The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Psalm 31:7-8, “I will rejoice and be glad in Thy lovingkindness,

Because Thou hast seen my affliction;

Thou hast known the troubles of my soul,

8 And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of the enemy;

Thou hast set my feet in a large place.”

Some people have the idea that becoming a Christian means the end of all trials and tribulations.

Those of us who have become Christians know how wrong ideas like that are. The psalmist David

spent long nights in the fields with his sheep. He had many hours available for prayer, praise, and

fellowship with the LORD. He also had encounters with animals that were, for nefarious reasons,

seeking his sheep. Yes, he had his share of afflictions, but the love of the LORD was always near.

Missionaries who have dedicated the entirety of their lives are often far from everything but trouble.

Pastors, evangelists, Christians in every walk of life know what it is to have troubles that affect the

Soul. I could write a book on troubles I’ve encountered, and with so-called “Christian” people in

the church. When those you love and have received your ministry both from the pulpit and at the

hospital bed, now turn angerly against you – those things trouble you soul.

David reckons, as I have sometimes reckoned, that we could easily have been given over to our

enemies. David’s enemies could be men, who were looking to steal his sheep, or wild animals that

were looking for his sheep for food. Either way, he had enemies; yet, the LORD knows the troubles

of His children’s souls.

When our souls are troubled, we often fall into fear. We become anxious and frustrated because

we have no ready answer to squelch that fear; much less, do we know where to go. David turned

to the LORD in prayer. He looked UP and away from the circumstances that plagued him. When

the LORD answered his prayer, he rejoiced in singing the LORD’s praises! And, in turn, the LORD

altered the place of David’s service. That’s what it means to have Him “set (your) feet in a large place.”

You may not always be serving Him in the place where you are now. He sees your labor of love, and

may promote you to a wider place of service. Don’t be afraid! You belong to Him! And He will always

be with you and lead you in right paths. Let’s just praise Him for Who He is!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”