today! - Jack Van Impe Ministries

By Dr. Rexella Van Impe
the rough spots. When I am
unsteady, His hand gives me
support. When I grow weary,
I can lean on Him to make it
to a place of rest. He is always
with me! I am never alone! Let
the searing heat of the sun beat
down, or the howling winds and
the drenching rains of adversity
assail — I am sheltered in the
arms of God!
July–August 2010 | Perhaps Today | 7
Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions,
in distresses for Christ’s sake:
for when I am weak, then am I
strong (verses 9-10).
In good times and bad times,
when the road is smooth or
rough, the Shepherd is with us,
providing strength for the day
and grace for the journey. Jack
on a Dangerous Road
Jesus said, Enter ye in at
the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction,
and many there be which go
in thereat: because strait is the
gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it (Matthew
7:13-14).
Wait a minute — what’s
the deal? I come to Jesus
expecting to be led on an easy
path. Instead I find myself on
a rough trail over treacherous
terrain, with no other road
so dangerous. What benefit
or advantage is mine as a
Christian? Ah, here it is, in
Hebrews 13:5 — for he hath
said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.
We are never alone
The road may be narrow, but
it is wide enough for Jesus, the
Great Shepherd, to walk along
beside me and guide me gently
over the rugged pathway. When
I feel weak, He lifts me over
There may be times when
I feel as strong and agile as a
mountain goat, bounding up the
pathway, dancing across narrow
ledges over deep crevices. Then
the Shepherd stays with me
step for step, rejoicing in each
victorious move I take. And
when exuberance drives me to
walk too closely to the edge and
deliberately wander into harm’s
way, His staff firmly directs me
back upon the solid rock.
On other days my feet may
be clumsy, stumbling over the
smallest pebble on the roadway,
tripping over the tiniest crack.
And my strength may fail before
the day is half done. But my
companion on the road, the
Great Shepherd, is close at
hand. Can you hear His words
of encouragement? Listen! My
grace is sufficient for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in
weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Oh, my soul cries out with
the Apostle Paul, Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in
my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me.
and I receive many letters and
e-mail messages from friends
across this country and literally
from all over the world who
are seeking prayer. The needs
and problems they share are
absolutely overwhelming.
A young man struggles to
overcome his addiction to
drugs ... a single mother tries
to be both mother and father to
her children and earn enough
to keep them fed, clothed,
and sheltered ... a despairing
husband watches his companion
of 40 years being dragged into
the darkness of Alzheimer’s
disease ... many families are
victims of unrelenting financial
pressure.
What can you say to people
with such great hurts and
sufferings? How about: ... with
God all things are possible
(Matthew 19:26). And: ... lo, I am
with you always, even unto the
end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
Truly those are great promises
of faith and strength to hold on
to in times of trouble.
But here’s one that speaks