In our Christian walk, we go through different seasons. There are seasons where we are experiencing the good times: blessings one after another. During these times, we sing the songs of Zion with joy. Then there are seasons where it feels like we are going through a drought and famine. This is when the test and trials comes. The enemy tries also to steal our joy and song. Where do we get the strength to handle all the pressures of life? How do we navigate through life’s rocky paths in a fleshly tabernacle? We will experience tough times along the way.
God has thoughts of peace for us. Before the beginning of time, God was still king. God created the heavens and earth. God says we are more important than the birds of the air and the fish of the sea. How do we get a testimony when we go through a trial by fire, how do we keep our sanity in a depressed state?
To get from point A to Point B in our Christian walk, we have to go through troubled waters. In these waters, there are alligators, crocodiles, and piranhas that will take you under. It does not matter what your status is in society and how smart you are, you cannot travel from point A to point B on your own strength.
Spring 1969: Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were both – assassinated. Racial tensions were erupting across the US. The war was raging in Vietnam. And Richard Nixon was in the White House.
Often our patience is a bridge for others. In the 1960 era hit song by the folk duo Simon and Garfunkel they vocalize the theme that says, "Like a bridge over troubled waters I will lay me down" Few people realize that this is borrowed from an old southern Negro spiritual from well over a hundred years ago. There was a story that was told about in a little café in New Orleans sung by an old black man with a ragged guitar Long before Simon and Garfunkel sung it. The song goes on by saying, "When you’re weary, feeling down. When trouble is all around . . .I will comfort you." " I ’m on your side when things get bad. . . when friends just can’t be found; like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down." Pretty much the promise of God found in the words of this old spiritual reworked into a folk song. But what about "In your patience possess your soul", This warning by Christ in troubled times?
What was a sensitive singer-songwriter like Paul Simon to do but dig deep for some words of solace? As he gazed out across the East River from the window of his New York apartment, he sang the opening lines he’d had for over a week. ‘When you’re weary/Feeling small/When tears are in your eyes/I will dry them all.’ He especially liked how the melody to the second couplet echoed one of his favourite Bach chorales.
After that promising start, however, there was only the sound of silence.
“I was stuck for a while,” Simon admits. “Everywhere I went led to somewhere I didn’t want to be.”
What ultimately inspired him to finish his “humble little gospel song” was an album by southern gospel group the Swan Silvertones: “Every time Simon came home, he would put that same record on, so it was in my mind. Simon goes on to says that he started to go to gospel chord changes, and took the melody further. Then there was one song where the lead singer was scatting, and he shouted out: ‘I’ll be your bridge over deep water/If you trust in my name.’ And, well, SImon goes on to say that he guess he stole it.” Simon couldn’t wait to play his new song for Art Garfunkel. With its sweeping melody and sustained high notes, it would be perfect for his partner’s choirboy-pure voice. Or so he thought.
On my theme picture for my new book , my sister has my face in the background looking over a bridge over a great deep valley tree scenery. I have being over some bridges of trouble water but I haven’t burned the bridges. I was taught that don't burn the bridges that brought you over.
A "bridge." It could be an enormous steel and concrete structure spanning a vast river complex or simply two ropes strung together over a stream in a rain forest, but in either case it was still a bridge. Even to civilians the bridge is of strategic importance as I hear encouraging motorists to take the toll bridge to work every morning . A new bridge in ada taylor took 5 years to build. As I watched the architecture build this bridge in Ada Taylor which took them 5 years. I began to realize that bridges take years to build and only a few moments to destroy.
Have you ever considered the Christian faith to be a bridge over the rough places in this life? In our scripture lesson we read of things to come (perhaps here already in some sense) that are terrible to think about. the key verse that stands out of all of these warnings is verse 19. Christ tells us; "In your patience possess your souls." Perhaps patience is the bridge that spans the gaps in our lives . . . between what we ourselves want and what God wants for us.
If we consider Christ or the Christian faith as a bridge and we consider patience in this same way, then we can perhaps gain an insight into the very nature of God. The Almighty has to be of omnipotent patience to abide the very actions of this sinful generation. As long as there have been churches and preachers and Christian lay-persons witnessing, you would think that the world would be a place overrun with people of patience; but unfortunately this is not the case.
How patient is God? Remember in the book of Genesis when God stood ready to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah: Abraham ask the almighty "Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?"(Genesis 18: 23-33) Then he goes on to seemingly test the Lord’s patience: "Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; would you also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked; far be it from you! Shall not the judge of the all earth do right?" Here we see an example of the patience of the Lord, the almighty being preached to by Abraham. But the story is not finished yet. . .God answers Abraham: "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes." But Abraham continues to whine, "Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would you destroy all the city for the lack of five?" And God said "If I find forty-five I will not destroy it." And Abraham spoke to God yet again and said "Suppose there should be forty found there?’ and God said "I will not do it for the sake of forty." But Abraham was not finished even yet. . . And he said, "Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: suppose thirty should be found there?. And God answered,"I will not do it if I find thirty there." And Abraham said: "Indeed now I have taken it upon myself the speak with the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?" And God answered, "I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty." And Abraham said: "Let not the Lord be angry and I will speak but once more: and he said, "Suppose only ten should be found there?" And the Lord said, "I will not destroy it for the sake for ten."
I think the first person I am going to seek out in heaven after meeting the Lord is Abraham. I want to meet someone with the brass that this fellow has. In the book of James we are told "Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering, affliction, and patience." (James 5:10) I would add to take here the example of the Lord and His patience with Abraham.
The scriptures tell us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, and in this perfection there is patience. This is the bridge that carries us across the abyss of human imperfections and links us to that infinite perfect patience found in God.
Often our patience is a bridge for others. In the 1960 era hit song by the folk duo Simon and Garfunkel they vocalize the theme that says, "Like a bridge over troubled waters I will lay me down" Few people realize that this is borrowed from an old southern Negro spiritual from well over a hundred years ago. There was a story that was told about in a little café in New Orleans sung by an old black man with a ragged guitar Long before Simon and Garfunkel sung it. The song goes on by saying, "When you’re weary, feeling down. When trouble is all around . . .I will comfort you." " I ’m on your side when things get bad. . . when friends just can’t be found; like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down." Pretty much the promise of God found in the words of this old spiritual reworked into a folk song. But what about "In your patience possess your soul", This warning by Christ in troubled times?
It is through our impatience that we find ourselves getting out of touch with God. . . out of step with our faith. . . out in left field when it comes to our own understanding of perfection. If we are to be perfect as we know God to be perfect, or if we strive for this perfection then we must be patient and wait upon the Lord in all things. In doing so we don’t lose touch and we are walking in His footsteps . . . we are in the center of His will.
If we expect God to be patient with us then we must learn patience in all things. With this patience there is a great degree of trust involved. So much in fact that it cannot be achieved without much prayer and divine guidance.
Then finally we look to that example of Christ and the enormous patience he displayed with that frail band of twelve that we know as the apostles. Through patience he bridged the very wide gaps of doubt and self interest they harbored in their own lives and bound them together in one strong faith. Today his love and patience helps us banish the differences that sometime arise between us a (church) (people). We struggle to learn, to live, to grow and become more like God would have us to be by building bridges over the spans in life that often appear to separate us. Sometimes they appear suddenly like great crevasses during earthquakes: other times they come as thou sand sifting away through the funnel of an hour glass. Yet always it is a task of love and self sacrifice and a venture in faith that requires super human effort in the area of patience, to bridge over the spaces in life that separate us. More than often it requires us to become that, "Bridge over troubled waters". As the old spiritual says: "Like a bridge over troubled waters. . .I will lay me down."
A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS
It’s a good thing that I didn’t know all the storms I’ve faced along my journey of faith. I’m fairly sure that I would have chickened out in those early days of faith if I had a glimpse over the bridge of the trials and tribulations. Are you in a storm today? If so, cheer up! Jesus wants to show you grace in a miraculous way!
All too often, we stop, turn away or pause on our journey of faith when the storms come against us. The disciples never turned their boat from their appointed direction. They remained obedient in their journey and then Jesus gives them a great blessing. Jesus was aware of their condition and He demonstrated in a very real way just how much He cared. Friend, Jesus cares for you in what ever situation you may find yourself in today.
In the midst of the storms of life we know that deep down in our hearts that God is in control – Amen? Yet we tremble in fear of the unknown. What will the next gust of wind bring? Will it overturn my life and turn me into a mess? At some point, we must connect with what we know is true with the reassuring voice of the Master because He is still the One that calms the storms today!
How can we connect with the Master’s voice today when He is on that hilltop in heaven sitting at the right hand of God? When the storms of life are about to knock us down, we MUST remember that even when it seems hopeless, we can and MUST go to the Master in prayer! It is only through this avenue of communications that we can find help.
Psalm 121:1-2 (NCV)
1 … I look up to the hills, but where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
When we don’t acknowledge the Master that healed us or delivered us from that temptation, we in essence are saying the same two letter word of doubt – “IF.”
When we need deliverance from the storms of life, often we give God our advice as to how to bring us out of the storm. “God I need this and that and this other thing.” When instead we should just call out to Him to bring us closer in anyway He chooses. Let us draw close to the Master that knows what is best for us. Let Him be the One that controls the elements that are prevailing against us. If we allow God to move in This way, we just may be amazed at how the Master works! We limit God with our own natural human boundaries. What we cannot do, God CAN!
While at McDonald's this past week I saw a grandmother almost in tears of frustration as she tried to strap her toddler granddaughter into a car seat. They couldn’t leave to go to their next destination until the little girl was safe and secure in the car seat. The little child kicked and screamed to the top of her lungs because that wasn’t her idea of having a safe journey. This little girl wanted to ride down the road and jump around that truck and endanger herself, her grandmother and anyone else they may have met on the road. It took the grandmother, a preacher and another stranger to distract this little girl enough that grandma was able to wrestle her into the car seat!
When we see God’s way of deliverance and if it doesn’t meet our expectations, we commence to kick and scream. Very often during an altar call, I see what is behind the eyes of those sitting in the pews. I see the hurt and pain. I see those struggling in fear and turmoil and I know that the way of deliverance is through Jesus. Yet they don’t come.
We often find ourselves distracted by the world. When focusing on Jesus, Satan will do all he can to throw obstacles in our pathways. It is these distractions that cause us to lose focus if we allow them to overtake our concentration. When in worship, we often look around at those sitting around us. At first it's only one thought but then another and then the other person pops into our minds. Next thing you know, we are sinking in our worship of Christ!
Many times we find ourselves sinking in life and can’t seem to even hear much less see our Savior because the outside winds of the world have caused us to completely lose focus on the One that can deliver us. We must consider Jesus offer to extend marvelous grace to all that call upon His name. It is grace like rain that falls upon any that draw close to the Master. If we take our eyes off the world, we will find marvelous grace that brings joy unspeakable and full of glory. Matthew 6:33, Jesus tells us the remedy – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”
A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
The Lord knows what we are going to do and so he uses our situation to give you and I a glimpse of what puffed up faith looks like.
Let me ask you a question, what do think you could do for the Kingdom if your faith wasn’t distracted? Could you walk on water? Could you do even greater things? If only we could only find a way to push away the distractions that are desperately trying to sink us. If we could only draw closer to Christ so that we can remain in union with Him and His love – leaving all our cares behind as we get drawn into His marvelous grace. Guess what? We can – we can right here right now!
This world has never seen what God can do with a person that has completely given a committed heart to Christ. I for one would like to find out what a group of folks could do if they commit themselves to the cause of Christ in a sick and dying world; a world where there isn’t much hope. Can you imagine how this community could be shaken for the Kingdom if we here today were to come together in an agreement that focuses our hearts and minds completely on Christ and NOTHING else? If anyone is interested, please meet me at this altar.
One young lady told her father that no matter what she did everything seemed to turn out wrong. She said she felt like giving up. (Has anybody here ever been there)?
Her father was a quiet man and he was a cook by trade. He listened to her and after she paused for a moment he asked her to follow him into the kitchen. He put three pots of water on the stove to boil. In the first pot he put a carrot. In the second pot he put an egg and in the third pot he put some coffee beans. He let them boil while his daughter waited impatiently. After they had finished boiling he took the carrot out and said see the carrot went in strong and hard and unrelenting but after being in the boiling water it became soft and weak. (Talk tough but really weak.) Next he was fragile when took the egg out and said this it went in but after going through the boiling water it looks the same but it is hard on the inside. (They look just like the other church folk but have become hard on the inside.) Next he asked her to taste the coffee. She said it had a strong taste. He said they all went into the same situation. The carrot became soft and the egg became hard on the inside but after the coffee went through the boiling water it became stronger and richer. Then he asked her; what are you a carrot, an egg, or coffee.
When the enemy attacked you remember that God is your refuge and your very present help in your time of need. He will preserve you when the fires of life are raging all around you and you will become stronger and richer.
A Bridge Over Troubled Waters
There has to be a solid foundation where we walk on to progress from one destination to the next in our spiritual life. Jesus Christ is the foundation on which we stand. He becomes our bridge when we encounter troubled waters.
Allows me to introduce the looking-towards principle.
Not looking at my trouble, but looking towards to my blessing.
Not looking at my desert storm, but looking towards to my sunny day.
Not looking at what Man says about me, but looking towards to God’s deliverance.
Not looking at my current situation, but looking towards to my breakthrough that’s coming.
Not looking at my present storm, but looking towards to when the storm blows over.
(Isaiah 40:28-31)
(Psalm 16:8)
You might be troubled on every side, yet not distressed
Perplexed, but not in despair.
Persecuted, but not forsaken.
Cast down, but not destroyed.
For this cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.When God’s supernatural power meets natural man, a transformation takes place. He then walks in a new nature.It’s an inside job.We are made in God’s image.Situations a gate, circumstances a door (Psalm 24: 7-10).People waiting for big name preacher to come to town for their healing. I’m not waiting for summer day camp meeting. I will seek and trust God for myself.While Evangelists sell miracle water at these meetings, I’m going to the mercy seat.Situations like a flood. The floods lift up their voice, but the Lord is mightier than many waters.
So Paul Simon began to write the lyrics and is go like this
When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all, is all around
Just like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Just like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Sail on silver girl
Sail on by Your time has come to shine
All of your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you ever need a friend
Look around I'm sailing right behind
Just like a bridge over troubled water
I'll be there to lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
PRAY WITH ME
LORD I CAN’T HANDLE THIS ON MY ON.
I NEED YOUR HELP.
I MAY NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THINGS HAPPEN THE WAY THAT THEY DO.
BUT I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW ALL THINGS AND YOU ARE WORKING THINGS OUT FOR MY GOOD.
THIS IS A DAY THAT YOU HAVE MADE AND I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.
ORDER MY STEPS THAT I MAY FOLLOW YOU.
FORGIVE ME OF MY SINS.
BRIDLE MY TOngue THAT I WOULD SPEAK NO EVIL.
OPEN MY EYES TO THOSE THINGS, WHICH ARE HIDDEN.
KEEP MY MIND STAYED ON YOU.
AMEN
