Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Such beautiful and encouraging words written for all who have placed their faith in Christ. Isaiah 26:3 states: “thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusted in thee”. In chapter 41:10 Isaiah wrote, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am they God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.
Now I guess if we would be honest with ourselves and each other, we will have to admit that the promises above seem distant and “unbelievable” to us at times. There are occasions when God seems distant and uncaring about our situations. He doesn’t seem to hear us when we cry out to Him. In Psalms 13:1 David asks God why He forgot him. In II Timothy 3:1 we are warned that in the last days perilous, i.e. difficult, dangerous and fierce times shall come. And anyone who has been a true follower of Christ eventually comes to the knowledge that we are not exempt from society’s stresses, frustrations and concerns. However, we can rejoice in the knowledge that the brief time we spend in this world is really very short and temporary.
Christ told us in John 16:33 that in this world we would have tribulation, but we can be of good cheer and have peace in Him because He has overcome the world. Hallelujah! I must confess that I personally have been troubled in mind and spirit over what’s happening in the “world”. And over the last couple of months I have experienced much anxiety and stress and Christ has helped me overcome each episode. We must not let our enemy destroy our faith because we are not immune to stress and that evil can sometimes overwhelm us. Christ Himself was under such stress and anxiety in the garden, that he sweat drops of blood. He overcame His trial just as we will, through faith and obedience to our Father and fulfilling His will in our lives.
This article is much different than the ones I usually write, but I know that from time to time we all need a little boost and some encouragement to continue our walk with Christ and the continual battle with our “spiritual” adversaries! We must keep our eyes on Christ at all times. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith! Remember Peter literally walked on water until he let the waves draw his eyes off of Christ! Yet, Christ stretched out His hand and saved him as He will to all who trust Him!
In Luke Chapter 21 we read about the troubles coming on the earth. In verse 26, Christ says that men’s hearts would fail them because of fear as they see the world system destroy itself! You can be certain that if you desire to walk with Christ, you will be hated by the world. That, my brothers and sisters, will grow worse as society turns more against Christ and His church! That is easily witnessed in America today!
We must keep in our hearts and minds what Paul said in Romans 8:18. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul also encouraged us when it comes to weighing the “cost” we may have to pay for serving and obeying Christ in this world. In Philippians 3:7-8 the loss of all these things on this earth are counted as “dung” in comparison to knowing Christ.
Take time to read a few of the promises given to those that overcome this world and its tribulations in the book of Revelation chapter 2 and verses 7, 10, 11 and 17. And Chapter 3 verses 12 and 21.
There is one more very important and precious point I want to share with you before we end this article. To me, it’s one of the most profound and life changing statements I have ever found in The Word of God. We have already discussed in previous articles that when you place your faith and life in Christ, you are rescued from satan’s kingdom of darkness and bondage and placed into the Kingdom of light and liberty of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:12-13)
In Philippians 3:20 Paul stated to the church, the true body of Christ, that our “conversation” or “citizenship” has been moved from this world into Heaven! Our new allegiance is to Christ’s Kingdom (law system)! I feel confident that 90% of Christians have no idea of this extremely powerful and important point! They have never studied The Word deep enough to look at the meaning in the Strong’s Concordance. Not only is this fact a huge blessing, but also a huge increase in our responsibility to obedience to His law system! Let’s grow up in Christ!
Stay strong brothers and sisters! Victory is ours through Christ! I Corinthians 15:57-58
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