OUR DAILY BREAD             Sunday, July 23, 1995     
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READ:  Ecclesiastes 8:1-9 
 
                 
                   STAY AT YOUR POST       
 
        "If the spirit of the ruler rises against 
            you, do not leave your post; for  
         conciliation pacifies great offenses." 
 
                        -- Ecclesiastes 10:4 
 
Eric was stunned by the certified letter he received. 
He had been fired!  His record with the company was 
good, and the reasons given for his dismissal were 
without substance. 
 
As he related his story to me, Eric explained, "I 
said to myself, 'Don't panic.  Think this through. 
How would God have me respond?'" 
 
After praying and consulting a Christian lawyer, 
Eric felt that God was leading him to apply the 
truth of today's text to his situation.  So he 
stayed at his post and continued to see clients 
and place orders.  To meet his financial needs, he 
drew on his personal reserves.  Company officials 
were unprepared to deal with someone who kept at  
his job after being dropped from the payroll.   
Eight months later, the president offered Eric a  
new contract with the best terms ever. 
 
Not everyone can or should do what Eric did.  But 
we can learn from his example.  We don't need to 
be "afraid of sudden terror" (Prov. 3:25).  We 
don't need to panic. 
 
When a trial turns our life upside down, we can 
"stay at our post" by seeking God's wisdom through 
prayer, Scripture, and mature Christian counsel. 
We can resist despair, remain confident that God 
is at work, and continue doing what is right and 
good.  God will do the rest. 
 
                        -- Dennis J. De Haan 
 
        When through life's darkened maze I go 
           And troubles overwhelm my soul, 
        Oh, grant me, Lord, Your grace to know 
           That You are surely in control. 
 
                        -- DJD 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY 
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       A crisis cannot break the one 
        who relies on God's strength.    
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Ecclesiastes 7-9

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