Every year I
use a different mix of devotionals to try to read every day. Sometimes I do have to play catch up. This year I have started a new book, God’s Little Devotion Book for Leaders,
one in a series of little devotion books.
I was ordering another copy of the one on prayer when Amazon kindly
showed me a picture of an eagle on the front of the one for leaders. So, I bought both books, making Amazon so
happy for tempting yet another customer.
However, I
am finding that the giant retailer did me a favor. Even just some pages into the devotional for
leaders, I am finding it an interesting and encouraging book. So far, it recounts the ventures considered
impossible that some daring and confident person succeeded in achieving,
matching it with a related scripture.
One story was about building a railroad through the Andes Mountains in
the 1880s. Some of the finest engineers
were presented with various possible routes, but they declared such a feat
could not be done.
As a last
resort, a 60 year old Polish engineer, Ernest Malinowski, was consulted and
believed a railroad could be built through the mountains. What he constructed despite revolutions
holding up construction and other difficulties “ is considered one of the great
engineering marvels of the world.” It
went through 62 tunnels and across 30 bridges.
In big, bold letters on the page opposite the story are the words, “Never, never, never . . . give up,
followed by a verse from Galatians 6:9. “And
let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we
do not lose heart.” The first part of
this verse is on a picture frame, a $1.00 find at a rummage sale, in our living
room so God can continue to remind me of these encouraging words.
Another
verse about our hearts that has uplifted me in a similar way is in Luke 18:1. Jesus “spoke to them that men always ought to
pray and not lose heart.” The NIV
version ends with “not give up.” This
begins the parable of “The Persistent Widow.”
The ungodly judge finally granted her the request she sought because she
did not quit coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my
adversary.” It is God’s strength,
guidance and encouragement that enable us to be seekers that do not quit.
At the end
of the story of the engineer who built the railroad through tunnels and over
bridges high in the mountains is this observation: “Obstacles are meant to be hurdled.” God does call us to be both persistent and
even daring as we look to Him with expectancy.
“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain
mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
May God help us to
be such people of faith, persistent and bold
in the face of “impossibilities.”
