My dear Brothers and Sisters, how wonderful it is to come together to encourage and edify one another as we travel through this wilderness called planet Earth. A place that sometimes seems so inhospitable and so vicious that we can actually feel like we are all alone even in the midst of a nearly 8 billion person population. Incredibly, we can feel isolated, unappreciated, unloved and taken advantage of as we suffer through persecution, aggravation, troubles and even other people’s drama. And lately it seems that these things are not only continuously coming at us but that they are getting worse and worse day by day.
Things are looking pretty bad right now, and I’m not referring to the failing economy, the fragile climate, global health concerns or even the thorny societal issues that are driving people crazy. No dear ones, not that these things aren’t bad enough by themselves, but I’m referring to something much more sinister and deadly. I speak not of the world condition, but of the depravity of the human condition. The erosion of our moral fiber, the demise of character and integrity and honesty. The disorder, the animosity and the hatred that has infected the earth, sweeping over it like the great flood in the days of Noah. I’m talking about the unavoidable things that happen when a world rejects the gracious God that so lovingly created it.
And so, with that being said, I think we can agree that the terrible events we see occurring every day, even at this very moment, could lead us to the conclusion that we are truly living in the days the Bible refers to as “perilous times.” Those times that were prophesied of when it was said “…men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:” (2 Timothy 3: 2-5)
And it is during these times that come seasons in our own individual lives as Christians where things seem so hard, irritation so extreme, trials so exhausting, stress so debilitating and loads so burdensome that it challenges our faith to the point where we may feel like giving up, or in some cases we literally act like we’ve already given up. When these times come dear ones, we must get on our knees and go to the Word of God and then ask ourselves this question: “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Galatians 5: 7)
Of course we know without a doubt who it is that purposefully puts a stumbling block in our path, to lead us down the wrong road and desires to sift us like wheat. And we also know who it was not. This demonic influence did not come from the Lord God almighty that sits on His throne above, high and lifted up with the train of His robe filling the heavenly temple, being continuously glorified by His holy angels. As scripture says, “This persuasion cometh not of Him that calleth you.” (Galatians 5: 8)
Don’t let Satan fool you with his sorry and sadistic schemes. He not only wants to discourage and destroy you, but he wants others to say there is no God to help you in times of distress. “Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God.” (Psalm 3: 2) But the devil is a liar and the father of all lies. But thank the Lord that he is not our Father. So rejoice and be exceedingly glad because as for our dear God, “Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” (Psalm 3: 3) The enemy wants you to think that no one cares for you. He doesn’t want you to remember that God has never deserted you but is always at work helping you, carrying you, strengthening you. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1: 9)
We would be down and out, depressed and demoralized, hopeless and confused, of all men most miserable if the Creator of the Universe were not operating on our behalf behind, in front and throughout the scenes of our life, ordering our steps, lighting our path, clearing the way and giving us success. What would we do “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side…?” (Psalm 124: 1) He is our rock, our sword, our shield. He’s our wheel in the middle of the wheel. He’s the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star. God is our refuge and strength and we know that “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124: 8)
So believe with all of your heart that whatever the issue in your life is, God’s got it. We just have to remember that a little leaven can leaven the whole lump, so be sober and be vigilant because we are always in danger of allowing our flesh to react adversely and try to handle situations ourselves that we don’t like or that are unpleasant. To combat this, we must sincerely endeavor to always stay properly aligned and in close contact with the Lord God in order to avoid the disaster that we are about to create on our own. And how do we do this you might ask? Here’s how. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” (1 Peter 5: 6-7)
And that’s not just a fashionable or witty statement. God truly does care for you. But times of great anxiety will sometimes cause us to forget about how much He cares for us. Such was the experience of Jesus’ own disciples one day when, after listening to the Lord teaching in Capernaum, they were in a boat, casually crossing the Sea of Galilee headed towards the Gadarenes. But then the weather changed: “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And He (Jesus) was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? “(Mark 4: 37-40) Our Lord and Savior performed a great miracle by commanding the wind and the waves to be at peace, but He also performed another miracle by turning His disciples’ apprehension and anxiety into astonishment and awe. “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of Man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4: 41)
And so it turns out that even though they thought He didn’t care, He actually cared for them more than they would ever know. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Corinthians 2: 9-10) Yes, Jesus was sleeping, but He wasn’t sleeping on the job. This was Jesus the Prince of Peace, the Power of God. And though their natural eyes saw Him physically asleep, their spiritual eyes failed to see that His virtue was at work, His favor was with them, His protection was over them and His thoughts were of them. “Many, O LORD my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40: 5)
And speaking of being numbered, here all of you are today by the grace of God knowing that the Lord has brought you a mighty long way, and that the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Praise God that we are the apple of His eye and the object of His affection. Our adversary doesn’t want us to realize that we are the crowning completion of His creation and we occupy such a preferred position of fondness that even angelic beings don’t understand why we are so special. “What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psalm 8: 4-5) But God knew what He was doing when He made us and we were prepared with a purpose. Magnificently and superbly prepared. His Word says “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139: 14)
And when He made us it was glorious because we were made in the likeness of His glorious image. “And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness… .” (Genesis 1: 26) “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2: 7) “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” (Genesis 1: 27-28) He gave us authority over the planet, the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, all the cattle and every creeping thing, and again there was amazement at what God had done. “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8: 6-8) We were not only made special, but even our death is special. “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.” (Psalm 116: 15)
And so dear ones, I tell you all of these things because I want you to be encouraged during these very trying times of stress, tribulation and temptation. If you are living godly in Christ Jesus you shall suffer persecution. But though these things are appointed to us, God will take care of us whenever He allows us to go through them. So lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees. Make straight paths for your feet and count it all joy, “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.” (1 Peter 1: 6-10)
During your next trial, whether its’s semi-mild or off-the-chain fiery, try to disregard your circumstances and focus on how much God loves you and how fondly He thinks of you. Know that you are treasured by the Lord and this is His sweet, soul-comforting message that He is whispering directly and lovingly to you personally. He says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you…” (Jeremiah 29: 11-14) Therefore stand firm, encourage yourself, let these words get into your spirit and then confidently proclaim: “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.” (Psalm 139: 17-18) Yes! Hallelujah and glory to God almighty!
“The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24: 1) He is the Potter and we are the clay. He is the Creator and we are the creature. He is our God and we are His people. The people of His own choosing, the sheep of His pasture. He who has obligated Himself to love us, to care for us, to protect us, to provide for us, to strengthen us, to comfort us, to guide us, to encourage us, to bless us and to redeem us. And knowing that “The LORD is on my side” (Psalm 24: 1), you can and always should say, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8: 31) Nothing stands a chance of trying to drive a wedge between us and God if we don’t let it happen. Nothing or no one. Not man, not beast, not even Satan himself. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 35-39)
If you keep your mind stayed on Jesus, He will keep you in perfect peace. The Devil will try to deceive you into thinking God is not there for you, particularly during times of distress. But God promised never to leave us nor forsake us. He doesn’t flee when the wolf comes, He crushes the wolf. He is not a hireling, He is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. He’s always been there for you, even before you were even thinking about Him. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5: 6 & 8)
By one spectacular act of love that can never be imitated or duplicated, our Heavenly Father secured our opportunity to share eternity with Him and His beloved Son. Sometimes we are so willing to believe Satan’s bad news, but shouldn’t we be more ready to believe God’s good news? And the good news is this: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3: 16-17)
On the day of Jesus’ birth an angel from the heavenly host spoke to shepherds who were abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night and uttered these marvelous words, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2: 14) We are loved, not left alone. We are built up, not broken down. We are the head and not the tail, we are the victors and not the victims. By faith we reject sickness and claim healing, we speak life and not death, we bow down so we can stand strong, we choose blessing instead of cursing, we walk in the Spirit so we won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. And this is all a result of the mercy, grace and goodness of the Holy One who inhabits eternity. The Holy One who spoke the universe into existence.
He is worthy of our praise not only for what He has done, but just because of who He is. He commanded and everything was created. So let everything that was created praise the LORD. “Praise ye Him, all His angels: praise ye Him, all His hosts. Praise ye Him, sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars of light. Praise Him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling His word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Beasts, and all cattle; creeping things, and flying fowl: kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth: Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His name alone is excellent; His glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148: 2-4 & 7-13)
And that same glory is above your situation that seems to be spiraling out of control or the events you feel you can’t cope with. Don’t give in but hold on. Trying times will come and go but the Lord is here to stay. He is good and His mercy endures forever. So even during the crushing circumstances you may face in life, God will carry you through and will fight your battles for you. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.” (James 1: 12) So “…be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord forasmuch as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15: 58) Rejoice, and again I say rejoice, because the Lord truly does care for you. And that, beloved ones, should be of great comfort to us all.
May the Lord ever encourage you and strengthen you in Spirit in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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