One of my favorite small books purchased over the years is The Words Lincoln Lived By: 52 Timeless Principles to Light Your Path, by Gene Griessman.
This compilation of quotes from Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, is filled with wisdom waiting to be put into practice. Besides the obvious inspiration found in these 52 devotionals, I found a greater understanding for the man and what I believe made him tick.
Whether “Honest Abe” was a Christian or a Deist, there’s no doubt in my mind that he was a Man of God, and his greatest source of discipline and understanding came from the Bible. He often quoted God’s Word and followed it as best he could under the difficult circumstances he faced throughout his life.
The question we need to ask is simply this, “How am I doing in following God’s Word?”
Lincoln also was a Man of Prayer, and I’m certain the trials he faced as president during the Civil War brought him to his knees frequently. In fact, I imagine there probably wasn’t day that passed during the terrible conflict between the North and South that he wasn’t on his knees praying to God for divine intervention to limit the immense bloodshed caused by differing ideologies on the issue of slavery and commerce.
His desire was to keep the nation united at any cost, and the cost was truly great! There were approximately 620,000 U.S. deaths caused by the Civil War alone as compared to another 644,000 conflict-related U.S. deaths since then.
The price was great, but Lincoln apparently understood it was a price that had to be paid. Certainly, our trials seem inconsequential when compared to Lincoln’s trials, but we can learn much from the way he handled the adversities of life. So, let’s consider one more question, “How is my prayer life?”
There’s another man who I personally strive to be more like — the Son of Man. He’s my real example and, like Lincoln, He, toom faced much adversity.
Jesus always spent ample time with the Father. He knew where to go to recharge His batteries as He was continually being spent for others.
Much of my time these days seems to be spent for others, and I cherish the time alone with my Heavenly Father. There are times when I just need to get away to the solace of a quiet place and reflect on the remainder of the race that lies ahead.
Paul proclaimed in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” That’s my goal, my reward, and I trust it’s yours as well.
We were placed on this planet for a distinct purpose and it was not for our selfish motives. We are here to serve God and others!
In Luke 10:27, we are reminded to, “Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
In John 16:33, Jesus shares with us that, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart for I have overcome the world.”
And we are not in this world alone. He’s given all believers the Holy Spirit to guide us through the troubles that will certainly come our way.
Can you count on the Holy Spirit? Can you see the Holy Spirit at work in your life? Do you trust in the Lord as Lincoln obviously did to take you through the difficulties (the valleys) of life? These are questions that each of us must answer as we face adversity again and again.
I made a decision to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 4:5-6) and not lean on my own feeble understanding 32 years ago, and it was the best decision I ever made. Join me in doing it for the first time or renewing your faith in the One Who created all things and loves us more than we can possibly comprehend!
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.