Thank God, during difficult times, we have Blessed Assurance

On Sept. 2, 2012, at 2:15 a.m., my dear wife, Myrna, went home to be with our Lord. Myrna and I would have been married 53 years two days later on Sept. 4, 2012.

We enjoyed a beautiful marriage together during those 53 years. There is no way I can write this column today without telling you that I miss her very much. She was my world, and for 53 years, we were head over heels in love with each other.

During my 30 years of writing Think About It each week, Myrna did all my typing. Recently, I wrote my first book, Think About It, and Myrna typed all the articles in the book. She was my right hand in every part of our marriage and ministry.

Needless to say, this has been the most difficult time of my life. During these lonely days and hours, I found great comfort in the wonderful grace of God. Just about the time I feel the attack of loneliness, I am reminded of Matthew 28:3 that promises, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

In those unwelcome times of uncertainty, I lean on Psalms 4:8, “I will both lay me down in peace and sleep; for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.”

During the times Satan tries to attack me with self-pity, I lean on Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” When I am struggling with doubt, I turn to 2 Timothy 1:12, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”

Matthew Henry said, “When I cannot enjoy the faith of assurance, I live by the faith of adherence.”

In the words of the song by Edward Mote:

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness,

I dare not trust the sweetest frame

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness veils his lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale

My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

* * *

I and my family would like to thank everyone for your prayers, cards, concerns, and kind words during this very difficult time.

“We are never without a pilot when we know not how to steer” — Anonymous.

Think about it!