Sixteen Tons, written by Merle Travis and recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford, became one of Americas most popular songs in the mid-1950s. People seemed to identify with this coal miners lament about feeling trapped and unable to change his situation no matter how hard he worked. Coal miners often lived in company-owned houses and were paid in scripcoupons valid only at the company-owned store. Even if summoned to heaven, the miner said, he couldnt go because he owed his soul to the company store.
That sense of hopeless resignation may help us understand the feelings of the Hebrew people during their 400 years of bondage in Egypt. When Moses told them of Gods promise to release them from slavery, they didnt listen to him because of anguish of spirit (Ex. 6:9). They were so far down they couldnt look up.
But God did something for them that they could not do for themselves. The Lords miraculous deliverance of His people foreshadowed His powerful intervention on our behalf through His Son Jesus Christ. It was when we were powerless to help ourselves that Christ died for sinful men (Rom. 5:6 PHILLIPS).
When life is at its lowest ebb, we are not without hope because of the wonderful grace of God.
Author Unknown
Pray don't find fault with the man who limps or stumbles along the road, unless you have worn the shoes he wears or struggled beneath his load. There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt, though hidden away from view, or the burden he bears, placed on your back might cause you to stumble too.
Don't sneer at the man who's down today unless you have felt the blow that caused his fall or felt the shame that only the fallen know.
You may be strong, but still the blows that were his if dealt to you, in the selfsame way, at the selfsame time, might cause you to stagger too.
Don't be too harsh with the man who sins or pelt him with word or stone, unless you are sure, yea, doubly sure, that you have no sins of your own - for you know perhaps if the tempter's voice should whisper as softly to you as it did to him when he went astray, it might cause you to stumble too.
Psalm 24 (King James Version)
Psalm 24
1.The earth is the LORD’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
2.For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.
3.Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
4.He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
5.He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6.This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah.
7.Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
8.Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.
9.Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
10.Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah
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