March 2, 2025
OUTLASTING THE BLUES
“Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.”
~ Psalm 102:1-2 (NIV) ~
During a dark period ofAbraham Lincoln’s life, at the young age of 32, he wrote:
“I am now the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be one cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever be better I cannot tell; I awfully forebode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible; I must die or be better, it appears to me.
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It’s hard to believe these words were written by one of our nation’s most significant leaders.And it’s hard to believe that years later this same despairing man was able to write:
“The year that is drawing toward the close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. These bounties are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.”
Abraham Lincoln’s early years were filled with failure. Yet, the final years of life, though certainly not free from struggle, were years of happiness, fulfillment, achievement, and success.
Because of his capacity to outlast the blues, Lincoln experienced in this life the enormity of God’s blessing. He didn’t give up hope, even when it seemed he had no reason to hope.
This week, as we begin to look at the book of Ruth, we see first of all a widow feeling very much as Abraham Lincoln did feeling as though her life was stuck in a deep pit of despair.
“‘Don't call me Naomi,’ she told them. ‘Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.’” ~ Ruth 1:20-21 (NIV) ~
The same could be said for King David.As you read through the Psalms, you get a glimpse of his struggles and heartaches.
“O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me. Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; my bones have no soundness because of my sin. My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” ~ Psalm 38:1-4 (NIV) ~
And though his life was not without tragedy, David ended his days enjoying the benefits of God’s blessing in his life. In a phrase, David outlasted the blues.
His final words, recorded in 2 Samuel 23, were:
“Is not my house right with God? Has he not made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part? Will he not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire?” ~ 2 Samuel 23:5 (NIV) ~
It’s almost as if the reward for tenacity is that our problems eventually give up and leave us alone. We certainly see in scripture that clinging steadfastly to hope in God’s mercy ultimately pays off far beyond our greatest hopes.
Today, you may be facing the anguish of Psalm 38 or 102. But there’s more to your story than just what you are experiencing today. God will bring to fruition your salvation, full and complete.And he will grant your heart’s desires. This gives us a reason to keep on to outlast the blues.
Blessings on your week even though you may have to work on overcoming the blues in your life. The work will be worth the reward. I hope to see you this Sunday in worship. This Sunday morning, I am beginning a 4-part sermon series I am calling RUTH:ASTORY OF REDEMPTION. This Sunday we will look at Journey from Bad to Better.
Pastor Terrell
HELLO MARCH!
YOUTH GROUP Students in grades 7-12 Wednesdays 6:30 PM at the CABIN !
Sunday Morning Youth Bible Study 9 AM to 10 AM at the Cabin !
IF YOU NEED HELP Deacon of the Week:
Morning Worship at a Glance
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” “It is You” “Forever”
Welcome & Offertory Prayer “Rejoice!” “Ancient Words” FINDING
Kidz4Christ dismissed
2820 N. Pleasant View Drive Prescott Valley, AZ 86314
928-772-7218
www.firstsouthernpv.org
Church Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Senior Pastor Terrell Eldreth: 619-244-6265
Worship Pastor Bart Young 928-254-8713
1:1-22
“Step by Step” “Yes, Lord, Yes”
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