Ditch the Ditch

Several years ago as Mr. Bill made his way to his deer stand, he had a strange experience.  On the otherwise familiar path, he began to stumble in the morning darkness. The daylight revealed tree roots exposed where wild hogs had literally plowed the ground as they "rooted" for vegetation. Mr. Bill eventually met Mr. Hog, and I don't think it was a friendly meeting!

 

God knows how very difficult the journey is, and how we desperately struggle just to stay on our feet!  He describes us in Isaiah 40:29-30 as faint, weak, weary, and falling. We’re oft quick to say we're ready for ... whatever --  only to find the "whatevers" swallow us whole!  Flinging our arms up in desperation then crumbling beneath the heaviness, we end up in [as Pastor Tony named it] ... the Ditch of Despair.  He said that Ditch is really a "grave with both ends kicked out."  Sound familiar?  That ditch is not where God wants us -- we are not ditch dwellers!  Paul's words are music to our ears: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed." (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).  We are overcomers -- not distressed! not in despair! not forsaken! not destroyed!  Take that, Satan!  Christ redeemed us for victorious living!  His promises are as good as the day they were penned: "Fear thou not; For I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My Righteousness." (Isaiah 41:10).  Because of Christ, the day and the way are ours -- He promised!  Ditch the Ditch!