After a devastating fire in March 1913 threatened to close the college, God gave Dr. Forrest a promise that has become the college’s anthem of faith: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners . . . to comfort all who mourn . . . giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified†(Isaiah 61:1-3) Today, you may feel as though your life has been deeply scorched by fire. You may wonder if you should give up or if you should keep going. God’s answer is the same one that He gave Richard Forrest: keep going. Jesus came to set you free from doubt and worry. He promises to comfort all who mourn, to provide beauty for ashes, and a mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fear and fainting. Ask Him to speak to your heart and trust Him for the future. When you do, He will work mightily in your life! (This recent photograph was taken alongside Toccoa Creek behind Fant.)
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