John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
The song, "Even If" written by Mercy Me is a song that describes the human condition of life in a fallen world. We are all subject to times of despair and tragedy. We all have our fair share of trials and tribulations. We all face criticism and persecutions from time to time. But regardless of the storms we enter, or the rocky paths we have to negotiate in life's journey, we can live with a greater confidence within us to know that God will not abandon us in those difficult moments.
In the song's lyrics of the first stanza and chorus, Bart Millard of Mercy Me, penned these words from a reflection in the difficulties of his own life. He wrote this song in response to a bad day and Bart's son's chronic battle with diabetes.
They say sometimes you win some
Sometimes you lose some
And right now, right now I'm losing bad
I've stood on this stage night after night
Reminding the broken it'll be alright
But right now, oh right now I just can't
It's easy to sing
When there's nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I'm held to the flame
Like I am right now
I know You're able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone
Bart knew in his heart that no mater how bad this life can get, if we trust God in complete faith, He will help us cope and live through our most difficult moments.
I am also learning to live with setbacks, the difficulties of ministry, the challenges of family, and the struggles of my own sin. It's not easy. It never has been easy. But I cannot, for one minute, believe that without Jesus, I could ever survive some of the most tragic moments in my life. I would have surely given up and fall to unrecoverable despair a long time ago.
My faith tells me that even if... I go through severe storms and lose it all... God is still by my side and providing the pathway, through hope, faith and love, so I can go on in this life and live with that exceeding joy He promised me from the day I said, 'yes' to Him!
As long as we cling to the Vine (Jesus) in hope and faith, there is no mountain high enough or river wide enough, or valley low enough to keep us from being destroyed... even if!
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Tom
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