Grace for Trials

<p>Annie Johnson Flint was crippled by severe arthritis just a few years after high school. She never walked again and relied on others to help care for her needs. Because of her poetry and hymns, she received many visitors, including a deaconess who felt discouraged about her own ministry. When the visitor returned home, she wrote to Annie, wondering why God allowed such hard things in her life. &nbsp;</p> <p>In response, Annie sent a poem: &ldquo;God hath not promised skies always blue, flower-strewn pathways all our lives through. . . .&rdquo; She knew from experience that suffering often occurred, but that God would never abandon those He loves. Instead He promised to give &ldquo;grace for the trials, help from above, unfailing sympathy, undying love.&rdquo; You may recognize that poem as the hymn &ldquo;What God Hath Promised.&rdquo;</p> <p>Moses also suffered and faced strife, but He knew God&rsquo;s presence was with him. When he passed his leadership of the Israelites to Joshua, he told the younger man to be strong and courageous, because &ldquo;the <smallcaps>Lord</smallcaps> your God goes with you&rdquo; (Deuteronomy 31:6). Moses, knowing that the people of Israel would face formidable enemies as they entered and took the Promised Land, said to Joshua, &ldquo;Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged&rdquo; (v. 8).</p> <p>Disciples of Christ will face hardship and strife in this fallen world, but we have God&rsquo;s Spirit to comfort and encourage us. He will never leave us.</p>