Several years ago there was a bar at Wrightsville Beach that called itself “The Wit’s End.” The unusual name, I suppose, was chosen to give the impression that patrons who were at the end of their rope could find an answer to their problems at this location. If so, the impression was an erroneous one. Bars have caused tons of problems, but I’m not aware of them ever solving any problems.
A hand-painted sign beside a highway in the Ozark Mountains contains those same words: “Wit’s End.” Driving several miles past the sign into the hills, you will reach a mountain cabin. Someone seeking refuge from the raucous rattle of the city built himself a mountain hideaway.
Have you ever been at your wit’s end? If so, you are not alone. Multitudes of people have been there. Many are inside the city limits of Wit’s End today.
Why is this true? Frustrations in our fast-paced world are numerous. Dark clouds cover our world’s horizon. And within our nation numerous complex problems exist. For the very first time in history humans have the means to instantly annihilate civilization. And that includes you and me, my friend.
The multi-divided world needs to know that man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. People generally arrive at the place called Wit’s End for one primary reason – they are relying exclusively on human wisdom and strength. Marvelous things happen at this location when we reach up toward God with childlike faith.
F.W, Robertson, one of England’s greatest Christian ministers, was continually plagued by thoughts of suicide. George F, Handel wrote the Messiah, in my estimation the most beautiful and powerful piece of sacred music ever written, when he was at an especially low period in his life.
Few people have faced more personal tragedies than did Abraham Lincoln: the death of his son, the misunderstanding of his wife, the abuse by his contemporaries, and the contempt of multitudes who wanted our nation to continue supporting the evil practice of human slavery. Even so, few people have contributed more significantly to our nation in particular and to mankind in general than our sixteenth president.
Lincoln knew that our Creator is in the business of turning burdens into blessings. In times of defeat God clears away the obstacles in our pathway and opens the road before us in the direction of victory. He provides the strength on dark nights that brings us safely through toward the dawn of a new and radiant day.
Coming in for a landing at the Greater Cincinnati Airport several years ago a Trans World Airlines jet with seventy-five passengers aboard crashed over a mile short of the runway. Sixty-seven of the passengers and crew perished. “Flying too low” are words that describe far too many Christians today who are living in the troubling lowlands of spiritual defeat.
Listen to these words from Isaiah: “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary, and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV).
If you are at your wit’s end (or ever arrive there) remember this: When you are lying flat on your back, the only direction you can look is upward – toward God. If you will do that, a sunrise will greet you!
The Paper Pulpit 
Leave a Reply