Charlotte Elliott wrote the hymn “Just As I Am” in 1834. She had been an invalid for many years, and though she wanted to help with a fund-raiser for a girl’s school, she was too ill. She felt useless, and this inner distress caused her to begin doubting her faith in Christ.

She wrote “Just As I Am” as a response to her doubt. The crux of her distress is perhaps best expressed in these words:

Just as I am, though tossed about
With many a conflict, many a doubt,
Fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come!

Three days after His death and burial, Jesus rose from the grave and invited the disciple whom history has nicknamed “Doubting Thomas” to examine the marks of His crucifixion (John 20:27). When Thomas touched Jesus’ wounds, he finally believed in the resurrection. Christ responded, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (v.29).

As Christians today, we are the ones who have not seen but still believe. Yet at times our earthly circumstances create serious questions in our souls. Even then, we cry out: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Jesus welcomes us to come to Him just as we are.

Dear Jesus, help me to trust You when life doesn’t make sense. Please take my doubt and replace it with fresh faith in You.

​Mark 9:24
 ..."I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!

- Jennifer Benson Schuldt (Our Daily Bread)

What advantages have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others? (Eccl.6:8)

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”(James 3:17-18)

As long as we still live under the sun, we will always have opportunity to join the preacher in his saying: Vanity all is vanity. But as we acknowledge God and make Him Lord over our life, we will find joy and purpose for our life, though it is just a short journey here on earth because we know that our home is not here but with God.

Life on earth is the opportunity for us to join in God’s work for His purpose: to reconcile the sinners to Himself through Christ and in the power of the Spirit. Because of this, we as the privileged one are also the responsible one: to submit ourselves to God and to proclaim the peace and to share the love of our Father. 

Only God knows human heart. We can do many good things, but our motive and purpose can be wrong. By having humility we can understand that wisdom and knowledge can only bring satisfaction when we acknowledge that God is above all our human understanding and knowledge.

Fear God and obey His commandments is the final conclusion of the Ecclesiastes and it is the beginning of the Book of Proverbs. God is the Alpha and Omega, which has no beginning and end thus we must involve God and acknowledge Him in all we do, from the very beginning to the very end because our life is from Him and when we finish our journey, we will also go back to Him. Amen.

- Jenni Wang

Matthew 11:28 - 30
Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

The Lord Jesus was not only meek but also lowly in heart. We often have improper thoughts and carnal desires.  We often compare ourselves to others. Our thoughts are filled with pride and boasting. Our Lord never hopes to gain anything for Himself. He is willing to accept everything from God. He can say that it is enough, and He is satisfied. This is being meek and lowly in heart.

Brothers and sisters, are you satisfied with what God has given you? Or do you constantly covet more? Is God's provision enough for you? Or do you insist on your way concerning certain things and affairs? Many people have great ambitions and aspirations, but these things do not count in God's eyes, and God cannot use such ones. They are not lowly in heart, and they do not have rest. They do not have any rest because they are not satisfied with what God has given them.

Our Lord Jesus is meek; He does not demand anything for Himself. Only those who are meek can be led by God, and only those who are lowly in heart can satisfy God's desire.All those who have some experience can testify that nothing is more joyful than consecration, and nothing brings more happiness than placing oneself in the Lord's hand and under His direction. If we are not joyful and satisfied in heart, the only possible reason for this, is that we have not taken the Lord's yoke and learned from Him.
Let us humbly pray, “Yes, Father, whatever You decide is the best.” Amen.

- www.emanna.com

God has still His hidden secrets, hidden from the wise and prudent. Do not fear them; be content to accept things that you cannot understand; wait patiently.

Presently He will reveal to you the treasures of darkness, the riches of the glory of the mystery. Mystery is only the veil of God’s face.

Do not be afraid to enter the cloud that is settling down on your life. God is in it. The other side is radiant with His glory. When you seem loneliest and most forsaken, God is near. He is in the dark cloud. Plunge into the blackness of its darkness without flinching; under the shrouding curtain of His pavilion you will find God awaiting you. 

Isaiah 45: 3
I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

- Anonymous