Sometimes we feel “where never is heard a discouraging word” is a Utopia existing only in dreams. Despair and pessimism are rampant. Bad news is all we ever hear. Futurists have little optimistic to predict. When it seems discouraging words are all we hear, we can take a walk through the New Testament and revel in transforming truths.
Jesus Christ is our Travel Companion. (Matthew 28:20)
Earth’s saddest day and gladdest day were just three days apart. (Mark 16:6)
The gospel story captivates us and cheers us on. (Luke 1:31-33)
The Holy Spirit brings peace in pandemonium. (John 14:16, 27)
Christ’s return gives reason for living until paradise is restored. (Acts 1:8-11)
In the darkness, dawn approaches. (Romans 13)
Believers are victors, not victims. (1 Corinthians 15)
We enjoy freedom, not shackles. (2 Corinthians 1:19-20; 3:17; 10:3-5)
Our Heavenly Father cares for us, His children. (Galatians 3:26)
Prayer opens the window to infinite resources. (Ephesians 3: 20)
Christ unlocks the secret to surviving every situation. (Philippians 4:13)
Unimaginable glory is waiting just around the corner. (Colossians 3:4)
God is the Eternal Optimist—we can be too. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
The Prince of Peace brings peace at all times and in all situations. (2 Thessalonians 2)
Jesus came to earth to solve our biggest problem—guilt. (1 Timothy 1:15)
God gives power to live, love to relate, and self-discipline to mature. (2 Timothy 1)
Christ is our Blessed Hope. (Titus 2:13)
Active sharing of faith’s perspective helps us grow up in Christ. (Philemon 1:6)
At the throne of prayer, we find mercy for our sins and grace for struggles. (Hebrews 4)
A humble attitude ensures help from the Almighty. (James 4:10)
Trust causes joy beyond words. (1 Peter 1:8)
Internalizing God’s Word purifies us from moral filth. (2 Peter 1:4)
In Jesus, there is certainty in all circumstances. (1 John 1:4, 5)
We can count on Unchanging Truth. (2 John 1:2)
Life’s greatest blessing is enjoying the pleasure of God’s company. (3 John)
God is our Source of eternal security. (Jude 1:24, 25)
The United Kingdom is on the way. (Revelation 11:15; 22:21)
When we take this walk, God’s encouraging Word always lifts our spirit.
You have said: love is built to last for ever;
you have fixed your constancy firm in the heavens.
PSALM 89:2 TNJB
Governments do not last, but My promise does.
The future is as bright as My Word, which I fully intend to keep.
My plan for eternity centers on My Son—Christ will reign forever.
His throne will never be toppled by earthly powers.
His justice will make all things right and unite the unsettled nations.
I decided eons ago to solve the world’s problems through Christ.
You can count on My covenant.
The firm law of yesterday is built to last.
Gadgets do not last, but My power does.
My awesomeness is written clearly across every page of the universe.
The cosmos marches in step to My orders.
Myriads of angels sing My praises.
You can count on My creation.
The festive language of Yes is built to last.
Games do not last, but My praise does.
People pay for entertainment that eventually loses its appeal.
Even those with the most toys eventually die.
The cross of Christ towers over the wrecks of time—glory in it.
Outgrow mortal toys—reach for immortal joys.
You can count on My celebration.
My forever loyalty through all the years is built to last.
Glamour does not last, but My Presence does.
Depend on My almighty power—hold My hand and be strong.
Hide in My grace—enjoy the shelter of My heart.
Rest in My faithfulness—relax in My perfect care.
You can count on My constancy. The faithful love of Yahweh is built to last.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 223, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Strike up the music, beat the tambourine, play the melodious harp and the lyre;
blow the trumpet for the new month, for the full moon, for our feast day!
PSALM 81:2-3 TNJB
I am your Vital Strength.
When you feel like giving up, I give persevering courage—
so you can keep on keeping on. O to grace how great a debtor daily you are constrained to be (Robert Robinson,
“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”).*
I am your Power.
Outsoar mediocrity—outrun temptation—outwalk lethargy.
I am your Victorious Success.
When you are on the verge of losing the battle with sin—
I inspire you to purify your heart.
I am your Purity.
You are prone to wander from the God you love.
Let My goodness, like a fetter, bind your wandering heart to Me.*
I am your Visiting Support.
When you are burdened by the taxing cares of life—
I invite you to trade your struggle for My serenity.
I am your Peace. Praise My name—you are fixed upon it, Name of My redeeming love.*
I am your Vision in the Storm.
When you think nobody is listening, and you are frazzled by stress—
My theophany sets your heart at rest.
I am your Paraclete.
I am the Fount of every blessing—I tune your heart to sing My praise.*
I am your Veritable Supply.
When you are afraid you are about to run out of critical necessities—
I reassure you by supplying everything you need through Christ. Give Me your heart, let Me seal it for My courts above.*
I am your Provision.
Meditate on My generosity—let music and gladness fill your soul.
I am your Vivacious Song.
When you are down-in-the-mouth for no particular reason—
I give you a melody that puts a spring in your step. Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.*
I am your Praise.
On your journey toward heaven, I am your Traveling Music.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 221, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. Psalm 55:22 KJV
“This too shall pass” is not found in the Bible. It’s in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Scripture does offer comfort and encouragement by expressing this truth in different words.
“It came to pass” appears thousands of times in the King James Version. One man testified, “When I’m pestered with trouble and difficulty, I pick up the blessed book of the living God, and I never read very far before I come across those words ‘It came to pass.’ Then I say ‘praise the Lord! I’m glad it didn’t come to stay, it came to pass!’” Though a misinterpretation of the literal meaning, truth he celebrated instills hope in hearts going through hard times.
The apostle Paul was inspired to write, “Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now, rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT).
Though life is pleasant in many ways, sometimes we “walk in the midst of trouble” (Psalm 138:7). Yet difficulties are parenthetical—they’ll all be behind us when we live in a tearless, painless, deathless, sinless place.
Gracie Allen wrote “Never place a period where God has placed a comma.” Troubles we endure now will soon be history. Glory will make us forget gloom. Paradise will eradicate pain. All creation will celebrate total freedom, alongside the redeemed.
We should not let winter freeze our hope—spring’s just around the corner. When God’s New World Symphony is debuted, the universe will stand to its feet in thunderous applause.
In his book The Passing of the Night, Robinson Risner, senior POW in Vietnam, recounts seeing a single blade of grass through a crack in his cell wall that sustained him for months. If we treasure the promises of God, faith will sustain us as we travel rough roads.
“Well get through this together” is something we hear frequently during this COVID-19 pandemic. There’s comfort in shared frustration, but we have a Helper infinitely better than other humans. To get through this, we can do better than a DIY approach—we can draw nearer to God in prayer and find strength and courage. After this unnerving time has come to pass, we will praise the Lord for helping us. We might even say to one another, “I’m glad it didn’t come to stay!”
It is my grief that the right hand of the Most High has changed. PSALM 77:10 NRSV
Crying to a Good Source is a sincere quest.
Hold nothing back—let your tears flow freely in My Presence.
When you are in deep trouble, reach for the Most High God.
Pray all night long, if you feel the need—I bless desperation.
You need My Presence more than sleep—only in Me can you rest.
I hear your problems.
Urgent faith consoles you in life’s search.
Contemplating a grievous situation raises serious questions.
The difference between your sad now and your happy then hurts.
The good old days seem to never repeat themselves.
Your heart aches pondering the apparent absence of My love.
Heavy questions bother your mind and burden your soul.
Never forget—the Comforter will not leave you.
Never doubt—the Encourager will not orphan you.
Never fear—the Advocate will not forget you.
Never worry—the Sovereign will not fail to take good care of you.
I heal your pain.
Ultimate focus changes life’s sufferings.
Considering a Great Savior results in serene quietness.
Preoccupying your mind with My love tranquilizes panic.
I am the Good Shepherd—follow Me to heavenly peace and quiet.
“No pain, no gain” encapsulates more truth than you can imagine.
There are no rainbows without rain.
You could not appreciate calm without weathering storms.
You would not celebrate spring if you did not shiver through winter.
You would never know the thrill of dawn without lonely nights.
There could not have been a resurrection without a crucifixion.
You could not walk golden streets if Jesus had not walked the Via Dolorosa.
Hard times strengthen character—tears cleanse the soul.
Coal under pressure makes diamonds—trouble purifies the heart.
I give you historical perspective and hopeful prospects.
Unseen footprints carry you through life’s storms.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 220 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.
PSALM 73:26 NLT
Life is difficult, but you can depend on Me whatever happens. Circumstances may depress, but inner-stances delight if you trust Me. In a quicksand world, I am the Solid Rock—your Firm and Faithful Friend. Never give up—though your body is dying, your inner being is being renewed day by day. Your troubles are small potatoes compared to the glory of paradise. Hard times are temporary—heaven is forever.
Believe I am real—trust My perfect wisdom, power, and love. Let these realities become your unflinching confession of faith. Opinions are carried around like a suitcase and just as easily dropped. But convictions carry you around and are your driving motivation—they are more than ideas in your mind; they possess your mind.
Believe I am righteous—be good for something, My smile. Life’s unfair conundrum is the Job problem—a question of justice. Wicked people get away with murder; you cannot get away with anything. They think I do not realize what is going on, or that I am powerless to do anything about it. You attempt to understand why the rebellious succeed while the righteous suffer—it is puzzling to you. When bad things happen to good people, you wonder if you are being good for nothing. At the end of the day, the world will feel the heat and see the Light.
Believe I am redemptive—let the Good Shepherd tend your life. The universal church is the circle of My children around the world who implicitly depend on Me and worship Me with all their heart. Believe I am Ruler—bow your knee at the mention of My Name. The inevitable consequences of ignoring Me will be crystal clear at the crash site of sin’s slippery slope. Rebels will have hell to pay! Defectors will face court martial before the Judge of the universe.
I am your Counselor giving you a creed for troublesome times. I am your Travel Companion on the journey, Guide through life’s maze, Center of Gravity in a topsy-turvy world, Designer of your mansion, Guardian of your heart, Sustaining Breath, and Perfect Storm Shelter.
Believe I am reliable—lean your whole weight on the Rock of Ages. Every other staff you lean on breaks and pierces your hand and heart—I am the Only Completely Reliable Spot in the universe. Whatever fails, rest assured the Almighty never will disappoint you—you can trust Me.
(c) Pastor Johnny R. Almond
Day 219, Gentle Whispers from Eternity
I've lost it; I’m wasted. God – quickly, quickly!
Quick to my side, quick to my rescue! GOD, don’t lose a minute.
PSALM 70:5 THE MESSAGE
Through all time and eternity, rest assured I will encircle you.
In your panic, you wish I would hurry.
Opponents think they have got you, but they do not—I have you.
Enemies of your soul will be disgraced, but you will not be.
Do not let the sense of being targeted and wished ill overwhelm you.
Unfailing Love encompasses you—death’s terror, life’s trouble,
demons’ distractions, today’s fears, tomorrow’s worries—
none of these things can come between us, because we are inseparable.
In My gracious time, rest assured I will educate you.
In your praise, do your best to honor Me.
I engineer life’s circumstances for the good of those who love Me.
Time educates for eternity—you are enrolled in Adversity University.
Friction polishes the gem—hurt can help you grow in holiness.
Unforgettable lessons instruct you—be sure you learn them well.
In My own good time, rest assured I will enrich you.
In your poverty, count on My compassionate help.
The One who died for you lives for you—and He is praying for you.
In My time, I will replace sin’s ugliness with heaven on earth.
Unimaginable lavishness is preparing a mansion with your name on it.
In My glorious time, rest assured you will exult in Me.
Glory will make you forget gloom—paradise will eradicate pain.
All creation will one day celebrate total freedom—and so will you.
Do not let winter freeze your hope—spring is just around the corner.
Wait patiently and confidently—heaven is sure as sunrise.
I orchestrate life’s every detail for the good of those who worship Me.
When My New World Symphony is debuted,
the universe will stand to its feet in thunderous applause.
Unending Life encourages you—My promises brighten the future.
(c) PastorJohnny R. Almond, Day 218 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer
and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me.
PSALM 66:20 NLT
I have not rejected your prayer—I have responded to you.
When you confess your wrongdoing, I cleanse your soul.
When you cry out in desperation, I pay attention to your pain.
When you plead for help, I do not turn a deaf ear.
Prayer is always a local call—wherever you are, I can hear you.
Praise Me for an audience with the King.
I have not restricted your praise—I have released you.
You do not have to hide your faith as a secret disciple—breathe free.
You do not have to stifle your joy—sing My praises for all the world.
I have made you genuinely rich by giving you a contented mind.
My gift to you is out-of-your-world peace.
Praise Me for invulnerable joy greater than any earthly happiness.
I have not refused your pleas—I have reinforced you.
My awesome miracles on your behalf irrefutably prove My love.
Enemies of your soul, including the evil one, cringe at My power.
Trust in Me—and trouble will not get you down.
Stay close to Me—and the prince of the world will not conquer you.
Praise Me for supernatural assistance.
I have not removed your problems—I have refined you.
Adversity is My University—trust Me and pass the tests of your faith.
Time educates you for eternity—prepare for your final exam.
Low points teach you lessons you would never learn any other way.
The fiery crucible purges filth—trying floodwaters remove debris.
I defend in guilt, comfort in sorrow, and encourage in frustration.
Praise Me for being your Travel Companion on rough roads.
I have not renounced My promises—I have redeemed you.
My Son became a Sacrificial Lamb to buy your freedom from sin.
I keep all My promises to you—I am the God of My Word.
With all my heart, I love you—love Me the same way.
Praise Me for the honor of serving the God of Truth and Love.
(C) Pastor Johnny R. Almond, Day 217 Gentle Whispers from Eternity
Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Psalm 62:11, 12NLT
No force in the universe is more powerful than the Most High. Artificial light cannot outshine the sun and moon I spoke into existence. Technological advances never do away with the overwhelming need to humbly bow before the Almighty. The Most High God is transcendent—holy, high, above all, outside everything created, distant from earth.
Yet no friend anywhere is more personal than the God who is Love—immanent, nearer than your hands and feet, closer than your very breath. I am big enough to rule the world, and small enough to live in your heart.
Because My Son condescended to become a human being, you can see My glory in His face—He reflects My love and faithfulness. No one is nearer My heart than He is—the closer you draw to Him, the closer you get to Me. His grace and truth flood the believing heart with blessing and reality.
St. Augustine reflected poignantly in his autobiography Confessions: “Our hearts are made for Thee, O God; we are restless until we rest in Thee.” Wait in My Presence—and experience the strength I alone provide. Make Me your Center of Gravity—and discover the true meaning of life. Nestle near My heart—and relax in My dependable care.
I am your Happiness—so you are not sad in the world’s shadows.
My strong love inspires a song in your heart.
I am your Help—so you are not shaken by violent faith quakes.
My strong love energizes you to keep on going.
I am your Hope—so you are not sarcastic or down-in-the-mouth.
My strong love puts a spring in your step.
I am your Honor—so you are not a self-centered egomaniac.
My strong love overshadows your flawed reputation with glory.
I am your Home—so you are not stranded in an impersonal world.
My strong love makes us inseparable friends.
If I were great and not good, My awesome power would make Me a punishing tyrant, a heartless despot, and a demanding dictator. If I were good and not great, I would be merely an abstract ideal, of no practical value, and powerless to assist you. I am great and good—strong and loving, authoritative and compassionate, just and merciful, powerful and caring.
