Lesson 271 THE END OF MY ROPE

Army of Tennessee Chaplain David Chaltas

THE END OF MY ROPE

Have you ever thought that you have reached the end of your rope?  I know there have been several times in my life in which I believed that I had reached the end of my rope and simply felt like I was ready to give up the ghost.  Yet, somehow, no someone, always pulled me through and upon reflection, the experience made me stronger.  The burdens that I bear, the cross that I carry, and life’s challenges are part of life’s development though at the time I couldn’t see the forest for the trees.   

Yes, I admit that sometimes I just don’t get it.  I question God regarding why I carried  such a weight and why I was so weary.  Why was I so sick?  Am I to be yoked to suffering and anguish for all my life?  I don’t understand at times.  Still I survived and somehow flourished under the weight.

But then I came to the realization and revelation.  It is not that we suffer but how we suffer that matters.  Suffering for Christ is to be considered a privilege.  If God takes you to it, He will take you through it.  We have His promise in writing.

The Bible affirms the suffering of Christ for our sins.  The Bible also talks of the temptation of Christ and how He suffered.  Imagine going forty days in the wilderness without food or water.  He felt the sting of hunger and depravity.  He was tempted but found His strength in the teachings of His Heavenly Father.  Angels came to strengthen Him, as the Holy Spirit comes to fortify us.  

The agony in the garden witnessed Christ pleading with His father for the cup to pass Him by.  He sweated tears of blood, as His spirit moaned for relief.  Upon completion of His petitions, He drank from the bitter cup and suffered with dignity of the Great Immortal encased within a mortal shell, as he hung for six hours between heaven and earth.  

In all things, Christ leads us by example.  He left us with a blueprint for life.  The Bible tells us in I Peter 5:7 that you must, “Cast all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.”  He set the pattern as stated in 1 Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” 

No matter our lot, no matter our burden, no matter our pain, God is our refuge.  Psalms 55:22 states to, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”  Note the words:  He SHALL SUSTAIN THEE.  To me, that is an affirmation and confirmation from God Almighty to meet my needs according to His riches in glory.  He has never failed me yet though I fail Him constantly.  Yet on a still night, I sometimes can hear His voice on the wind. Above the thunder, I hear Him gently calling me and comforting me.  Oh what a wonderful savior!  His voice is always there, the problem comes with the listener not paying attention. 

The book of Hebrews 4: 15-16 offers us even more validation of His love for us:  “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  In Proverbs 3: 5-6 God instructs us to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”  God knows our troubles.  He knows our sorrows.  He has been in our shoes.  This we take on faith that He will be with us through the trials.  And when we lean upon Him, our burden is lifted.  Matthew 11:30 states, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  The book of Colossians, chapter 1, verse 24, tells us to rejoice:  "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His Body (which is the Church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions."

Friends He carried our burdens and the cross that He bore was for us.  Our yoke is light because of His sacrifices.  So the next time you reach the end of your rope, simply reach for the helm of His garment.  Holding on to the treads of His garment, I remain humbled to serve as the old general