Persevere

1 Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

 As Christians, we are often surprised by the difficulties and trials that we face.  This verse reminds us to expect difficulties, it’s not some strange thing. We all encounter them.  Our attitude toward these trials and tough times is important.  We are reminded that Christ suffered, and therefore we also should expect to suffer.  If we share in His sufferings, then we will also share in His glory.  The joy at that time will be unimaginable. Stay steady, persevere….You will not be disappointed.     

God will make a way

Isa 45:2  I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

God will not call us where He cannot take us.  No matter how the future looks, if we go with God, He will make a way.  There are times when we look at the path ahead of us with fear…it looks impossible to accomplish God’s calling.  God has promised to go ahead of us and prepare the way.  He will straighten the road, He will take us through the impassible places, He will deliver us.  Follow God, He will prepare the way before you.   

The good of the bad

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

 Paul found good in his difficulties, so much so that he gloried in them, took pride in them.  Why? Because the trouble he faced produced endurance by the help of God, which in turn produced experience.  This experience of persevering and finding God’s help in time of trouble produced hope, faith in God.  This hope and faith in turn caused him to not be ashamed, but rather to be confident, because the knowledge that God loved him filled his heart.  May God help us to look to Him with the same confidence Paul found in times of trouble, so that we too may experience His love for ourselves and have our faith and confidence strengthened.   

Mercies surround us

Psa 32:10  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

 Sometimes Satan can tell us how hard the Christian life is.  We need reminded who really has is tough.  Those who don’t know the Lord find many difficulties and sorrows.  Those who trust the Lord will live surrounded by His mercy.  We will have His grace and mercy to help in our times of trouble.

God is mindful of us

Psa 115:12  The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron.

 God is mindful of us.  He has not forgotten us or overlooked us. It is easy to think that somehow God has forgotten all about us when we are struggling in trouble and trials.  This verse reminds us that God is mindful of us, aware of our situation.  Not only is He aware, in due time He will bless us.  Stay steady, don’t despair, look in anticipation to God for help.  

God will give us strength

Psa 29:11  The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.

 This verse concludes the 29th Psalm which extols God’s great power over all the forces of nature.  This Psalm exhorts us to praise our mighty God.  This promise is a fitting conclusion.  Our God is a mighty God and He will give us the strength that we stand in need of for every situation in life.   God will also bless His children with peace, an inward peace that comes from the assurance of His power and care.  Trust Him

Praise Him for His goodness

Psa 107:15  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

 God is good, all the time, in every situation.  God is perfectly good, completely good.  What great praise is due our God for His goodness!  He has dealt wonderfully with sinful man.  He has shown mercy, extended forgiveness and shown His children good in every area of life.  May our hearts well up in praise as we meditate on His goodness.

Satisfaction

Jer 31:14  And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD.

 This verse appears in the context of the promise of the captives returning from Babylonian captivity.  The preceding verses speak of the restored blessings and joy that would accompany that redemption.  This verse concludes with the satisfaction that both priest and people would enjoy.  When we return fully to the Lord and are revived again, God’s people will enjoy His goodness.  His goodness brings a deep satisfaction.  May we continue to pray and work toward that reviving in our day.

Renewed day by day

2 Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 Growing old is one of the curses of sin on this present creation.  Though our present body may grow old and fail, we need not despair. Our inner person, our spirit and soul, can be continually refreshed and renewed in this present life, while we await our eternal body.

Stay the course

Pro 23:17  Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.  Pro 23:18  For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

 We are reminded that this life is not all there is to our existence.  We can be tempted to look around at those who don’t know God, those who live as if there is no God.  We can look at these and envy what they have, or what they enjoy.  We are reminded to keep our reverence for the Lord and continue faithful.  There is an end.  There is a reckoning.  A great and happy future awaits the faithful.  Press on.

God cares for the needy

Psa 9:18  For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

 Too often, the poor and the needy are overlooked in our world.  But here is a promise for those who may be struggling with needs:  God takes note of you.  God takes special interest in the poor and this world.  Let’s take hold of this promise and look to God for His help.

Our God

Zec 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

 As God’s people, we are not exempt from trouble and difficulty.  However, it is often in the trials that we make our greatest spiritual progress.  It is when we see our need, when we feel our own helplessness that we cry out to God most honestly and earnestly.  Our God is faithful.  He hears and prayer and sends the help that we need.  This is where we most clearly see God’s love and care for us.  God gives witness that we belong to Him.  Our heart wells up in the knowledge that we belong to Him and that He is truly OUR God.

The same

Jos 1:5  There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 There are times I wish some of the heroes of the faith from times gone by were still with us.  Yet, as God reminds Joshua in this passage, our God remains the same.  He will be with us, as He was with those great spiritual leaders who have gone before us.  He will not fail in our generation, He will not fail, He will prove faithful just as He has in the past.  With God, we can face the future with courage. 

Make his name known

Psa 105:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people

 Our God is good, perfectly good, all the time.  We who have experienced His love and goodness owe Him thanks.  We are also responsible to let those around us know of His great goodness. Our gratitude should overflow in such a way that our thanks and praise flows out to God, and our testimony lets those around us know of our great God.

The good life

Psa 34:12  What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Psa 34:13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Psa 34:14  Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

 Who wants a good long life?  Here is the path:  stay away from evil and do good.  Watch your talk.  Doing good always involves keeping away from evil speaking, gossip and any malicious talk.  Having a good life requires seeking peace, actively making the effort to live in peace.  Pursue the good life.

Delivered from fears

Psa 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

 We all have fears…fears about our health, fears about our finances, fears about the future, fears about many things.  There is a place of calm, a place of peace, a place of safety and security.  It is found in the presence of God.  When we seek Him, He hears and delivers.  Don’t allow Satan to cause you to live in fear and anxiety.  Seek your heavenly Father for His assurance and deliverance.

Trust and obey

Psa 37:3  Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psa 37:4  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

 Here is the key to a good life: do good and trust God, or as the song says “trust and obey”.  God has promised to provide for those who do good, live righteously, and trust Him.  God has promised deep satisfaction to those who find their deepest joy in Him. 

Losing and gaining

Joh 12:25  He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  Joh 12:26  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

To be a disciple of Christ means to be willing to live as He lived.  This includes living a life of holiness, but it also includes being willing to suffer with Him.  It means being willing to sacrifice the pursuits of this life, if necessary, to be faithful to Him. This seems a price too high for many, but the reward of eternal life far outweighs the cost in this present world. 

Whosoever will

Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 Here is an open invitation to come and find eternal life.  Salvation is freely offered.  Eternal life is extended to all who truly desire it. What a shame that so many are missing the most important thing in life when it is so readily available.  Let’s do our part to echo the call “Come, take of the water of life”

Be content

Heb 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 Very, very few people today are content.  Very, very few professed Christians are content.  Our society is saturated with a culture of covetousness.  We are instructed to seek our contentment in the security of knowing that God is faithful.  If God is watching over us and has promised to take care of us, what more is there to be desired?  I pray God help us to find a greater satisfaction in Him, a greater trust in Him.  I know of no greater witness to our generation.