The LORD is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge.
And he knows everyone who trusts in him.
But he sweeps away his enemies in an overwhelming flood.
He pursues his foes into the darkness of night.
NAHUM 1:7-8 NLT
When perplexing cares depress your mind, I will be your lilting song.
Nagging doubts will not fragment you—I am your Blessed Assurance.
When you feel you cannot take another step, I will be your cheering coach.
Life’s grueling marathon will not kill you—I am your Enduring Example.
When I flood earth with judgment, I will be your calm and quiet harbor.
Surrounding troubles will not drown you—I am your Grand Support.
When all hell breaks loose, I will be your Unfailing Savior.
Doomsday will not destroy you—I am your Heaven.
When the world has given up hope, I will be your melody of optimism.
Despair will not overwhelm you—I am your Home.
When righteous indignation makes earth quake, I will be your Faithful Friend.
Vindication against sin will not touch you—I am your Father.
When the last battle rages, I will be your ultimate victory.
Clash of good and iniquity will not defeat you—I am your King.
When the night of evil overshadows the world, I will be your shining light.
Attacks from demonic forces will not intimidate you—I am your Shield.
When the world is falling apart, I will be your solid rock.
Fading tangibles will not devastate you—I am your Eternal Life.
When My Son returns to set the world right, I will be your bold courage.
An interview with Me will not embarrass you—I am your Defense Counsel.
When heaven’s holy holocaust incinerates earth, I will be your storm shelter.
Falling stars will not scare you—I am your Bright Morning Star.
When godless nations rage against the Messiah, I will be your hiding place.
Punishment of the wicked will not hurt you—I am your Mighty Fortress.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 299, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
You, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.
He will be highly honored all around the world. And he will be the source of our peace.
MICAH 5:2, 4, 5a NLT
He was born in a little town, yet He never began.
Before mountains were sculpted, He existed—in fact, He made them.
Before the planet you call home hung in space, He was your Home.
You cannot understand this, but you can believe it.
He entered earth in a dark barn, yet He will enlighten new Jerusalem.
His light illumines seeking minds—His life comforts desperate hearts.
He spoke first light into being—that light shines on, inextinguishable.
You cannot explain this, but you can enjoy it.
He was marked by a star, yet He made all the stars.
Heaven’s GPS pointed out His location to those who wanted to know.
I still use circumstances, events, and people to direct people to Jesus.
You cannot figure out what I am up to, but you can follow.
He was a helpless baby on earth, yet He is the Sovereign of Heaven.
He enjoyed prerogatives of power and glory, but He gave it up for you.
Rather than demand His rights, He humbly gave His life to redeem you.
You cannot earn this, but you can receive it.
He was adored by wise men from a foreign land,
and He will be worshiped by ransomed saints from all lands.
No one else is worthy of universal praise—He alone is the Savior.
You cannot imagine this, but you can experience it.
He became human in time, yet He is the Ruler of Eternity.
You cannot see Him now, but in the distant future you will.
Storm clouds veil stars, but dawn will reveal the rhapsody of peace.
You cannot envision this, but you can anticipate it.
His star led magi to Him, and the Bright Morning Star guides you.
All wisdom centers on Him—all truth connects to Him.
Wise men traveled a long way to find Him—yet it was worth the trip.
You cannot know it all, but you can know the One who does.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 298, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
How can we sing the songs of the LORD while in a foreign land? PSALM 137:4
When you are in a situation that makes you want to hang up your harp,
you may wonder how in the world you can ever celebrate again.
Where is that toe-tapping rhythm, that spring in your step?
You are on alien soil in the ungodly world.
No wonder antagonists poke fun at your hymns of praise.
The world is “not a friend to grace to help you on to God” (Isaac Watts).
I am the One “who makes the woeful heart to sing” (Anonymous hymn).
When Paul wrote Philippians, he was not in a Statler Hilton luxury suite.
Yet he published a message of joy advising believers to rejoice.
Hope can sing—heaven’s music echoes in listening hearts.
Faith can dance—heaven’s message encourages trusting souls.
Joy can celebrate—heaven’s mirth is in inner-stances, not circumstances.
Love can rejoice—heaven’s melody inspires invulnerable joy.
Horatio Spafford experienced this joy—even after his daughters died.
That ship collision in the Atlantic took their lives, but not his peace.
Sorrows like sea billows rolled over him, but it was well with his soul.
Richard Wurmbrand experienced this joy—even after 14 years in prison.
Brutally tortured until he could find relief only on his elbows and knees,
he still sang a song a fellow prisoner wrote about Jesus.
Joni Eareckson Tada experienced this joy—even as a quadriplegic.
Confined to a wheelchair, painting with her mouth,
she sang from her heart a song of trusting faith.
Betsie ten Boom experienced this joy—even in a concentration camp.
She knew they would be free, and she told her sister to tell everyone
there is no pit so deep that God is not deeper still.
You can also experience this joy.
Though you feel like sighing, your Greatest Friend can teach you a song.
By My grace, you can sing—even when you do not feel like it.
Jonah answered “I am a Hebrew and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven who made the sea and the land. Then he told them he was running away from the LORD.
JONAH 1:9-10 NLT
Do you think it is possible to be reverently rebellious toward Me?
Submissively disobedient to the Commander of Angel Armies?
Lovingly running away from Love seeking your company?
Openly hiding from the One who knows everything about you?
How can you demonstrate such sharp contrast in your life—
Falsely true? Genuinely counterfeit? Sincerely hypocritical?
Unfaithfully faithful? Treacherously loyal? Dishonestly honest?
Fearfully courageous? Halfheartedly committed?
You are a bundle of contradictions and a strange mixture of opposites—
pure and lustful, enamored with idols and ecstatic with Me,
hostile and kind, quarrelsome and tranquil, jealous and content,
angry and patient, selfishly ambitious and sacrificially caring,
fussy and gentle, bigoted and generous.
What am I to make of you? What will you let Me make of you?
Follow heaven’s victory strategy, and you can win this tug-of-war.
Heed My positive advice, and you can resolve this polarity within.
Like Much-Afraid in Hannah Hurnard’s Hinds’ Feet on High Places,
you may weep bitterly and say over and over again to yourself: What is the use of even thinking of going to the High Places?
I could never reach them, for the least little thing is enough
to turn me back.
You are an oxymoron—two-sided, attempting dual allegiance.
It will not work—an unsettled mind cannot know peace.
Will you run to Me or run away?
Will you hide in Me or try to hide from Me?
Will you be earnest by My power or just eloquent with fancy talk?
When will you wise up and quit being an oxymoron?!
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 297, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
I will cut you down to size among the nations, Edom; you will be small and despised. You are proud because you live in a rock fortress, making your home in the mountains.“ Who can ever reach us way up here?” you ask boastfully. Don’t fool yourselves! Though you soar high as eagles and build your nest among stars, I will bring you crashing down. I, the LORD, have spoken! OBADIAH 1:2-4 NLT
Sitting on a wall you have constructed by your own wisdom and ability?
Feeling secure in accomplishments, sure nothing can touch you now?
Condescendingly perched in your nest, looking down on the world below?
King of a mountain you so skillfully climbed, despising lower classes?
Thinking you have it made? Better think again!
Arrogance makes you strut—reality can bring you to your knees.
Ego makes you brag—embarrassment can cut you down to size.
There is no security without God. Everything else changes—I remain the same through the years.
I alone in the entire universe am absolutely trustworthy.
Mountains do not give you security—the Mountain-Maker does.
The proud are My enemies—they are against Me, so I am against them.
The higher you climb, the greater your crash.
There is a wrecking ball inside every egotistically constructed life.
Mother Goose got it right in her nursery rhyme for children: Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men,
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
If a nation, business, church, family, or individual collapses from pride—
political, military, economic, religious, and psychological remedies fail.
The only prescription for health is to repent and return to God.
John Bunyan said it well in his poem
“The Shepherd Boy Sings in the Valley of Humiliation”: He that is down, needs fear no fall; he that is low, no pride.
He that is humble ever shall have God to be his guide.
The humble are My favorites—they are on My side, so I am on theirs.
Make Me your Mighty Fortress—I will keep you from having a great fall.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 296, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Woe to those who are at ease in Zion,
to those on the mountain of Samaria who are careless and feel secure.
AMOS 6:1 THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE
Self-confidence comes so naturally to you.
Reviewing your situation, you tell yourself “I have it made in the shade!”
Complacency selects an address on Easy Street.
Wealth shifts your attention from the church to the bank.
Comfort isolates you from the cries of the poor.
Pride distances you from those struggling just to eke out an existence.
The American dream turns your life into an egotistical nightmare.
Your soft bed rocks you to sleep without a twinge of conscience—
street people do not keep you awake.
Your lavishly-stocked pantry fills your stomach without worry—
gluttony fattens you up while the hungry of the world starve to death.
Your comfortable house has become your security blanket—
your welcome mat is not out for the homeless.
Your wine racks offer you much more than you need—
charmed by sweet drinks, you have little thirst for My Spirit.
At ease, you take it easy—while the heartbroken struggle to survive.
Lazy, you sleep away your existence—while the world goes to hell.
Extravagant, you waste resources—while the poor rummage in dumps.
Blind, you invest in things—while I urge you to invest in eternity.
Careless, you are deaf to a roaring lion—while My Spirit warns you.
Believe it or not, I am your Only True Security.
Realize you deeply need Me—and I will grant heavenly citizenship.
Hunger and thirst for righteousness—and I will satisfy your soul.
Be kind to people fighting a hard battle—and I will give you victory.
Purify your heart—and I will permit you to see Me face to face.
Work for peace—and I will proudly call you My child.
Persevere in My service—and I will welcome you home.
Treasure Me—and I will give your investment eternal dividends.
Avoid the trap of luxury—and I will let you celebrate Love’s freedom.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 295, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
As soon as trouble comes, they will search for me.
HOSEA 5:15 NLT
Sunshine, lollipops, and roses can create self-dependency.
Feeling you have it made, you feel no need of Me.
Riding high, you assume you can get by without the Most High.
Supremely self-confident, you essentially put prayer on the shelf.
When the sun stops shining and storms roll in, you get serious with Me.
When life turns bittersweet, you earnestly seek My face.
When flowers fade and die, you go back to the eternal Book.
Sensing you cannot survive on your own, you cry out for My assistance.
Experiencing a low point, you try to make sense of it all through faith.
Hurting deeply, you consult the Great Physician.
Sadness can actually be a doorway to ecstasy.
Stoics take it on the chin and go on; Epicureans party and try to forget.
Christians have a unique perspective—trouble is a chance for joy.
When your faith is tested, fortitude has an opportunity to develop.
In a crucible, you learn a valuable lesson—strength is born in weakness.
Insults do not change who you are—I know you, that is all that matters.
Hard times will not destroy you—I care, and that will see you through.
Opposition cannot separate us—I love you, and that will keep us friends.
Calamities cannot kill you—I stand under you, and I will hold you together.
Pressure from all sides will not crush the trusting soul.
Perplexity will not cause the believing heart to drop out of the race.
Getting knocked down will not keep persevering saints down for good.
Life is wonderful—overflowing with blessings all along the journey.
But when there is trouble on the road, I am your Grand Support.
Search for Me with all your heart—it will be worth all the trouble.
Life is sweet and beautiful in many ways—there are many roses.
Yet every rose has a thorn—that hurts, but that too, can be a blessing.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 293, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
The people who know their God shall be steadfast and will accomplish notable feats.
DANIEL 11:32 MLB
Wait on Me—be strong.
Still your soul in My Presence, breathe deeply of My Spirit, and relax.
Watch what I do with galaxies—let Me control the orbit of your life.
Rely on Me when life is falling apart—stay calm in heavy traffic.
Wait—soar over mediocrity, run from evil, walk beyond weariness.
Worship Me—be steady.
If faith brings persecution, persist—hard times refine pure gold.
Follow your Great Example, the One called Faithful and True.
In all circumstances be joyful, prayerful, thankful, clay in My hands.
Worship—give Me your heart, and I will give you Mine.
Want My Word—be studious.
Internalize eternal truths; uncompromisingly follow holy principles.
Do not carry around opinions; be carried around by convictions.
Be a true disciple—keep on obeying My teachings over your lifetime.
Treasure the Bible—make it your Textbook for Living.
Work for Me—be sincere.
The insincere lose heart and desert the ranks of My army.
The sincere take heart and remain steadfastly enthused in My service.
Realizing who your Boss is, work diligently—whistle while you work.
Do quality work to please Me, not people—My smile will be your reward.
Watch your step—be successful.
Temptation is a battleground—doggedly persist and we will win.
In your weakness, hold My hand—I will keep you from stumbling.
One day you will be like Christ—make a conscious effort today.
Watch your step—walk in Jesus’ footsteps and truly succeed.
The strategy for victory is profoundly simple—continue.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 292, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
As my vision continued that night,
I saw someone who looked like a man coming with the clouds of heaven.
He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence.
He was given authority, honor, and royal power over all the nations of the world,
so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him.
His rule is eternal--it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
DANIEL 7:13-14 NLT
In the future the Son of Man will be revealed as the Son of God—
My Right-hand Man, returning on the clouds of heaven.
When His full character is unveiled, believers will breathe a sigh of relief.
When His unquestionable authority is revealed, saints will leap for joy.
The Lamb turned Lion will be an awful revelation to an incredulous world.
His piercing eyes will see right through all pretense and hypocrisy.
His almighty feet will walk all over enemies of righteousness.
His divine voice will thunder out proclamations of justice and truth.
His authoritative arm will wield a sharp sword to cut away falsehood.
His victorious hands will hold the keys of death and the grave.
Gentle Jesus will shock people who forgot accountability to Him as Judge.
Worldly warring kingdoms will become the Messiah’s peaceful kingdom.
Memories of chaos, anxiety, and turmoil will never haunt the redeemed.
Cemeteries and hospitals will no longer be needed by the glorified.
Loneliness will disappear in the fellowship of celebrative hearts.
Millions will worship Him and sing His praises with liberated hearts.
My servants will worship and serve Me with joyful hearts.
Current events disturb you, but the future perfect tense will delight you.
Believer, you are destined to be part of Christ’s indestructible kingdom!
Live gratefully, humbly, and reverently until earth’s nightmare is over.
Jesus will reign over the new earth—heaven’s dream will come true.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 291, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
From that day the name of the city will be “The LORD Is There.”
EZEKIEL 48:35 NLT
When you are unsure which way to turn, I am there to direct you.
When you are feeling gloomy and despondent, I am there to cheer you up.
When you are worn out and exhausted, I am there to give you rest.
When you are frazzled, I am there to give you peace of mind.
When you are wringing your hands, I am there to settle your nerves.
When you are battling the evil one, I am there to guarantee your victory.
When you are frustrated by changing situations, I am there to stabilize you.
When you are on stormy seas, I am there to keep you on an even keel.
When you are experiencing earth’s chaos, I am there to calm your heart.
When you are on the verge of falling apart, I am there to hold you together.
When you are weak and overwhelmed, I am there to renew your strength.
When you are afraid, I am there to hold your hand and encourage you.
When you are going through deep waters, I am there to keep you afloat.
When you are experiencing fiery trials, I am there to shield you from harm.
|When you are surrounded by trouble, I am there as your Hiding Place.
When you are feeling life is too hard, I am there to help you succeed.
When you are stumbling in the dark, I am there to light your way.
When you are feeling guilty, I am there to forgive and take your sins away.
When you are wondering what is next, I am there to give you a bright future.
When you are dragging your feet, I am there to teach you how to dance.
When you are feeling no one loves you, I am there to hold you near Me.
When you are in a sad valley, I am there to give you a vision of hope.
When you are on an ecstatic mountaintop, I am there to celebrate with you.
When you are in a deep pit of depression, I am there to lift you up.
When you are visiting the world’s other side, I am there to travel with you.
When you are on cloud nine, I am there to be the Life of your party.
When you are overshadowed by clouds, I am there to shine joy in your soul.
When you are singing the blues, I am there to give you a new praise song.
When you are sleepless after a hard day, I am there to sing you a lullaby.
When you are opening your eyes at dawn, I am there as your wake-up call.
When you are struggling to navigate life’s maze, I am there to lead you.
When you are moving from time into eternity, I am there to make it heaven.
I am your Greatest Blessing—whatever you need, I am there for you.
(C) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 290, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
