"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end." - Psalm 107:27
When I first read that verse, I wondered if the King James Bible had used modern terminology in a recent translation. Turns out, that expression - at wits' end - has been around a long time. This idiom, so says "Dictionary.com", appeared as far back as around 1377 in a poem written by William Langland titled : "Piers Ploughman".
Dictionary.com gives the meaning of this idiom as : "completely puzzled and perplexed, not knowing what to do."
The Free Dictionary tells us: "at one's wits' end - In a state of distress because one has no more patience or mental stamina, often after having dealt with some kind of problem or difficult situation."
In today's chaotic and unstable world, many people feel at wits' end. Christians as a rule are more stable with the hope and promises which the good Lord gives them, but at times they might feel perplexed and see no way out of a situation. But they find comfort in taking it all to God in prayer and learning to wait patiently on Him and on His direction and guidance.
Following is an excellent 44 minute sermon by Dr. David Jeremiah which addresses this subject and uses Psalm 107 as the basis for his sermon. The title of his sermon is "When You Can't Take It Anymore" :
Dr. David Jeremiah discusses how the storms of life send us fleeing to the good Lord in prayer and faith for His help in adversity. He tells us that "the only way out is UP !"
It is not always our fault that we find ourselves deep in troubled waters in these storms of life. But sometimes it is. Following is a short discourse by Charles Spurgeon :
"But, oh! when souls are caught in a storm of conviction of sin, this is a true description of their spiritual distress, - they are at their wits' end, and do not know what to do. Everything about them is shaking, and they themselves are reeling to and fro, sometimes this way and sometimes that; staggering, scarcely able to believe anything, seeing some things double, and everything out of place."
[Internet Photo]
The photo above has been used previously on this blog. It rather fits the subject of this post this weekend!
"One thorn of experience is worth a whole wilderness of warning." - James Russell Lowell
"The armor-bearer of sin is self-confidence." - Charles Spurgeon
"Our troubles are but as the slivers and chips of His Cross" - J. Trapp
"Do not strive in your own strength; cast yourself at the feet of the Lord Jesus, and wait upon Him in the sure confidence that He is with you, and works in you. Strive in prayer; let faith fill your heart - so you will be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might." - Andrew Murray
[Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii]
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." - Colossians 3:1-2
"I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." - Psalm 16:8
"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness; and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God." - 1 Corinthians 4:5
If you have not been saved, have not believed that Jesus is the Savior and that His shed blood can wash your sins away when you repent and surrender to Him, then please, please take to heart the following Salvation Scriptures. Pray to God for forgiveness and in all sincerity begin with your whole heart and soul -- with all of your very being -- to follow in Jesus' footsteps as best you can and make doing His will your top priority ! If you are truly saved, you will want to obey Him.
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." - John 3:36
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." - 1 Peter 1:18-19
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Many Bible Prophecies have come true and there are also precursors occurring now that alerts us to those facts - that we are soon to see Jesus return for His true believers to take them to heaven before the 7 year Tribulation begins! (go to the "search box" at the top right side of this page and enter subjects such as "Rapture; end times; Great Tribulation; signs of last days", etc. and articles will pop up which you can read and ponder... many with videos.)
Jesus loves you!
Don't delay in surrendering to Him in belief that He is the Savior!
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend - and life !!
