01/03/2020
Are we ready for the challenges of life that stand before us? Do we use the call to be humble, and meek as an excuse for weakness and cowardice in the face of life’s trials? Well, Jesus was both humble and meek, but was anything but weak, or cowardly. When He faced temptation in the desert He did so with firm resolve, and as He went to the cross His courage and bravery was there for all to see. Are we ready to be brave, and more than conquerors with God by our side?
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Romans 8:37 ESV
There was a time when I was a boy that I tried out for a school play. I told all my friends how easy it was going to be, and eventually convinced myself as well. Then when the day of the audition came, and I was called forward for my reading, I was terrified... I failed miserably. You see, when I was alone in my room it truly was easy, but when I had to stand before an audience I became afraid. My fear of failing assured my failure. As Christians we talk about how God strengthens us, and that by imitating Jesus we can face all challenges, but then begin to fold the minute a hardship presents itself.
It is easy to be a Christian when we are riding a colt through the gate into Jerusalem thinking that “God is with me always.”...
“And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"”
Luke 19:36-38 ESV
But when we must face Pilot and Herod, or feel the whip, the thorns, and the cross, we can begin to quake, and falter. Suddenly our faith in the fact that God is with us always, and insures our certain victory, can seem like a distant memory, yet how did Jesus face such adversity?
“When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest?" Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?"”
John 18:22-23 ESV
Unlike Jesus, the courage, and bravery, we once thought we had can give way to fear, and trembling. Is this you, or another Christian you know? Do you forget all those times when you were told not to fear... Do you forget the promise that God made to Moses, and makes to you today?
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you." Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."”
Deuteronomy 31:6-8 ESV
We are more than conquerors through God, and when we attempt anything in the name of Jesus so that God might be glorified we will be successful, but there will be pain, and the suffering of life will challenge us... are we ready to endure it? Do we really understand what it means to courageously pick up our cross and follow Jesus, or face the army of Pharaoh bravely? It means trusting in the Word of God, and the gospel of Jesus... it means leaning on an unwavering faith.
“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 14:13 ESV
So when we are tempted, or faced with adversity, pain, or suffering, our strength truly does come from the Lord, but the question becomes this... how strong is your belief in this, and are you courageous enough to endure the challenge? Is your faith, and trust in the Lord, enough to make you more than a conqueror?
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.”
Psalms 28:7-8 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the strength and deliverance you provide us against all adversity. Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus who teaches us to hold firm against all temptation, and to face the suffering in life with courage, and to bravely obey your will when the world is prepared to punish us mightily for doing so. Help us in our belief Father, and increase our faith so that it overcomes all fear. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who conquers our enemies, and makes us to be more than conquerors through your Son Jesus Christ. Mighty is your right arm, and true is your Word that leads us on. Praised be your name Lord for all the hope, and assurance, that you give us as we face life. Great are your promises, and the perfect the endurance we receive from our faith in you as we wait on you. We give you all glory Holy Father because you are our deliverer, provider, defender against temptation and every enemy, but most of all for your grace that we receive through Jesus... our strength comes from you, and your love is the foundation of our power over all adversity and tribulation... our faith is founded in your love, and in your Son Jesus we are strengthened all the more.
“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:12-13 KJV
Rich Forbes