Are you feeling trapped in a life of sin, or perhaps you find yourself in the throws of great temptation, and don’t know how you can save yourself? Well if this is the case, look to the Lord God because it is His intention to redeem you from your sin, and to save you from all temptation.
From the house of David comes the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. He wasn’t made new from the dust as a more perfect model of man, no, and he didn’t come from heaven as a perfected being... He was every bit a man, and yet God as well. He knows what we feel, and the troubles that face us; after all, He was tempted as we are and faced each of our human trials. This makes Jesus our perfect comforter, and lamb of sacrifice... He was chosen from the people.
What is it about ourselves that causes us to be prideful? Do you say “I am a self-made man!” And give speeches about how anyone can do what you have done if they only apply themselves as you have? Such conceit, and arrogance! Who gave you the mind you have, the wisdom and not a mental disability, or the body that is straight and not bent, and a land of opportunity in which to live rather than one of famine? What part did you play in any of this? All you are, and everything you have comes from God... be humble in your thanks.
When times are hard in your life do you think that God has walked away from you, and abandoned the gifts He gave you through Jesus Christ? Do you think that the promise of salvation, His protection, and provision has been reneged on? Well that couldn’t be further from the truth. You see, God’s promises and callings last forever, and remain forever with you as well. When the easy times turn hard, and you suffer, continue to look all the more to God.
You have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and received the seed of your faith, so if we view your faith as we would a seed, have you sown it in good soil, or amongst the thorns? Have you taken care and gently placed it in rich soil, and watered it with the Word of God, or cast it in the thorns of a worldly life, and sprinkled it with man’s deceit and wealth?
Seeking God, and knowing that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us by His death, resurrection, and ascension; this is the most important quest of our lives. If we fail in this journey then all is lost in a few short years on earth. So what drives us to look for Him, why do some of us fail, and how can we succeed in finding Him?
Do you desire the rest and peace of God? If so, are you striving to be obedient to God’s Word, and to His will for you? We work at those things God would have us do so that on the Sabbath we can experience the same rest He did, but what if we are disobedient? What if our hearts become hardened to Him? Will that rest still await us?
Are you sorrowful, feeling the many pains of life, or otherwise suffering today? Well be of good cheer because a time is coming soon when the tears of your eyes will be dried forever by God Himself, and you will be led by Jesus Christ to founts of living water. For we as Christians the agony of the world is only temporary, but our joy in being with God is eternal.
Are we at war within ourselves? Is our family arguing and in disarray? Are we in constant chaos across the world? Why is this so, and what can we do about it? How can we bring peace and calm to ourselves and the world around us? The secret of course, is to turn to God, and allow Him to provide for us, and to let Him remove the struggling passions and greed within us. The solution is to lean on Him and be happy; to ask for His provision and be satisfied in it.
Are we confident in the promises of God? Are we certain enough to stand before Him and after asking something of Him say “now do as you have spoken.”? We serve a God who is true, and whose Word is perfect and without quibble... his promises stand as if stone and are good forever. So why is it that we fear the outcome of our troubles, or the certainty of our salvation?
Are you inclined to lose heart in your salvation when trouble comes on you with both feet, and fists flailing? Do you lose faith in God’s ability to save, and doubt His love for you in these times of hardship? Well, just as He was able to save you in the hour of your first belief He is there to sustain you in that faith always, and feels your suffering.
Are things not going well in your life? Do you go to work and do the same things as those around you and yet they prosper and you do not? Do you ask yourself how those around you can do so well, and yet you, who are a righteous person, fails? Well perhaps it is your association with those who are unbelievers, and not doing all that God desires of you.
There are two types of Christians in the world... those that call themselves faithful, and those who were called and made so by Christ himself; we must carefully ask ourselves which of these we are. In our quest of faith there are those who travel alone, and those who walk humbly behind their master... those of earthly substance, and those of heavenly power and treasure.
Perhaps you say that you once believed in Jesus Christ, but not any longer, or you say that you are a Christian and yet there is no outward flourishing to indicate that this is true. In both cases, what is the problem with your faith, what stifled it and kept I from prospering? You are like a plant, but without a healthy root it can’t continue to grow, and will eventually die.
Why do you fret and run about in your faith? Are you fearful of physical death, and don’t understand what lies ahead, or are you actually afraid that you have fallen short of God’s mark and will not experience eternity with Him? As a Christian you should fear neither... you should have confidence in the Lord’s promise of eternity, and know that your faith in Jesus Christ is your pass to dine comfortably, restfully, at God’s table.