10/04/22
When we, the faithful believers in God, and Jesus Christ, are suffering through some bodily illness, fatigue, failure, or perhaps are being set upon by worldly suffering and calamity, do we hold tight to our faith? Do we continue believing, not as we did previously, but by growing stronger and stronger as we lean more and more on our Lord? Job gives us encouragement that should sustain us in the midst of such tribulation. Are we listening to him, and applying his resolve and faith to our own suffering? Can we prosper in faith, even when we are failing bodily?
“My eye has grown dim from vexation, and all my members are like a shadow. Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger.”
Job 17:7, 9 ESV
In pain, and despair, we are tempted to question God, and ask why we are being allowed to endure such suffering. Satan uses this, the intensity of our calamity, to plant the seed of doubt in us, and he waters it with the lack of faith that others are prone to speak to us. Job was tempted in this way, but he held firm to his faith. He did not let Satan establish a beachhead from which his attack against Job’s belief could be launched. Do we fortify the beaches of our belief, and stand firm against the enemy on the walls surrounding our faith? Do we simply hope our defenses will stand under attack, or do we work to strengthen them, even as the battle rages, and our fight continues?
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
When we suffer, and the enemy approaches, we should be ready to begin the struggle against him. We should put on the armor that we have prepared in advance, and man the walls, and our strong towers.
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 ESV
We should turn to our God, and great king, for direction, and depend on his might to strengthen us as we are entering into the conflict, because this fight for control of our faith is a struggle that will determine more than who we serve, but is a life and death struggle for our souls… it determines our final place in either glorious eternity, or the lake of fire.
“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:14-15 ESV
So this is our struggle, the war that wages for our souls, and Satan releases the dogs of war against us when we are perceived to be at our weakest. But if we hold to our faith, and lean on our God, we will not only remain strong, but become stronger.
“But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV
There are so many verses of scripture about remaining strong, and getting our strength from God. There are verses to encourage those who mourn, those who suffer illness, those who face physical attack, those whose faith and spirit is besiege, and so many more. These give us strength by preparing us for the conflicts in life, and they redouble our strength once the suffering, and temptation, of the battle has begun. Are we being tempted today by some form of tribulation? Do we need our faith, and the defenses of our belief strengthened? If so, then turn to God’s Word and lean on Him.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,”
1 Chronicles 16:11-12 ESV
Prayer:
Thank you Father for the strength and resolve you give us as we engage in the spiritual war for our souls. Thank you for strengthening us in the times we hurt the most. Thank you for healing our wounds, and repairing our broken hearts when we lose those whom we love so much. Help us Lord to remain not only firm in our faith, but strengthened beyond what we thought possible as we not only face our suffering, but the doubt that Satan attempts to plant in us in these our moments of weakness. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God, and the victor over our doubt and fears. Praised be your name for the strength you give us in our moments of weakness, and for bolstering our faith when the resolve of our belief appears to be in doubt. Merciful are you who stands ready to fill the breaches in our spiritual defenses, and loving is your presence as your grace assures us that no calamity, or temptation, can overcome us. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, and forgive us our sins. Cleanse us and transform us into the image of Christ… especially in our seasons of suffering when we need you the most. Find us worthy in judgement Father, and bring us home victorious. Seat us at your table forevermore, and smile upon us… your children.
“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”
Philippians 4:1 ESV
Rich Forbes