Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. Psalm 55:22 KJV
“This too shall pass” is not found in the Bible. It’s in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Scripture does offer comfort and encouragement by expressing this truth in different words.
“It came to pass” appears thousands of times in the King James Version. One man testified, “When I’m pestered with trouble and difficulty, I pick up the blessed book of the living God, and I never read very far before I come across those words ‘It came to pass.’ Then I say ‘praise the Lord! I’m glad it didn’t come to stay, it came to pass!’” Though a misinterpretation of the literal meaning, truth he celebrated instills hope in hearts going through hard times.
The apostle Paul was inspired to write, “Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now, rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT).
Though life is pleasant in many ways, sometimes we “walk in the midst of trouble” (Psalm 138:7). Yet difficulties are parenthetical—they’ll all be behind us when we live in a tearless, painless, deathless, sinless place.
Gracie Allen wrote “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.” Troubles we endure now will soon be history. Glory will make us forget gloom. Paradise will eradicate pain. All creation will celebrate total freedom, alongside the redeemed.
We should not let winter freeze our hope—spring’s just around the corner. When God’s New World Symphony is debuted, the universe will stand to its feet in thunderous applause.
In his book The Passing of the Night, Robinson Risner, senior POW in Vietnam, recounts seeing a single blade of grass through a crack in his cell wall that sustained him for months. If we treasure the promises of God, faith will sustain us as we travel rough roads.
“Well get through this together” is something we hear frequently during this COVID-19 pandemic. There’s comfort in shared frustration, but we have a Helper infinitely better than other humans. To get through this, we can do better than a DIY approach—we can draw nearer to God in prayer and find strength and courage. After this unnerving time has come to pass, we will praise the Lord for helping us. We might even say to one another, “I’m glad it didn’t come to stay!”
It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed. PSALM 77:10 NRSV
Crying to a Good Source is a sincere quest.
Hold nothing back—let your tears flow freely in My Presence.
When you are in deep trouble, reach for the Most High God.
Pray all night long, if you feel the need—I bless desperation.
You need My Presence more than sleep—only in Me can you rest.
I hear your problems.
Urgent faith consoles you in life’s search.
Contemplating a grievous situation raises serious questions.
The difference between your sad now and your happy then hurts.
The good old days seem to never repeat themselves.
Your heart aches pondering the apparent absence of My love.
Heavy questions bother your mind and burden your soul.
Never forget—the Comforter will not leave you.
Never doubt—the Encourager will not orphan you.
Never fear—the Advocate will not forget you.
Never worry—the Sovereign will not fail to take good care of you.
I heal your pain.
Ultimate focus changes life’s sufferings.
Considering a Great Savior results in serene quietness.
Preoccupying your mind with My love tranquilizes panic.
I am the Good Shepherd—follow Me to heavenly peace and quiet.
“No pain, no gain” encapsulates more truth than you can imagine.
There are no rainbows without rain.
You could not appreciate calm without weathering storms.
You would not celebrate spring if you did not shiver through winter.
You would never know the thrill of dawn without lonely nights.
There could not have been a resurrection without a crucifixion.
You could not walk golden streets if Jesus had not walked the Via Dolorosa.
Hard times strengthen character—tears cleanse the soul.
Coal under pressure makes diamonds—trouble purifies the heart.
I give you historical perspective and hopeful prospects.
Unseen footprints carry you through life’s storms.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 220 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
PSALM 73:26 NLT
Life is difficult, but you can depend on Me whatever happens. Circumstances may depress, but inner-stances delight if you trust Me. In a quicksand world, I am the Solid Rock—your Firm and Faithful Friend. Never give up—though your body is dying, your inner being is being renewed day by day. Your troubles are small potatoes compared to the glory of paradise. Hard times are temporary—heaven is forever.
Believe I am real—trust My perfect wisdom, power, and love. Let these realities become your unflinching confession of faith. Opinions are carried around like a suitcase and just as easily dropped. But convictions carry you around and are your driving motivation—they are more than ideas in your mind; they possess your mind.
Believe I am righteous—be good for something, My smile. Life’s unfair conundrum is the Job problem—a question of justice. Wicked people get away with murder; you cannot get away with anything. They think I do not realize what is going on, or that I am powerless to do anything about it. You attempt to understand why the rebellious succeed while the righteous suffer—it is puzzling to you. When bad things happen to good people, you wonder if you are being good for nothing. At the end of the day, the world will feel the heat and see the Light.
Believe I am redemptive—let the Good Shepherd tend your life. The universal church is the circle of My children around the world who implicitly depend on Me and worship Me with all their heart. Believe I am Ruler—bow your knee at the mention of My Name. The inevitable consequences of ignoring Me will be crystal clear at the crash site of sin’s slippery slope. Rebels will have hell to pay! Defectors will face court martial before the Judge of the universe.
I am your Counselor giving you a creed for troublesome times. I am your Travel Companion on the journey, Guide through life’s maze, Center of Gravity in a topsy-turvy world, Designer of your mansion, Guardian of your heart, Sustaining Breath, and Perfect Storm Shelter.
Believe I am reliable—lean your whole weight on the Rock of Ages. Every other staff you lean on breaks and pierces your hand and heart—I am the Only Completely Reliable Spot in the universe. Whatever fails, rest assured the Almighty never will disappoint you—you can trust Me.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 219, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
I've lost it; I’m wasted. God – quickly, quickly!
Quick to my side, quick to my rescue! GOD, don’t lose a minute.
PSALM 70:5 THE MESSAGE
Through all time and eternity, rest assured I will encircle you.
In your panic, you wish I would hurry.
Opponents think they have got you, but they do not—I have you.
Enemies of your soul will be disgraced, but you will not be.
Do not let the sense of being targeted and wished ill overwhelm you.
Unfailing Love encompasses you—death’s terror, life’s trouble,
demons’ distractions, today’s fears, tomorrow’s worries—
none of these things can come between us, because we are inseparable.
In My gracious time, rest assured I will educate you.
In your praise, do your best to honor Me.
I engineer life’s circumstances for the good of those who love Me.
Time educates for eternity—you are enrolled in Adversity University.
Friction polishes the gem—hurt can help you grow in holiness.
Unforgettable lessons instruct you—be sure you learn them well.
In My own good time, rest assured I will enrich you.
In your poverty, count on My compassionate help.
The One who died for you lives for you—and He is praying for you.
In My time, I will replace sin’s ugliness with heaven on earth.
Unimaginable lavishness is preparing a mansion with your name on it.
In My glorious time, rest assured you will exult in Me.
Glory will make you forget gloom—paradise will eradicate pain.
All creation will one day celebrate total freedom—and so will you.
Do not let winter freeze your hope—spring is just around the corner.
Wait patiently and confidently—heaven is sure as sunrise.
I orchestrate life’s every detail for the good of those who worship Me.
When My New World Symphony is debuted,
the universe will stand to its feet in thunderous applause.
Unending Life encourages you—My promises brighten the future.
(c) PastorJohnny R. Almond, Day 218 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.
PSALM 66:20 NLT
I have not rejected your prayer—I have responded to you.
When you confess your wrongdoing, I cleanse your soul.
When you cry out in desperation, I pay attention to your pain.
When you plead for help, I do not turn a deaf ear.
Prayer is always a local call—wherever you are, I can hear you.
Praise Me for an audience with the King.
I have not restricted your praise—I have released you.
You do not have to hide your faith as a secret disciple—breathe free.
You do not have to stifle your joy—sing My praises for all the world.
I have made you genuinely rich by giving you a contented mind.
My gift to you is out-of-your-world peace.
Praise Me for invulnerable joy greater than any earthly happiness.
I have not refused your pleas—I have reinforced you.
My awesome miracles on your behalf irrefutably prove My love.
Enemies of your soul, including the evil one, cringe at My power.
Trust in Me—and trouble will not get you down.
Stay close to Me—and the prince of the world will not conquer you.
Praise Me for supernatural assistance.
I have not removed your problems—I have refined you.
Adversity is My University—trust Me and pass the tests of your faith.
Time educates you for eternity—prepare for your final exam.
Low points teach you lessons you would never learn any other way.
The fiery crucible purges filth—trying floodwaters remove debris.
I defend in guilt, comfort in sorrow, and encourage in frustration.
Praise Me for being your Travel Companion on rough roads.
I have not renounced My promises—I have redeemed you.
My Son became a Sacrificial Lamb to buy your freedom from sin.
I keep all My promises to you—I am the God of My Word.
With all my heart, I love you—love Me the same way.
Praise Me for the honor of serving the God of Truth and Love.
(C) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 217 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Psalm 62:11, 12NLT
No force in the universe is more powerful than the Most High. Artificial light cannot outshine the sun and moon I spoke into existence. Technological advances never do away with the overwhelming need to humbly bow before the Almighty. The Most High God is transcendent—holy, high, above all, outside everything created, distant from earth.
Yet no friend anywhere is more personal than the God who is Love—immanent, nearer than your hands and feet, closer than your very breath. I am big enough to rule the world, and small enough to live in your heart.
Because My Son condescended to become a human being, you can see My glory in His face—He reflects My love and faithfulness. No one is nearer My heart than He is—the closer you draw to Him, the closer you get to Me. His grace and truth flood the believing heart with blessing and reality.
St. Augustine reflected poignantly in his autobiography Confessions: “Our hearts are made for Thee, O God; we are restless until we rest in Thee.” Wait in My Presence—and experience the strength I alone provide. Make Me your Center of Gravity—and discover the true meaning of life. Nestle near My heart—and relax in My dependable care.
I am your Happiness—so you are not sad in the world’s shadows.
My strong love inspires a song in your heart.
I am your Help—so you are not shaken by violent faith quakes.
My strong love energizes you to keep on going.
I am your Hope—so you are not sarcastic or down-in-the-mouth.
My strong love puts a spring in your step.
I am your Honor—so you are not a self-centered egomaniac.
My strong love overshadows your flawed reputation with glory.
I am your Home—so you are not stranded in an impersonal world.
My strong love makes us inseparable friends.
If I were great and not good, My awesome power would make Me a punishing tyrant, a heartless despot, and a demanding dictator. If I were good and not great, I would be merely an abstract ideal, of no practical value, and powerless to assist you. I am great and good—strong and loving, authoritative and compassionate, just and merciful, powerful and caring.
Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you.
Psalm 55:22THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
I am infinitely superior to all the idols the world worships. False gods of the heart cannot satisfy your deepest yearnings. No-gods are less than nothing. You do not pray to the god whom you may or may not know, as the Babylonians did. You do not have to take a shot in the dark and petition the god whom it may concern, as those pagans did. I am the One and Only God—and I am concerned about you!
You can cast all your anxieties and concerns and worries on Me—rest assured I care for you affectionately and watch over you day and night. You can be sure I am always thinking about you—it matters to Me what happens in your life. Let Me have your cares, and you can live carefree. This approach to living is far more effective than the naïve philosophy that advocates “don’t worry, be happy.”
Often you are care-full, when you could and should be care-free. Here is Myrecipe for peace—pray about everything that concerns you; tell Me what you need; thank Me for My answers; focus your mind on truth, honor, right, purity, loveliness, and excellence. If you do this, you will enjoy the pleasure of My company and experience My calm.
When you were a child, you had trouble blowing up balloons. You did not seem to have the breath for it. Now that you are grown up, you still have some trouble with balloons—and with life’s frustrations. When weariness takes all the wind out of your sails, I can reenergize you and pump you up by My Spirit Wind. When you are all worn out, the Breath of Heaven can lift you up. Here is My formula for a worry-free life—prioritize living for Me and make My kingdom your primary goal, and I will take care of the rest.
When the peace of God is elusive, your trouble is that you keep attempting to carry your own cares, and in the process you get crushed under the heavy, impossible load. If you will give your cares to the God of peace, I will carry them—and you. Submit to My gentle mastery as you reread My cordial invitation to you: Come to Me all who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Let go of your stresses and let Me sustain you—I will bear your burdens on My strong shoulders and make your heart lighter than air.
I manage the universe—do you think I cannot manage your stress?
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Psalm 54:4NIV
The most critical decision you need to make is to trust Me. Take My invitation and challenge personally—make the Almighty God your help, and I promise to hold you together.
I stand beside you by My Presence. When you are surrounded by spiritual forces of malignant evil that would undermine you, I support you by goodness and undergird you. Do not tremble in fear thinking of forces stronger than you— a Power far greater than any other is on your side and fighting battles for you. Be strong in the Lord. Storms will not orphan you. War will not kill you. Satan will not defeat you. You will not be forsaken—because I am your Friend.
I stand for you with My power. When you are struggling with temptation that would demoralize you, I enforce you by grace and deliver you. Suit up in My armor and take a stand in opposition to satanic schemes. Carry the heavenly faith shield to extinguish hellacious flaming arrows. You will not fail—because I am your Freedom.
I stand within you by My peace. When you are stressed out by pressures of unrealistic deadlines that would unravel you, I sustain you by My rich gifts and breathe supernatural calm into your soul. I still can hush the high seas to sleep. When you are in a perfect storm, I am your Bridge over troubled water. You will not fall apart—because I am your Fortress.
I stand beneath you by My Providence. When you are stumbling under the weight of overwhelming cares that would crush you, I stand under you by My government and carry you. I can do more than you can imagine. When you panic in quicksand, I am your Solid Rock. You will not fall—because I am your Foundation.
I stand ahead of you by My promise. When you seek equilibrium in roller-coastersituations that would undo you, I secure you by My greatness and stabilize your heart. I illumine tomorrow’s path. And when the time is right, I will inaugurate My master plan for the eons. You will not falter—because I am your Future.
The Changeless Rock of Ages stands under you, and the Compassionate Friend of sinners understands you. Live confidently today—assured that I will see you safely through perplexity, pain, pressures, and problems. At the end of the day, sunset will be a personal victory celebration—bow your head and say thanks.
