03/05/2022
We are believers, Christians, and yet we can still lose our grasp on the eternal promise that is offered us by God through Jesus Christ. We come to know Him, pick up our cross, and follow after Him, yet if not careful, somewhere along the way we can become fatigued, we can allow our heart to slip into sinfulness, or we might gaze too long into the evil eyes of the world, and in this way can become corrupt… lost.
“The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.”
Exodus 15:2 ESV
When we first believe we think that we are invincible, strong, and that we will never lose our strength of faith, or lose sight of God’s promises, and yet Satan is relentless, and if not bolstered we can faint. The dark one tempts us, and without help we can slowly lose sight of the love we have for the Lord, Jesus, and one another. We can let our eternal joy fade as our own happiness becomes paramount in our lives once more, and in this way our faithful perseverance dwindles, allowing us to slip back into the worldly life we once knew and had rejected. We need help against such an enemy…
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1-2 ESV
So how secure is our faith today, and do we seek the help we will need? Let’s walk the perimeter of our belief, and make certain it is secure, and that our gates are guarded. Then let’s ask ourselves how strong, and trusting, we truly are. Let’s insure that our strength come from the Lord, and is not reliant upon our own devices, and selves.
““Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.””
Isaiah 12:2 ESV
Our faith in Jesus is amazing, and gives our souls rest, and freedom from the hardships of sin and a burdensome worldly life, but it does not come without effort. Jesus tells us that his burden is light… but He does not say that it is nonexistent, or that our way will be effortless.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
All we have to do is look at what transpired in Gethsemane, and on the cross at Calvary to understand the effort and suffering of faith. In Gethsemane Jesus prayed, his sweat fell like blood, and He received help…
“saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.”
Luke 22:42-43 ESV
And who can argue that what occurred on Calvary was without effort, and suffering…
“I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast; my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death. For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
Psalm 22:14-18 ESV
There is effort involved in our own obedience to God’s will and in the maintenance of our faith; there is suffering involved in our believing. So in this way temptation can find itself encouraged, and evil can believe it has found a way to undo us. Satan watches as we pick up our own crosses to follow Jesus, and waits for the burden of our journey towards Calvary to wear on us… then he pounces like a ravenous lion.
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”
Hebrews 3:12, 14 ESV
So how strong are we? How confident are we in our faith, and belief? Do we think that our own strength is sufficient as we struggle to obey our Father, and carry our cross? Can we face the temptation and evil that is lurking just beyond eyesight without help from Heaven? Do we seek this help each day as we struggle to hold firm to our faith with fear and trembling, and to believe wholeheartedly in the eternal promises of God?
Our God, our Lord Jesus, they strengthen us, and remove our every weakness… they hold the ravenous lion at bay in the night, and alongside us they defeat him every day.
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the strength of faith you give us. Thank you for your Son Jesus who makes our burden light, and shows us how to seek your help as we struggle through this world. Thank you Father for every promise you have made us, and for keeping our hands and feet from slipping as we hold firm to them. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who ushers us into greater strength and trust as we mature in our faith. Praised be your name Lord for every temptation we have resisted, and every escape we have taken, each one coming through the strength you have provided us. Merciful are you for watching over us by night, and dressing us in your armor every day. Your grace is sufficient for us, and we hold firm to your hand, just as you are holding firm to ours. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, and lift is up on the day of judgement. Declare us worthy, and free of sin as we are covered by Christ, and seat us before you at your table for all eternity… your children.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV
Rich Forbes