The Despairing May Always Be Despairing!
>> Thursday, March 4, 2010
"There is no guarantee when in despair everyone will emerge from
it. Some in the past have died in their despair. For whatever reason,
God’s purposes did not arrange for that particular individual to ever
live another day on this earth living in complete joy and happiness apart
from the depression or despair of their life."
"John Newton, author of the hymn “Amazing Grace” ministered to
a poet named William Cowper until the day Mr. Cowper died.
Cowper, author of many great hymns was a man of great spiritual and
physical despair most of his life. Some might say Cowper could not
have been a Believer, but history tells us he was. John Newton who
was a pastor from the mid 1700’s took to liking William Cowper. He
constantly tried to encourage Cowper, prayed for Cowper, and simply
was walking along side Cowper. Even when Newton moved further
away to another pastorate he would continue to write and visit Cowper
and encourage him."
"John Piper wrote that Newton “did not despair of the
despairing”. Cowper died on April 24th, 1800 with his final words in
response to some refreshments offered him, “What can it signify?”
He never uttered another word. He was to die in complete despair of
this life. Cowper did find some comfort in Newton’s visits as a true
friend and confidant. Newton showed Cowper grace, mercy, and
sympathy which he needed in order to possibly take the edge off his
dying despair."
"Folks, we can use John Newton as a great example to us in these
days of despair not only in our lives, but in the lives of so many people
around us. Our treatment for those in the greatest despair of life needs
to be found lined with sweet-grace, gentle-mercy, and deep-sympathy."
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