“And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?”- Ex. 4:11

I’ll never forget the shock when I noticed this verse for the first time. God takes credit for things that some would never think to attribute to Him. He wants us to understand that He is in control even when everything seems to be against us. He who created and controls the universe orders every detail in our life, without ever making a mistake, nor being unjust. Until a person accepts that as a fact he will never find peace.

Arthur Christopher Bacon wrote : A visitor at a school for the deaf and dumb was writing questions on the blackboard for the children. By and by he wrote this sentence: “Why has God made me to hear and speak, and made you deaf and dumb?” The awful sentence fell upon the little ones like a fierce blow in the face. They sat palsied before that dreadful “Why?” And then a little girl arose.

Her lip was trembling. Her eyes were swimming with tears. Straight to the board she walked, and, picking up the crayon, wrote with firm hand these precious words: “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight!” What a reply! It reaches up and lays hold of an eternal truth upon which the maturest believer as well as the youngest child of God may alike securely rest—the truth that God is your Father.
Do you mean that? Do you really and fully believe that? When you do, then your dove of faith will no longer wander in weary unrest, but will settle down forever in its eternal resting place of peace. “Your Father!”

I can still believe that a day comes for all of us, however far off it may be, when we shall understand; when these tragedies, that now blacken and darken the very air of heaven for us, will sink into their places in a scheme so august, so magnificent, so joyful, that we shall laugh for wonder and delight.

No chance hath brought this ill to me;
’Tis God’s own hand, so let it be,
He seeth what I cannot see.
There is a need-be for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Like as a piece of tapestry
Viewed from the back appears to be
Naught but threads tangled hopelessly;
But in the front a picture fair
Rewards the worker for his care,
Proving his skill and patience rare.
Thou art the Workman, I the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Thy Name,
Perfect Thine image on the same.
—Selected

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.”– Psa. 107:27-28

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner
Friend with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in the battle alone?
Remember-at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is just where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?
Remember-at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Your work before you spread,
A mountain of tasks unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember–at “Wit’s End Corner”
The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Then you’re just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not:
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is the “God who is able” proved.
— Poem by Antoinette Wilson

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“My times are in Thy hand….” –  Psalms 31:15

The vast majority of the world is worried. Just about everyone is fearful of something–some so much so that their days are spent in misery. That’s a terrible way to live. Thankfully we don’t have to live like that. Those who know God know certain important truths about God, and it is in those facts that they find faith to face life without fear. Our text is one of those facts wherein we find rest for our soul.

James Smith wrote: Every event is under Divine control. Nothing is left to chance.The hand of God is in all that occurs; directing, overruling, and sanctifying to our good. He appointed all that concerns us, and appointed all in infinite wisdom and love; therefore we should not judge rashly, or conclude hastily. We know not what may occur today, but we know that the purpose of God cannot be frustrated, nor can His purpose fail. He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. He says, “My purpose shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.” But this is our comfort, that He taketh pleasure in His people, and in the prosperity of His servants. Let us consider, then, everything passes under our Father’s eye; is overruled by our Saviour’s power; is directed by the Holy Spirit to do us good. It shall not be as our enemies wish, or as our hearts fear; but as our God and Father pleases, and has ordained. Be not therefore anxious, troubled, or cast down; the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, and He is God. He shall preserve thee from evil, He shall preserve thy soul.

 I know not what may soon betide,
 But Jesus knows, and He’ll provide;
 My life is by His counsel plann’d,
 And all my times are in His hand:
 I’ll therefore trust, nor yield to fear, But cast on Jesus all my care. 

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.”– John 7:37.

Some stop too soon in their quest for a satisfying experience of the Lord. They get this blessing or that and settle down there and make their blessing an end in itself and a yardstick by which they measure everybody else. The part becomes greater than the whole. They major on the gift instead of on the Giver. Others experience no “blessing” at all, give up and resign themselves to a dry faith, and plod along through dull and mediocre years.

Others go too far. They run past the Lord into delusions and excesses and fall into snares of demonism. Pitiful cases they are, starting out honestly and earnestly, but not guided by the Word.

Jesus simply invites us to Himself, whether for rest (Mt. 11:28) or for the Spirit’s fullness (Jn. 7:37), and guarantees that if we come He will not cast us out (Jn. 6:37). It is not difficult to get to Jesus if we really want to come. And anyone who gets through to Him will be all right. “All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him.”- Vance Havner

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”— Psa. 42:11 
However gloomy the day, however strange the trials, however distressing the visitation, hope thou in God. He is with you, He is your God, He hath promised to befriend you, He is the faithful God. He will turn darkness into light, make crooked things straight, and make all grace abound towards you, so that you, having all sufficiency, may abound to every good work. The changes that affect you, cannot affect Him. You cannot rely too simply upon Him, or expect too much from Him. If all, within and without, seem to conspire to distress you, still say, “I will hope in God.” Expect Him to be to you all a gracious and powerful God can be: expect Him to do all a loving Father and infinite God can do. Hope for light in darkness, for relief in distress, for strength in weakness, for joy in sorrow, for deliverance when sinking beneath the wave, and for life in death. Hope for all you need, and for all God has promised. Hope thou in God, and in God alone. Hope because God has spoken, because He is true and faithful, and you cannot hope in vain. The foundation of your hope is laid in the blood of Jesus and the oath of God.
 Hope in the Lord, whose mighty hand
 Can all thy woes remove;
 For thou shalt yet before Him stand,
 And sing restoring love. — James Smith

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346