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“Thou art my hope in the day of evil.”
Jeremiah 17:17
The path of the Christian is not always bright with sunshine; he has his seasons of darkness and of storm. True, it is written in God’s Word, “Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace;” and it is a great truth, that religion is calculated to give a man happiness below as well as bliss above; but experience tells us that if the course of the just be “As the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day,” yet sometimes that light is eclipsed. At certain periods clouds cover the believer’s sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light. There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season; they have basked in the sunshine in the earlier stages of their Christian career; they have walked along the “green pastures” by the side of the “still waters,” but suddenly they find the glorious sky is clouded; instead of the Land of Goshen they have to tread the sandy desert; in the place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste, and they say, “Surely, if I were a child of God, this would not happen.” Oh! say not so, thou who art walking in darkness. The best of God’s saints must drink the wormwood; the dearest of his children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity; no believer can always keep his harp from the willows. Perhaps the Lord allotted you at first a smooth and unclouded path, because you were weak and timid. He tempered the wind to the shorn lamb, but now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God’s full-grown children. We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten bough of self-dependence, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.
Charles H. Spurgeon
When I read this today, the verse seemed to fit our day in other ways as well. The deity of Christ is under attack perhaps more today than ever. Just this week, I’ve stumbled across several different religious leaders who do not give Jesus his full position as God as the Bible teaches. (30 “I and the Father are one.” – John 10)
Add to that the many false prophets, prosperity teachers, New Apostolic Reformation leaders, New Age thought, Unitarian positions, cults, etc. (I’m not even including other religions here) and we have a time where Bible verses are twisted to make Jesus someone to fit personal wishes instead of the true Jesus found in scripture (Tota Scriptura).
We need to be familiar with the entire Word of God so that we are not fooled by these impostors. I think it’s time for all of us to go back to the basics and study why we believe the things we do believe. I think this because basic Christian Orthodoxy which has spanned the ages is in question (i.e. the diety of Christ).
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Wings of the Wind 
How are you doing?
Hi Pastor Jim. Thank you for asking. My family and I are well in spite of the virus that has impacted so many lives. Arkansas has had a little over 60 deaths and 3,000 cases. My county has seen no deaths. We are still taking precautions as people who’ve had kidney transplants are much more vulnerable to the virus. My daughter had her transplant over 9 years ago as I’ve probably mentioned before.
So, we thank God for each day. The weather is beautiful here and I’ve been getting outside to get fresh air each day.
How are you my friend? I hope you and your family are well. I checked out your blog and the recent post on the supposed contradiction in the Bible. It is sad to see God’s Word attacked as much as it is in our day. It will probably take me awhile, but I am working on a post on the Trinity. It is amazing how many do not believe in a teaching that is so clearly understood in light of the entire Word of God. It seems like monthly I hear of a new group that is teaching something that denies clear Christian orthodoxy, like the deity of Christ.
God’s blessings dear brother. I always appreciate your comments.
I am doing well and being in Los Angeles there’s more cases than other parts of the country but we are walking and reading alot and of course I’m concern for our elderly in our church. Looking forward to your Trinity post!
I am glad to hear that you are well. I grew up in West Covina which is about 30 miles east of Los Angeles.
I’m glad your parishioners have a pastor who is concerned for their health. The virus is particularly lethal to the elderly and those with preexisting conditions as you well know.
May God bless you and your congregation.
Thanks brother
I like what Spurgeon says about faith giving hope in the dark days also – especially then.
Me too, Marianne. C.H.S. had such a wonderful way with the English language and a great knowledge of the wonderful gift of the Word of God.