Life is hard. It is! Mountain climbing is hard and dangerous. Trudging through desolate valleys can be stifling and extremely difficult. Enduring and surviving a storm can be traumatic.

Living life is often like navigating mountains, valleys and storms…but the Lord, who walks with you, makes it doable and valuable. It’s like singer/songwriter, Andre Crouch, said:

     I thank God for the mountains,

     and I thank Him for the valleys,

     I thank Him for the storms He brought me through.

     For if I’d never had a problem,

     I wouldn’t know God could solve them,

     I’d never know what faith in God could do.

So, yes…life is hard…but God is good!  And, oh yes…others are watching!

Psalm 31:14, 19-24 (NLT)

19 How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world. 20 You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues. 21 Praise the LORD, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. 22 In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the LORD !” But You heard my cry for mercy and answered my call for help. 23 Love the LORD, all you godly ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to Him, but He harshly punishes the arrogant. 24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!

“When you’re a Christian and you’re going through a great time of difficulty, you will notice that those around you who don’t know Jesus Christ—especially those you’ve shared your faith with before—will lean in extra close. Their ears perk up. They want to see if what you have advertised is going to prove true in the product demonstration. You told them that Jesus is the light of your world. Well, now your power has been cut, and they want to see if you can glow in the dark.” ~ Levi Lusko

The Lord bless you and keep you…

Pastor Dave