"Though Troubles Assail Us"

I love BSF... 12-years ago I could NOT say those three words. In fact, I detested BSF. My excuse was that it reminded me too much of college... i.e. Bible college. Sitting through classes on specific books of the Bible like Acts, Isaiah, Romans, Revelation. Or series of books like the Epistles of Paul, Life of Christ (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Or classes on Christian theology, Christian worldview (ah, good old IDS... also lovingly called I-D-Test), homiletics, Greek, History of Restoration Movement, etc.

Don't get me wrong... I loved attending Bible college at Lincoln Christian University (f.k.a. Lincoln Christian College & Seminary). But, just 10 years after graduating from Bible college I had a very difficult time sitting in a weekly "Bible study" that resembled my Bible college classes.

Fast forward 13 years... I wouldn't want to be anywhere else on Monday nights except at BSF.

This year we're studying the book of John. Weekly I'm being challenged by the notes, questions, discussion time and teaching time... every week one or more points, questions, answers, SOMETHING is timely to ME.

But tonight... it was a hymn we sang immediately before the teaching time. Actually, "we" didn't sing the hymn... They sang, I listened.

I listened to a hymn??? Usually I laugh at the singing of 300 year old hymns at BSF... ALL verses... too slow... old english. BORING!!!

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright,

though friends should all fail us and foes all unite.

yet one thing secures us, what ever betide

the promise assure us, "The Lord will provide."

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed;

from them let us learn to trust God for our bread.

His saints what is fitting shall ne'er be denied

so long as 'tis written, "The Lord will provide."

When Satan assails us to stop up our path,

and courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.

He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried,

this heart-cheering promise, "The Lord will provide."

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;

yet, since we have known of the Savior's great name,

in this our strong tower for safety we hide;

the Lord is our power, "The Lord will provide."

John Newton, 1779

I have to be honest... It's not that I detested BSF 13 years ago. I detested being confronted with truths week after week.

Thank you BSF... Thank you John Newton.