Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Dear Friends,
Gratefully remembering my beautiful Aunt Joy today. She was my mom’s next oldest sister and childhood best friend and protector. She lived a wonderful life of faith, hope, and love through Jesus. She suffered much harm, loss, and heartbreak over the years. But none of it shattered her. She only grew with a bigger heart of faith, hope, and love. She knew she wasn’t perfect, but a Blood-covered sinner. She was always so grateful for amazing grace—Jesus’ precious blood making her forgiveness possible; Jesus’ powerful arms protecting her; Jesus’ whispering voice guiding and comforting her when she cried out in prayer.
She came to see and believe the whole Bible was true. She spoke His truth with blunt love to those inside and outside her family, whether they liked it or not: Sin, in all kinds of immorality, is a real threat. Satan is a real threat. Hell is a real threat. Only Jesus brings real forgiveness, real protection, real wisdom, real peace, real joy.
Her name became her destiny—Joy. Nothing she faced ever shattered her in terror. Why? Because Jesus held her together. He helped her be a strong and courageous widow watching over her family through various trials.
One of her favorite hymns, “God Will Take Care of You,” was learned as a child alongside my mom, three other aunts, uncle, and my Grandma in the little white fundamental Congregational Church in Dunlap, Iowa. She learned it as a child, but Jesus proved it time and again her whole life. In a very real sense, the song became Aunt Joy’s life testimony.
In the summer of 1979, I was a new 22 year-old preacher in my first parish. Aunt Joy came to visit with her teen age son Ward and grade school daughter Jane. She asked me if I would join with my cousins and sing this song as special music for my church service. I said yes. So did they. We formed a wobbly trio and sang it before the congregation. She beamed. I remember it well. Jesus radiated.
Here are the three verses of the song we sang, with refrain, by Civilla D. Martin (1904)
Vs 1 Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
Refrain: God will take care of you, through ev’ry day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you.
Vs 2 Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.
Vs 3 No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon his breast, God will take care of you.
I had a powerful time this week with the Lord, meditating, journaling, and conversing with Him in Joshua 1:9. I’ve been praying it for myself, my family, the friends of Come Rest, and the whole body of Christ. It’s a famous verse and has always blessed me.
But it’s easy to gloss over His opening question and the word “dismayed.” This week He emphasized both. First, when the Lord asks us a question, it’s not because He needs to know the answer. It’s because we do! Have I not commanded you? Has He not protected, strengthened, and directed you through trials in the past? So ask Him and trust Him to do so now. Let Him help you be strong and courageous. Don’t freak out in fear, instead speak out in faith, step out in boldness.
I looked into the meaning of the Bible word “dismayed.” I’ve long understood it involves discouragement and despair. However, it literally means to be “shattered in terror” of what’s coming. There’s a lot of anticipatory dread going around right now. When we experience harm, loss, or threat, we can become weary and worried. But if we don’t quickly turn and come rest in the Lord in repentance, trust, prayer, praise, thanksgiving, Word, fellowship—our weariness and worry can explode into shattering terror of what may never actually come. We give the devil opportunity to mess with us, when the Lord our God is no one to mess with! We can become dismayed. But that never need happen. If it does happen, the Lord’s arm is not too short. He can mend what’s shattered. He can gather what’s scattered. But things don’t have to go that far. Thanking God for how He has taken care of you in past threats is the first step to let Him take care of you in present fear. Ask Him to help you get in the habit of walking under His wings and leaning on His breast—so that come what may, you will never be dismayed.
Your Commander is in you, with you, behind you, ahead of you. Be not dismayed, whate’er betide. The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not a wobbly trio. God will take care of you, if you let Him. Then Joy will be your destiny, too.
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Enjoy “God Will Take Care of You” with the Oak Ridge Boys! https://youtu.be/-ORXnfjQAXA?feature=shared
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Our next Awakening of Love worship and intercession gathering will be TOMORROW Friday, April 5th, 630-830, Christian Life Church! 2808 Schaeffer Dr SW. Miriam Bandfield and the Blomberg Team will minister musically alongside the Speights and Come Rest intercessors. Come Holy Spirit!
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Our April Day Retreat at wooded Rehoboth will be Wednesday April 17! 845-4PM. Dick’s teaching, Kim’s tasty lunch, quiet times, new & old friends! Must apply soon, no later than Sunday April 14th, at jkadlec@imonmail.com soon!
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Our Sunday groups resume here at Rehoboth the 7th. 830AM & 630PM!
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As we anticipate a fruitful new season of life and ministry, Kim and I have decided to upgrade cars. Our old car has been such a blessing for nine years, since the Lord led us to purchase it through our son Daniel who continues a successful career at Key Auto Mall in Moline. Now we’ve been led again to the right car through Daniel, who found us a great deal on an all-wheel drive vehicle. So we are privately selling our 2015 Chrysler 200C for $9,500. It is just under 96K miles, front wheel drive. If you know anyone who needs a car in that price range, they can contact us at dickspeight@comerestministries.com. Our old car is affectionately named “Rocket Car” by our grandkids, because they and Grandpa have taken many “missions” to the moon for exploration and battles with moon monsters. 😊 Now it’s time for “Rocket Car 2”. Whether or not someone you know is interested in “Rocket Car One”, always remember Daniel Speight is available to you for new car sales/leasing and used car sales. Just a little pitch for our son, a faithful man of God.😊
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We SO appreciate your seeds by mail, the new website, Venmo @ComeRest or QR Code; or PayPal @ dickspeight@comerestministries.com. “Now may He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 2 Cor 9:10-11
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https://www.comerestministries.com/ Send our new website link to friends to introduce Come Rest. Make prayer requests, praise reports, check updates, donate. Buy books, we’ll ship free. It’s your tool for helping people rest in His love!
Love and blessings, Dick and Kim Speight
Richard F. Speight, Jr.
Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Come Rest Ministries
P.O. Box 11010
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52410-1010