[This reflection by Michael Goble was published in the weekly news bulletin of Horley Baptist Church, 08/Feb/2026]
Over the past couple of years I had been feeling discouraged from time to time, and wondering how the world and I fitted into God’s will. The world around us was and is changing for the worse and the church seemed powerless to make any difference. I also thought about me and what I had tried to do to serve Jesus, my Lord and Saviour, over the years. Even there I felt that I had done nothing of consequence to bring glory to His Name. That was why I was feeling low.
Even so, most mornings I was able to click on to the Holy Bible – You Version app. It opens with a picture background to a verse for the day. One day I was surprised to see a picture of someone with his back to the camera sitting on a bollard on a quayside looking at an expanse of water. The amazing thing was he looked just like me with short white hair from the back and the sort of clothes I wear. On the water in front of him was the Mersey Ferry which I travelled on several years ago.
But it was the Bible verse which hit me,
But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded”
2 Chronicles 15 v7 [NIV]
What an encouragement that was to me from the Lord.
Recently Phil gave a message on a Sunday morning and told a story of Paderewski, a renowned Polish pianist. A young boy was learning to play the piano and to encourage him his mother took him to a concert by Paderewski. As he looked at the grand piano on the stage the boy longed to play it, slipped up onto the stage and started playing a simple tune. People in the audience didn’t like that but Paderewski came up behind him and whispered, “Don’t stop. Keep playing”. He then put his hands either side as the boy played, and added a most beautiful accompaniment which delighted the audience.
That story was also a powerful encouragement to me. Whatever albeit weak service I feel I have done for God, He has put His arms around me and accompanied me so that I did His planned will. When Paul felt low about his ongoing illness Jesus said to him,
My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness
2 Corinthians 12 v9 [NLT]
Today I looked up the verse at the beginning of today’s Holy Bible-You Version app. It was the one following the above verse in the Amplified Version, expressing how I feel when I am low but also giving the answer.
So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
2 Corinthians 12 v10 [AMP]
If you are feeling weak and low for whatever reason, keep reading this verse and let His arms surround you and accompany you as you serve and live for Him. Don’t stop. Keep playing.
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Last Sunday’s reflection: Stopping On Purpose by Martin Shorey
Contributed by Michael Goble; © Michael Goble