Edwin Markham wrote a great deal about American history and figures which affected life in this country. In his poem, “Anchored to The Infinite,” he tells of the “bridging” of Niagara’s gorge and I’ll just let you in on the fact – this process didn’t happen overnight. Well, I’m going to let the poem do the teaching: Anchored To The Infinite “The builder who first bridged Niagara’s gorge, Before he swung his cable, shore to shore, Sent out across the gulf his venturing kite Bearing a slender cord for unseen hands To grasp upon the further cliff and draw A greater cord and then a greater yet; Till at last across the chasm swung The cable – then the mighty bridge in air! So we may send our little timid thought Across the void, out to God’s reaching hands – Send out our love and faith to thread the deep – Thought after thought until the little cord Has greatened to a chain no chance can break, And we are anchored to the Infinite!” Edwin Markham, (1852-1940) As I read the last six lines of this poem, my mind went back to an experience I had over 36 years ago when all I was able to do was say to my heavenly Father “I need help.” Looking back, my need was so small in comparison with the challenges I have faced in the years since that time. But it was the answer to a small request which built a stronger cord, year-by-year, that helped me endure those times when greater faith was needed to help me hold fast to my Father’s hand and in turn, give my entire burden to my Father’s care or as Markham so eloquently penned, “until the little cord has greatened to a chain no chance can break, and we are anchored to the Infinite!” In the gospel song, “My Anchor Holds,” by William Martin, he writes: “I can feel the anchor fast as I meet each sudden blast, and the cable, though unseen, bears the heavy strain between; through the storm I safely ride, till the turning of the tide.” Reading the first few verses of II Kings 4, I was struck by the words of this widowed mother, “thou knowest thy servant did fear the Lord.” This wasn’t just a reminder to Elisha that her husband was a God-fearing man, oh no! This was a statement of fact that what may have been at one time only a cord of faith in this home was now a strong cable of faith, and it was thicker than ever in the life of this mother who came with her need, “Please help me,” and she received a heavenly response, ”What will you have Me to do for you?” The book of Hebrews so fantastically emboldens us: “Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need, appropriate, well-timed help, coming just when we need it” (Hebrews 4: 16, Amplified Bible). Today I encourage you to start building the cord into an unbreakable chain by asking for your Father’s help. Link yourself to the Infinite for you do not have to “carry your weight of your burden – when one of the two is Me.” (A reminder from your gracious heavenly Father!) “I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down, and when I rise up; and the answers are always coming.” George Muller
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 05:35:07 +0000
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