As we open to Psalm 119:71, we as a nation are in the midst of one of the most challenging times Americans have faced for over a generation. But as bad as it may seem, think about how hard life was in the USA in 1917.
That year, World War I was sapping the finances, wearing down the resolve, and destroying the young men of this nation. Amidst all that, there was no government security for the sick or unemployed.
People only lived on what they could make and scraped out on their farms or in the cities. Even the churches were struggling. So much so that one Kentucky church couldn’t afford to keep their pastor as a paid staff member any longer.
I wonder what Pastor Thomas Obadiah Chisholm thought of Psalm 119:71 after he got word that because of his failing health, he would no longer get any financial support from his church congregation. He had served as pastor for many years. We’ll find out a bit later because everyone here this evening has heard his testimony many times.
But now, as we stand for the reading of God’s Word, listen to these solid and confident words from Ezra’s pen, guided by the Infinite, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent Spirit of God:
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes.
In our darkest hour, deepest pain, most challenging times, and most hopeless situations—we know that our God, who is faithful, is CLOSER at those moments than at any other time.
In 1917, a 51-year-old pastor named Thomas Obadiah Chisholm had to leave the paid vocational ministry for health reasons. Life was hard, and jobs were so scarce that he had to support his family selling door-to-door in Kentucky. But he did so humming the words of a personal resolve he had written.
What was his plan for facing physical and emotional afflictions in a cold and cruel world with the harsh realities of dashed hopes, failing health, declining finances, and limited strength? His testimony is in the hymnbook, “Living for Jesus.”
WNS-53 – Living for Jesus Through The School of Suffering (090412PM)
Join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel to access weekly video releases over the next year totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS featuring weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie. Clips are taken at just one of the places where we are taking our virtual journey through all the Lands of the Bible & Great Museums of the Bible on the Paul’s Life & Letters Course. Plus all the assigned HOLY LAND, Paul’s Life & Letters Course STUDY RESOURCES, and John’s two most loved books–David’s Spiritual Secret & Living Hope for the End of Days at:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVK6dN-9kLDnQhYBFuES09A/join
Follow Discover the Book Ministries to stay up to date:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverthebook/
DTBM Academy Courses:
https://dtbma.com/Default.aspx
Purchase John’s Books, Mp3 & DVD resources:
E-Books: https://tinyurl.com/y3wbhlxy
Here are links to our Amazon Pages–
https://www.amazon.com/shop/dtbm
Donate to the ministry: https://dtbm.org/donations/partnership/
For more of Dr. John Barnett’s Bible teaching messages, go to: https://dtbm.org/
https://youtu.be/cfxv0Igspe4
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings