Corona Devo 1517

My husband and I watched a movie the other day about the life of John Newton.  

Heard of him? 

No, he wasn't the guy credited with discovering gravity because an apple fell on his head...that was Sir Isaac Newton.

John Newton (born July 24, 1725, London England—died December 21, 1807) wrote the song, "Amazing Grace".  

Now have we heard of him?

We might figure that the man that wrote that famous hymn must have been raised in the church and grew-up steeped in Scripture.  But we would be figuring wrong.   

John Newton had a fascinatingly hard life, but he always persevered.  He had so many difficult twists and turns that it was almost hard to believe them all.  

His mom died when he was six.  He persevered.  

He had a temper.  He got kicked out of schools, and his dad (a sailor) took him to sea with him.  He persevered.  

He became distanced and bitter with God.  He still had a temper.  He got sold to another boat captain.  He got sold again and became a slave to a woman of color on a slave-trading island.  He was severely mistreated and dehumanized...and in his humility he (slowly) reconnected with God.  He persevered.  

He taught himself geometry on the sands of the beach where he was stranded and the man who owned the island noticed, and needed a bookkeeper.  He persevered. 

He got a well-paying, highly-respected position and while doing that, his dad sent for his rescue and brought him back home.  He persevered.  

He found his love, whom he had met before most of his mis-adventures began, and he married her.  He began to read the Bible and devour other literature explaining it.  He persevered.  

He was turned down many times in applying to be a pastor, but he persevered, and was ordained as one.

If we know nothing else about John Newton, know this: he persevered.

But, why does his story matter to us?  

Because someone needs to be reminded to persevere today.  

        Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.  ~I Chronicles 16:11

None of us have had a storm-free life, or have escaped hardship and trauma.  But even still...persevere today.

    “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  ~Job 42:2

Maybe life for us today is fascinatingly hard.  So many difficult twists and turns that it's almost hard to believe.  

Persevere anyway.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.  (26) Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.  ~Proverbs 4:25-26

It's possible our heartbreaks and broken dreams have caused us bitterness with God, but He pursues us still, and He always will.  

Turn back to Him today.

• Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"  ~Psalm 27:14

• Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."  ~Romans 12:12

God has good things planned for us, even in the midst, and in-spite-of, and because of our (seeming) mis-adventures today.  Keep persevering.  

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."  ~Philippians 1:6

We might get ship-wrecked, sold-out by others, beaten down and beaten up.  But don't give up.  God is with us today.  He's always here.  

Persevere. 

If people were to know nothing else about us, pray that they would know that we persevere.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  ~Isaiah 46:4

~~~

It's a new day.  

We are filled anew with God's strength.  

We can hope and persevere in His Name and in faith, just as John Newton did and every other believer in Christ has.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' ~Lamentations 3:22-24

Persevere today.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com