December 29Trials and Pain: Underneath Are the Everlasting ArmsThe eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlastingarms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say,"Destroy!"--Deuteronomy 33:27Surely Bible-reading Christians should be the last persons on earthto give way to hysteria. They are redeemed from their past offenses,kept in their present circumstances by the power of an all-powerfulGod, and their future is safe in His hands. God has promised tosupport them in the flood, protect them in the fire, feed them infamine, shield them against their enemies, hide them in His safechambers until the indignation is past and receive them at lastinto eternal tabernacles.If we are called upon to suffer, we may be perfectly sure that weshall be rewarded for every pain and blessed for every tear.Underneath will be the Everlasting Arms and within will be the deepassurance that all is well with our souls. Nothing can separate usfrom the love of God-not death, nor life, nor height, nor depth,nor any other creature.This is a big old world, and it is full of the habitations ofdarkness, but nowhere in its vast expanse is there one thing ofwhich a real Christian need be afraid. Surely a fear-riddenChristian has never examined his or her defenses.This World: Playground or Battleground? pp. 7-8"Lord, I'll go today in the power of these awesome promises. I'llrest in these strong assurances. I'll face this 'big old world'and its 'habitations of darkness' in complete peace as I trustYou completely today. Amen."