“There been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long,
But now I think I’m able, I’m able, to carry on.
It’s been a long time comin’, but change is gonna come.
I know that a change is gonna come one day.” – “Sam Cooke, “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1963)
“You and I, dear reader, have already ‘come to ourselves.’ Having become conscious of an oppressive bondage, we have arisen and set out on the journey . . . to the land of liberty, and now we cannot turn back if we would. Though possibly there will come times to each of us, before we reach the land of milk and honey (the time of full deliverance out of all our sorrows and troubles), when we shall come into a deep wilderness or against an impassable Red Sea, when our principle will seem to fail, yet does God say to each one of us . . . : ‘Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show to you’” — H. Emilie Cady in “Bondage Or Liberty, Which?” in Lessons in Truth (1894-5).
One thing is for sure: no matter how impossible the situation may look or how long it has been an issue, the error cannot stand indefinitely. When the time is right, positive change is going to come.
Responsive Reading for Sunday, November 17
“The LORD, your God, will change your lot . . . . He will again gather you from all the nations . . . . even from there will the LORD, your God, gather you; even from there will he bring you back” (Deut. 30:3-4).
Even if I feel lost, God always knows where I am. “There’ve been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long, but now I think I’m able to carry on.”
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray . . . I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the LORD, and I will change your lot. I will gather you from all the nations and all the places . . . says the LORD, and bring you back” (Jer. 29:11-14).
When I am ready to let God show me the way, God always brings me back. “It’s been a long time coming, but change is gonna come one day.”
”Those who sow in tears will reap with cries of joy. Those who go forth weeping, carrying sacks of seed, will return with cries of joy, carrying their bundled sheaves” (Ps.126:5-6).
It is time for me to know that nothing can keep my good from me. “There’ve been times when I thought I can’t go on, but now I think I’m able to carry on.”
“Change the night into day; where there is darkness . . . talk of approaching light” (Job 17:12).
The time is now and the place is here for good changes to happen! “It’s been a long time coming, but I know that change is gonna come.