Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear. (Mark Twain)

Jesus stopped at a well and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink (John 4:7). At first she was taken back, saying (Message Bible), How come you, a Jew, are asking me for a drink? The Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to a Samaritan. Jesus responded, If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water. She responded, Sir, give me this water. Jesus said (John 4:16), Go call your husband and then come back. I have no husband, she said. That's nicely put, he said, You've had five husbands, and the man you're living with now isn't even your husband.

Even before creation God committed Himself to die for us. Jesus indeed was foreordained to die before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you (1 Peter 1:20). God knew all about the Samaritan' woman's horrible past but He did not allow it to stand in the way of His blessing for her future. When we come to God as we are, He comes to us as He is. That day the Samaritan woman found hope in Jesus. She went back to her village excitedly proclaiming, Come, see a man who knew all about the things I did, who knows me inside and out. Do you think this could be the Messiah? Many came and many believed. Your past is insignificant to your future when Jesus is present in your life. John 4:41 says; And many more believed because of his own word.

While learning to walk with God, we often fail Him and prayer is sometimes difficult, especially when we reflect on our failures. Just like Jesus forgave the Samaritan woman in spite of her jaded past, so Jesus provided a new beginning for you and me through His grace. He will help you. Alexander Peden said, Grace is the glory of the young. Paul offers some good advice (Philippians 3:13-14), " Forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead. I press towards the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Even at our lowest moments we can find courage and hope to continue because the bible says, God is all mercy and grace-not quick to anger, is rich in love. Psalm 145:8 (The Message)

Music called "Wells Of Love" by Mary Duclos
©. Used with permission

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