Can you answer this, believer? Can you find any reason why you are so often mourning instead of rejoicing? Why yield to gloomy anticipations? Who told you that the night would never end in day? Who told you that the sea of circumstances would ebb out till there should be nothing left, but long leagues of the mud of horrible poverty? Who told you that the winter of your discontent would proceed from frost to frost, from snow, and ice, and hail, to deeper snow, and yet more heavy tempest of despair?

Do you not know that day follows night, that flood comes after ebb, that spring and summer succeed to winter? Then continue to hope! Never stop hoping! for God never will fail you. Do you not know that your God loves you in the midst of all this?

Mountains, when in darkness hidden, are as real as in day, and God's love is as true to you now as it was in your brightest moments. No father chastens always: your Lord hates the rod as much as you do: he only cares to use it for that reason which should make you willing to receive it, namely, that it works your lasting good.

You shall yet climb Jacob's ladder with the angels, and behold Him who sits at the top of it - your covenant God. You shall yet, amidst the splendours of eternity, forget the trials of time, or only remember them to bless the God who led you through them, and performed your lasting good by them.

Come, sing in the midst of tribulation. Rejoice even while passing through the furnace. Make the wilderness to blossom like the rose! Cause the desert to ring with your exulting joys, for these light afflictions will soon be over, and then 'forever with the Lord', your bliss shall never wane.

C.H. Spurgeon, Morning & Evening, 21/07

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Remember, keep hoping in God's promises; they are "yea and in him Amen" (2 Cor. 1:20). Use the measure of faith which has been given to you - the Faith of Jesus. In doing so we will glorify the Father. His Word will not return unto Him void.

We would like to thank those who have written to us and expressed their appreciation for our ministry. And we would encourage others to write us; please share your needs with us so that we could encourage you personally and pray for you.

Remember, that "the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Peter 5:9). You may feel that you are the only one going through severe trials; you may have had to forsake family, friends, or a job for the sake of the gospel; you've gone from church to church and from denomination to denomination and have found nothing but empty ritual and religion without a relationship with the true and living God - Yahweh. You are not alone. God has not forsaken His people. He knows where each and every one of you are and cares for you. Some day, maybe very soon, the trial of your faith will be over and your faith will become sight.

Fight a good fight, finish your course, keep the faith, and you will receive a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to those who love his appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:22)

Brother Tony and Sister Tanya, servants of Yahweh, the most high God.