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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRUST (07/21/16)
Worth Every Mile and Every Stone

Plagued by sickness, disappointments and hardships, the wearied Traveler walks the Trail with

a heart handcuffed by the burdens he carries. He hopes to find at the end of his journey that place of

refuge where burdens are relinquished, doubt is subdued, and faith is rewarded.

He is not alone on the winding road that twists and turns without end. The path bears the

footprints of countless others who trudge the trail with him and before him. It matters not that he’s

surrounded by fellow travelers. The burden bears his name and none other.

And so he walks, head bent, heart bound.

His is no silent sojourn. Desperate cries that emanate from his shackled heart mingle with the

muffled sound of dragging feet.

Why me? Why must I carry this burden? Will this road ever end?

But neither is this an idle journey. The One whose body was broken for all who put their faith in
Him is at work, and the heart of the downtrodden wayfarer is His workshop. With the skill of a Master

Craftsman, He responds with words that fashion the heart to fit the journey:

What bruises you also teaches you.

Hard rocks that cause your feet to falter are stepping stones that lead you into a deeper
relationship with Me.

You can rejoice in not knowing what lies behind the next bend, because what’s unknown to you is known to Me. Whatever you need for the “then” is already in the “now.”
My love for you will refine your journey.
On this journey, there are no shortcuts, detours, or free passes. If you want to trust Me in
everything, then you can only fulfill that desire when you’ve experienced whatever I’ve chosen
from the “everything.”
Doubt is a relentless competitor for the heart and mind. It seeks to stop you in your tracks and
impede your progress by piling on your burden. For the joys that are yet to come, have faith in Me and resist the imposter.

The Traveler, whose heart cry was like the roar of many stormy seas, hears the calm, small voice

of his Creator God. His heart stills, and his pace quickens. Stones continue to bruise his feet, and

the road still curves, obscuring his view of what’s ahead. But a firm resolve rises from the

depths of his soul.
I will not doubt, I will not doubt, I will not doubt. I WILL NOT DOUBT.
The long and winding path brings him to a rest stop, and not too soon. Once again his

God speaks to him. Welcome, weary pilgrim. When you leave this place of temporary relief,

don’t forget my promise… “I will give you rest.”* I know the trail is long, and the end is not in

sight. But all of my promises offer hope for the rest of the way. You can depend on them, no

matter how rocky and rough the path.


Without hesitation, Traveler takes to the trail once more, but this time with an added refrain.

I will not doubt, I will not doubt, I will not doubt. I WILL NOT DOUBT.
I will have hope, I will have hope, I will have hope. I WILL HAVE HOPE.

With bruised and bloodied feet he perseveres on, step by step, mile after mile. His

burden gets heavier, but he resists doubt and embraces hope. Many sojourners fall by the

roadside, believing that the journey is too hard and forgetting all that Creator God had told

them. But Traveler remembers, and adds a new refrain to his heart song that gives renewed

strength for the rest of the way:

I will not doubt, I will not doubt, I will not doubt, I WILL NOT DOUBT.
I will have hope, I will have hope, I will have hope, I WILL HAVE HOPE
I will trust God’s promises, I will trust God’s promises, I will trust God’s promises, I WILL TRUST GOD’S PROMISES.

With hope and trust guiding the rest of his journey, Traveler finally reaches the end of

Trials’ Trail. He lays down his burden and receives his reward.

I’m earning frequent traveler miles on Trials’ Trail because I’ve not reach the end of the road.

But my trust in God and His promises has deepened with every rough mile and every painful step.


Through it all, I can boldly say, “I’ve “learn to trust in God.” I look forward to cashing in my miles for

the promised reward.
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This article has been read 698 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Laury Hubrich 
07/30/16
I can relate to this, for sure. I think you might want to preview your entry before submitting it. I always have to fix mine - the spacing between lines. Pulling them up or pushing them down.
Terry Lee
08/02/16
This was so deeply moving. I felt like you were speaking directly to me. Were you? I mean, it's as if I was reading out of one of my daily devotionals . . .

How beautifully you presented these words!

Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/05/16
Wow this is beautiful. I could so relate and so I say I will not doubt; I will have hope. Outstanding picture painted by a true artist.