soften my husband’s heart and just come with me today to go and see my poor mother who just got out of the hospital and has some severe health issues. Connie
—–Keep Alabama and the other states that will be effected by severe weather especially Etowah County, Alabama, for threat of tornadoes. Pray for GOD’S protection. Mark
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Dear Friends,

This past weekend, as Ron and I were driving home from Oklahoma, I saw a sign that reminded me of something that had happened almost fifty years ago. Ron and I had been married about two or three years when we got a call from my mother saying that she was taking some vacation time and would like to come and see me. We were living with Ron’s parents at the time in an old farm house near Hubbard Lake, Michigan. My mother told me that she needed directions to get there. We told her the easiest way to go and cautioned her to follow our directions exactly. We lived about a half mile off from Hubbard Lake Road, but before she got to that road, she would see another road with a similar name. We cautioned her not to take Hubbard Lake Trail. It was just that—a trail. It was a shortcut that could be used in summer, but since it was in the spring, that dirt trail would be very muddy and almost impassable. She assured me that she would follow our directions exactly.

As my mother drove the five hour trip between her house and my in-law’s, she got very tired. Nearing her destination, she was really getting anxious to get to our place. There, on a road sign, were the words, “Hubbard Lake Trail.” Forgetting all about my words of caution, she turned on that road. At first the narrow, dirt road seemed fine, but before long it became a muddy mess. The tires of her old Dodge made deep ruts in the soft mud. In some places she had to really “gun” the engine to keep from getting stuck. She became alarmed as she began to remember our admonition, “Do not turn onto Hubbard Lake Trail. It is impassable this time of year.” Now she could see why we had warned her, but it was too late. “Fishtailing” the car kept going farther and farther through the woods. She passed by deer that were very close to the road. They just stared at her. She imagined they were wondering why anyone would be so stupid as to try to drive on that one lane trail after a rain. She was terrified. She was sure that she would get stuck and no one would find her until it was too late. She began to pray and kept on slipping and sliding along.

After what seemed like an eternity, the road began to widen and was not so muddy. Soon she found herself out of the difficult driving and turned onto a paved road. She was exhausted from the drive and the stress, but she was thankful to have made it through safely. If she had gotten stuck, it is hard to say when someone would have been along because everyone knew not to take that road in the spring.

In His mercy, God has given us directions as to which road of life we are to take. Unlike my mother’s situation, however, we are to take the narrow way. Jesus bids us, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt 7:13,14

How vital to our future happiness it is that we find the right path. How important it is that we not trust our feelings to know which road we are to travel. We cannot listen to others as they bid us follow their leading. Solomon observes, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12 David tells us, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.” Ps 119:9,10 Here is the place to find the road that leads to eternal life. We may find the path to Heaven in God’s Holy Word!

The evil one has many counterfeit roads. He is constantly tempting us to travel down one of his paths. If we do, it will get us into much trouble. The paths the evil one offers only bring emptiness and heartache. Peter warns, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8,9 How critical it is for our future happiness to spend time in studying God’s great Direction Book that we may know the right way. David tells us, “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Ps 119:11 Paul advises, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 Here is our only safety.

May we determine to spend time each day reading God’s Holy Word that we may know the right path. May we daily ask Him for the guidance we so much need. May we place our hand in His loving hand and allow Him to lead us all the way to His Heavenly Kingdom is my prayer.

Rose

Obstacles a Test of Faith
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