[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Thursday, September 13 2012

[Paul]

Well folks, we're a little later than usual but, as the old expression has it, "Better late than never." How was your day today? Mine was good, by God's matchless grace and His providential care.

It seems that every time I read any work by the poetess featured today, the late Helen Steiner Rice, that she has a way of tugging at my heartstrings.  It's a wonder they don't break because, if that should happen, I'd have a broken heart with blood leaking all over the place.  Seriously though, I've always liked her work.  Today's poem entitled "God's Assurance," rendered as follows, is no exception.

My blessings are so many, my troubles are so few,
How can I be discouraged when I know that I have You?

And I have the sweet assurance that there's nothing I need fear
If I but keep remembering I am Yours and You are near.

Help me to endure the storms that keep raging deep inside me,
And make me more aware each day that no evil can betide me.

If I remain undaunted though the billows sweep and roll,
Knowing I have Your assurance, there's a haven for my soul.

For anything and everything can somehow be endured
If Your presence is beside me and lovingly assured.

Thanks to the poetic sage of Lorain OH for her contribution.  For those who don't know, the community of Lorain is about 30 miles or 50 kilometers west of Cleveland.

And now until tomorrow evening when, Lord willing another good night message will be presented, may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in the last days in which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul