At Wit's End-Jesus Is There

By Harold Moore

Have you ever faced a challenge that was so overwhelming you felt like you were at your wits end? Most of us have! I've been there and have found that when I'm at my wits end the place for me to turn is to Jesus. May I suggest the next time you're at your wits end you look to Jesus. He's there for you!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Nov 17, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664207530

Harold Moore

Harold Moore has been married to his wife, Jo, for 51 years and they have 3 grown children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Harold and Jo currently live in Phoenix, AZ Harold has a PhD in Christian Counseling, a Master of Social Work, Master of Divinity, Master of Education Degree. Additionally, a certificate of advanced graduate study in marriage and family counseling. Harold is a retired Army and Correctional Chaplain. He has also served as a pastor and church planter. While in the Army Harold led numerous marriage enrichment retreats. As a correctional chaplain Harold worked with male and female inmates and as part of his ministry led several small groups.

Book preview

At Wit’s End-Jesus

is There

Harold Moore

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Copyright © 2020 Harold Moore.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0754-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0755-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-0753-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020919082

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/12/2020

CONTENTS

Dedication

Day 1 My Shepherd

Day 2 Never Alone

Day 3 No Fear

Day 4 Trust In The Lord

Day 5 God Is With You

Day 6 Today

Day 7 Peace

Day 8 Facing Adversity

Day 9 Staying The Course

Day 10 Pressing On

Day 11 A Day’s Portion

Day 12 Say No To Anxiety

Day 13 Peace With God

Day 14 Choose Life

Day 15 Peace Of God

Day 16 Sufficient Grace

Day 17 Reconciliation

Day 18 Heaven

Day 19 Be Still

Day 20 Be Careful What You Say

Day 21 Sin, Separation And Salvation

Day 22 Through The Valley

Day 23 Broken Fences And Burned Gates

Day 24 Time Is Of The Essence

Day 25 You’re Not Alone

Day 26 Being Thankful

Day 27 At Wit’s End

Day 28 Keep On Praying

Day 29 What Are Your Eyes Fixed On

Day 30 Seize The Moment

Day 31 Forgiveness

Day 32 Life Is Short

Day 33 Strong And Courageous

Day 34 Praising God When The Water Is Rising

Day 35 When Things Change

Day 36 What’s Your Anchor

Day 37 Hope

Day 38 Troubles Will Come

Day 39 No Condemnation

Day 40 Is There Life After Death?

Day 41 I Will Hope In God

Day 42 Eternity In Your Heart

Day 43 Perfect Peace

Day 44 Is The End Near

Day 45 Heaven Can’t Be Earned

Day 46 The Human Spiritual Condition

Day 47 Attitude Check

Day 48 God So Loved You

Day 49 A Lump Of Clay

Day 50 Commitment

Day 51 Wholehearted Commitment

Day 52 Who’s Side Are You On?

Day 53 God’s Word

Day 54 God Knows

Day 55 What’s Your Strength

Day 56 Facing Trials

Day 57 Bricks Can Get Your Attention

Day 58 What Will Be Your Legacy?

Day 59 God Is For Us!

Day 60 Wisdom

Day 61 Forget The What Ifs

Day 62 A New Creation

Day 63 Priorities

Day 64 The Fact Is

Day 65 Are You A Saint?

Day 66 Anger In The Valley

Day 67 Iron Sharpens Iron

Day 68 The Wonderful Word Of God

Day 69 God’s Love

Day 70 Adversity Is An Opportunity

Day 71 Sufffering

Day 72 Marital Challenges

Day 73 A Fresh Vision

Day 74 God Has No Favorites

Day 75 The Importance Of The Resurrection

Day 76 The Word Of God

Day 77 God Is For You

Day 78 Joy In The Journey

Day 79 Your Prayer Room

Day 80 Praying For Your Family

Day 81 Which Way Will You Go?

Day 82 But God

Day 83 Abounding In Hope

Day 84 Strong And Courageous

Day 85 His Eye Is On You

Day 86 Immitate God’s Example

Day 87 Who Is Jesus To You?

Day 88 What Are You Learning

Day 89 You Are Valued

Day 90 Awed By God

Day 91 Striving For Perfection

Day 92 Finishing Strong

Day 93 Steadfast And Immovable

Day 94 Addicted To Jesus

Day 95 I’ll Come

Day 96 Get A Grip

Day 97 Meditate On God’s Word

Day 98 Have Your Own Way Lord

Day 99 Enjoy The Small Things

Day 100 Time For A U-Turn

Day 101 The Candy Cane

Day 102 Death Is Not Your Enemy

Day 103 Paid In Full

Day 104 Finding Our Way

Day 105 Depression

Day 106 God’s Promises

Day 107 Tough Times

Day 108 The Christian Hope

Day 109 Count Your Blessings

Day 110 The Key

Day 111 What’s Your Goal

Day 112 Restoration

Day 113 Keys To Effective Praying

Day 114 The Indescribable Gift

Day 115 Praise In The Valley

Day 116 A Final Challenge

Day 117 Depending On Jesus

Day 118 Wait On The Lord

Day 119 Trust In The Lord

Day 120 Your Enemy

Day 121 A Man Or Woman Of God

Day 122 God’s Plan

Day 123 Don’t Be Left Out

Day 124 Hopeless Or Hopeful

Day 125 The Adventure Of A Lifetime

Day 126 An Attitude Of Gratitude

Day 127 A Loving Dad

Day 128 Obedience Required

Day 129 Thank God For Answered Prayer

Day 130 Cleaning Up

Day 131 Living With Purpose

Day 132 The Blessing Of Forgiven Sin

Day 133 God Is With You

Day 134 Be Careful What You Say

Day 135 Staying The Course

Day 136 God Can Use Cracked Pots

Day 137 When Storms Come

Day 138 God’s Greatest Desire

Day 139 Defeating Discouragement

Day 140 Perfect Peace

Day 141 Waiting Is Hard

Day 142 Not Of This World

Day 143 Jesus Is Alive

Day 144 Don’t Blend In

Day 145 Grasshopper Theology

Day 146 A Father’s Example

Day 147 A Mother’s Example

Day 148 In Training

Day 149 Set Free

Day 150 Coming Boldly Before God

Day 151 Take Time To Praise The Lord

Day 152 The Christian Hope

Day 153 Restoration

Day 154 Not A Period, Just A Comma

Day 155 What’s The Purpose Of Suffering

Day 156 Forever

Day 157 Grace Alone!

Day 158 Trusting The Lord In The Challenges

Day 159 God Carries You

Day 160 Spiritual Malnutrition

Day 161 God Is Good

Day 162 What About My Circumstances

Day 163 Worried About Tomorrow

Day 164 Great Expectations

Day 165 Don’t Slip Back

Day 166 How Great Our God Is

Day 167 Never Give Up

Day 168 To All

Day 169 Keep Doing Good!

Day 170 In The Storm

Day 171 Standing Firm In Your Faith

Day 172 Sometimes Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Day 173 Missing The Lord’s Presence

Day 174 What Will Heaven Be Like?

Day 175 The Best Is Yet To Come

Day 176 The Incomparable Christ

Day 177 The Bible-God’s Word

Day 178 Gods Knows And Cares Deeply

Day 179 What Is Truth

Jesus told the disciples and us that we will face challenges in this world. In John 16:31-33 Jesus tells His followers they will face difficult challenges, Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? 32 Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. The difficulties Jesus mentions can be daunting and at times overwhelming. It is Jesus’ intention that we as His followers be unshakable, assured and deeply at peace when facing difficulties and challenges. At times the difficulties and challenges take us to our wits end! When life is too much and we are at our wits end Jesus will be there. In Hebrews 13:5, the writer tells us, Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU. Jesus says in Matthew 28:20b, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us and because of that promise we can be more than conquerors. The Apostle Paul faced his share of difficulties and challenges and wrote, But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

The purpose of this book is to help you realize that whatever challenge you may be facing-YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Even when you’re at wits end, Jesus is there with you and will not abandon or forsake you. He loves you, has a plan for your life and will see you through what-ever you face. In Hebrews 12, part of verse 1 and all of verse 2 we are told the key, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, As we keep running the race and keep our eyes on Jesus the difficulties and challenges of life won’t be too much. I encourage and challenge you to do this and relax in His love, joy and peace.

DEDICATION

First and foremost, I want to dedicate this to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He’s been my Savior, Shepherd and closest friend since November 1964. He changed my life forever. He has given me abundant-eternal life. He has guided me through every challenge! He been with me at my wits end! Thank you, Jesus!

Secondly, this book is dedicated to all those who allowed me to be part of their lives as they have faced the difficulties/ challenges of life they felt were too much for them to handle alone. Those times we shared are precious and sacred. Thank you for sharing your lives and journey with me.

Third, Joe J is a brother in Christ and close personal friend who has encouraged me to get this book done! Jo-Jo, my wife, and I became friends with Joe and Gretchen (his German Shepherd service dog) one day when we saw them on a bus bench with a sign that said, Vet Needs Assistance. We stopped to see how we could help and that led to a great friendship. Along the way we shared Jesus with Joe and that made an eternal difference in Joe’s life. Joe accepted Jesus as his Savior and has been walking with and growing in Christ for the past 2 years. He’s still growing! Thank you, Joe, for your friendship!

Last, but by no means least this book wouldn’t be possible without the loving encouragement of my special angel, Jo-Jo, my bride of 51 years. We have faced and walked through some of life’s toughest challenges. He has been with us when we were at our wits end. We struggled through two miscarriages, troubling financial setbacks, our youngest daughter’s diabetes diagnosis and all of its challenges, deployments, the deaths of both of Harold’s parents, and the death of Jo’s dad. We have continued to run our race and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and He has never failed us. Jo-Jo has been and continues to be the wind beneath my wings. Thank you, Jo-Jo, for always being an encourager, prayer partner and my strongest supporter. I love you!

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Day 1

MY SHEPHERD

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"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:11 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

When life seems like too much you need the Great Shepherd! Do you know the Lord as your Shepherd? These verses talk about a personal relationship with the Shepherd! A relationship that is strong and vibrant. A relationship that promises in the toughest and most challenging points in life, that our Shepherd, if we know Him, is present with us. He is there to comfort, encourage, give direction, provide assurance, and lead to safety through even the challenging difficulty you might face.

David was well acquainted with being between a rock and a hard place. David knew the Lord as his Shepherd, he says in Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd.. When facing one of the biggest challenges of his life, a giant called Goliath, David told King Saul, But David said to Saul, "Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him."(1 Samuel 17:34-35) David had faced bears and lions and been victorious! You may be facing some challenges you think are bears and lions. You may be at your wits end! If David, with the Great Shepherd’s help was victorious you can be, too!

Right after David told King Saul about the lions and bears David went out to do battle with Goliath. Goliath was a giant of a man. David was a teenager much smaller and less experienced in battle, but David wasn’t afraid. In 1 Samuel 17 the Bible says that Goliath had disdain for David. David wasn’t intimidated and said to Goliath, Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted." (1 Samuel 17:45) Goliath was in full battle dress and David had a sling and 5 smooth stones. David defeated Goliath with only 1 stone. David relied on the Great Shepherd of Israel and was victorious!

Do you know the Shepherd? That relationship begins by faith as you accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Good Shepherd. The only way Jesus becomes our shepherd is for us to trust Him and invite Him to come into our heart. Have you invited Jesus to come into your heart and be your Savior and Shepherd? If you’re facing giants and are at your wits end you need Jesus! He’s waiting on you. Trust Him today!

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Day 2

NEVER ALONE

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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

The walk through the valley is a challenge too much for anyone without the Shepherd. When facing this challenge, it is common to feel like you’re at your wits end! No one seems to understand what they are going through this at that time. Their family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances and physician may all try to provide encourage-ment and help, but in the quiet moments the one in the depths may sometimes feel alone. Like it’s too much. However, God promises to be with us in the midst of every difficulty. We aren’t alone. In the verse for today God promises to be with us. And in Matthew 28:20b, Jesus said, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. The Lord says in Hebrews 13:5b, I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU.

At this moment you may be facing a challenge that appears to be insurmountable. You may be feeling that no one understands what your facing and you feel alone. Besides David other Bible characters have faced challenges and felt alone. In 1 Kings 18:22 Elijah had challenged the prophets of Baal to a contest and Elijah says, I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men. In 1 Kings 19:10 Elijah says to the Lord, And I alone am left. The Great Shepherd continues that conversation in 1 Kings 19:18 saying, yet I will leave 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him. God reminded Elijah there were 7000 other prophets and Elijah was not alone.

Today you may feel like you’re all alone. You may be feeling like there are 450 ogres ready to destroy you in your valley., but you are not alone if you know the Great Shepherd. He is right there with you leading the fight! Did you note in the verse for today that David says I walk through? There is hope that the challenge will end, you will walk through it with the Shepherd!

God’s character won’t allow us to walk through it alone.! He promises to be with us in the most challenging moments of life and death. In Psalm 145:17-18, the Bible says, The LORD is righteous in all His ways and in all His kind deeds. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. The Lord is waiting to hear from you! He’s just a prayer away. When you call in righteousness and kindness He will answer when you call. Call on Him now!

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Day 3

NO FEAR

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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Any time we feel overwhelmed and we are at our wits end fear is common. Fear is a powerful emotion. When walking through the difficulties of life and the challenges fear has to be overcome. The United Sates and the world are in the middle of a pandemic. Fear is a reality for many. A chaplain I know said he is not afraid because he knows who is in control! When we know God’s in control there is no need to fear. That is a statement of faith we should all adopt.

The same Good Shepherd promises to walk with us through every challenge that comes our way. In today’s verse David states without equivocation that he knew the Shepherds presence. He, being a shepherd, knew that the Shepherd of his soul had a rod and a staff which are used to protect and comfort.

There is no need to fear what comes next? We don’t know the future, but we know who holds the future! We aren’t promised tomorrow. We need to see every day as a gift from God. Look at each day a gift, a present.

You may be facing a physical challenge, one that has the potential of ending life. The Bible calls that the valley of the shadow of death. Even in that valley there is no need to fear. In 1st Corinthians 15:54c-57 the Bible says, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ there is victory over death. The Apostle Paul had faced death on several occasions and says part of the reason he wasn’t afraid of death was because he knew where he would go when death came. In 2 Corinthians 5:8 he wrote, Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord—7 for we walk by faith, not by]sight—8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Paul knew the moment life as he knew it ended, he would be in the presence of the Lord! That is nothing to be afraid of!

Here’s a great way to face the future without fear-put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ-the Great Shepherd. Look at life as though you’re in the land of the dying on your way to the land of the living. God has provided an answer to every fear we may face. With the Shepherd even death is not too much! If you haven’t trusted Him yet, do that now!

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Day 4

TRUST IN THE LORD

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Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1

Who or what do you trust when facing challenges and situations that appear to be too much and you’re at your wits end? In July 2002 our family had to face that question. I was lying in bed early one morning and felt I was having a heart attack. I had all the classic symptoms- elephant on my chest, pain radiating down my left arm, pain in my jaw. I thought, This can’t be happening to me! I lay there about 35 minutes and my wife sensed something was wrong and asked me, What’s wrong? I replied, I think I’m having a heart attack. She sprang into action, called 911 and within a few minutes the EMT’s were there. Immediately they gave me a nitroglycerin tablet and the pain stopped. I was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the emergency room.

After all the tests and x-rays the doctor told me I didn’t have a heart attack, but it looked like I might have lung cancer. There was an ominous looking mass in my left lung and all the lymph nodes in my upper chest were significantly enlarged. If it was lung cancer, according to the doctor, it was probably stage 4 and I needed to be prepared for the worst. I was discharged from the hospital with orders to follow up with a surgeon.

My wife had called the kids and they were on their way home. I made an appointment with the surgeon and we talked. I was told that if in fact it was cancer there probably wouldn’t be anything that could be done. Again, I thought, This can’t be happening to me. I went home and told my wife and children the ominous sounding news. We all thought it was too much!

A biopsy was scheduled. The surgeon cut my throat and did an endoscopy of the lymph nodes to see if it was cancer. News came back that it was not cancer, but sarcoidosis. A benign lung disease. Whew! What a relief.

Maybe you’re going through something like that and wonder who to trust. I trusted the Lord and encourage you to do the same. While all this was going on the verses for today were going through my mind. I tried to keep reminding myself to Trust the Lord. I am a believer in Christ, had trusted Him as my Savior when 15 years old and was now reminded of the need to keep trusting in Him. The verses for today and the Shepherds presence kept us through this challenge. They can do the same thing for you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

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Day 5

GOD IS WITH YOU

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"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before me." Isaiah 49:16

Have you ever used the phrase, I know that as well as I know the back of my hands? Most of us have at one time or another. Since our hands are attached to our bodies, we clearly know what the backs of our hands look like. We know the warts, wrinkles, freckles and age spots. In today’s verse God reminds us that He knows us so well it is as if each one of us is inscribed into the palm of His all-powerful hands. God goes on to say that we are ever before Him. That is very comforting when we are at our wits end!

This verse reminds us that we are always in God’s presence. He promises to never leave us! Stop for a moment and think about all of the Bible characters you can remember and the hardships, challenges, and difficulties they faced. Perhaps Daniel, Job, Joseph, Shadrach/Meshack/ Abednego, Elijah or some others come to your mind. Each one of these individuals faced challenges that were too much for them to face alone. In each one of their lives when the challenges came God was present with them and saw them through. God was with them in the fiery pit, the lion’s den, in prison, when they lost everything. He will do the same for you. God will see you through!

In a famous poem entitled, Footprints in the Sand, written by Mary Stevenson we are reminded that when the challenges of life are too much and we don’t think we can take another step, that God is carrying us. Mary knew these struggles and actually wrote the poem in her early teens during the depression. Her mother died when she was six and her father raised all eight children by himself. Mary’s story can be found on the internet at The Official Footprints in the Sand website. In the poem the character was reminded that in every instance when life was overwhelming that she was being carried in the arms of the Lord.

King David knew hardship and difficult challenges that would drive any one to their wits end. In Psalm 34:18 David says, The LORD is near to the brokenhearted. And saves those who are crushed in spirit. If that describes you, know that God will never leave you. In fact, if you’ll let Him, He will carry you all the way through whatever the challenge is you’re walking