"Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: "How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge, If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you- when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." - Proverb 1
I have to be honest, I don't look forward to Wednesday anymore. It is so hard for me to face these girls and give them a gospel warning week after week to watch them leave and continue to live a life that is full of destruction and death. I know the LORD is in control, I know that HE is the only one that can soften their hearts, I know that it is a good thing that they are still coming week after week, I know that in time, if the LORD wills I may see the fruit of my labor..but knowing all that does not help me with the nightmares of them going to hell, the tears of discouragement over the girl who is stubborn, and prideful in all her ways..... I know the TRUTH and I am not saying that the TRUTH should not bring me comfort ...but it's hard..it's like watching someone dye of a disease and offer them the cure and they turn it down..that just does not make sense to me...
I don't think i realized how tough it would be out here fighting for the Kingdom... But I do remember the words of our LORD and SAVIOR when he said " In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
With that, I guess I can be encouraged that satan will not have the last word and GOD has and will ultimately have the last say in all things!!
A sweet friend reminded me of these words this morning, I am praying that the LORD use them to encourage me as I remember them throughout the day:
'This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's". 2 Chro. 20:15
"To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place." Psalm 28