A little while ago I sat down and having nothing else to do began thinking about recent events in my life. I have lived for a little more than four score years. That is a long time yet as I sat thinking about it, it’s not so long after all. I have known the bitter grief and agony of heart as friends and loved ones have slipped silently out into eternity The strength of earlier years has faded yea for the most part is gone. This old physical body is afflicted with medical problems galore. Every day begins with aches and pains and every day ends with aches and pains. Yes, I must confess, I am a little weary and tears have become a part of my life. As I think this, the thought occurs that I am not alone in this because it is probably safe to say that most, if not all of you, from time to time, become a little weary under the weight of burdens and cares common to all who now walk this pathway of life. There are the times of physical illnesses and afflictions of various kinds that cause our heads to bow and our steps to become slow (2 Corinthians 5:4). With all these thoughts echoing in my mind, suddenly I hear the Psalmist as he says, “Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee” (Psalms 38:9). All things are open and naked before the eyes of our God (Heb. 4:13), He knows and understands the trials we must go through (Heb. 4:14-15) and our cries for deliverance will not go unheard (Heb. 4:16).
Making our journey through life we will encounter adversities that will cause us to cry out “why”. Why this burden? Why this illness? Why this hardship? Why this death? I cannot answer except to say that the God into whose hands we have entrusted our lives does know and so long as we serve and trust him faithfully he will safely guide us through each day (Psalms 23, Isa. 12:2-3). Yes, the journey has been long, often the way has been difficult and now as the shadows begin to lengthen, I am weary and do groan in this earthly tabernacle but with all my heart I believe the refrain of one of our grand old hymns says it best: “Be not dismayed what-e’er be-tide, God will take care of you; Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, Thro’ every day, O’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you”. I pray that God’s love will surround all of us and that he will bless each of us with the strength and courage that will sustain us each day of the rest of our lives on this side of eternity.
May each of you ever prosper and be in good health even as your soul prospers (3 John 1).
Charles Hicks