05/10/2022
In these times of constant change, and intense spiritual warfare, it is easy to become disheartened, and if we aren’t courageous, and don’t trust enough to wait upon the Lord, we can become spiritually wounded. We see Satan’s minions taking control of governments, killing the innocent, and his warlords brutalizing entire countries, and we call out for Jesus to come now. Yet in all of this we must endure, persevere in our faith, and wait in absolute trust. In these times of our greatest earthly suffering, and despondence, we are told to lean on God, and wait in Him. Are we able to do so without fainting? Is God our strong tower?
“I had fainted, Unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Psalm 27:13-14 KJV
As a boy there were times when I would be playing with my friends and a kid from another neighborhood group would taunt me, and try to antagonize me so that I would fight him. Most of the time it would be someone that I could easily beat, and most of the time I was able to ignore them and walk away. You see, lesser opponents often challenge you to look bigger than they are, and this is true of Satan too. He wants to make us less, and he does so by trying to appear to be our equal. However, the truth is that we are the brothers and sisters of Jesus, and He has overcome the earth.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 ESV
There is a saying I have heard all my life, and it goes like this:
“Never wrestle with a pig; you both get dirty, and the pig likes it.”
So as we walk through this world, saving those we can, planting the seed of faith in others through gospel conversations, and waiting patiently on the Lord, it will require much restraint, and tolerance of us. We will face antagonism, suffering, hardships of every description, spiritual torment, and in some cases martyrdom, but we should always look for the face of Jesus in those who confront us, and feel for the hand of God in every moment of desperation. This will strengthen our hearts, shore up our courage, and give us the faith we need to wait on God, and the coming of Christ.
“But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Matthew 5:39 ESV
On the playground I could have beaten up most of those boys, but what would my reward have been? Another fight? What I found in scripture proved to be true… there was nothing that made an opponent madder, or feel more helpless, than to turn the other cheek to him, and show no fear. This made them look and feel less, and became my victory. With blood on my face, and a pristine heart, I waited on the Lord.
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Proverbs 25:21-22 ESV
Waiting on the Lord, whether to answer a prayer, longing for the second coming of Jesus, or to give us victory against all odds by trusting completely in Our God; this is our strength, and the source of the power in our faith. Are you spiritually courageous? Can you wait on the Lord when your humanity is screaming out at the top of its lungs for you to act?
“And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.””
Exodus 14:13-14 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and His example of courage as He stood quietly before Pilot, and took the Roman lashes without resisting them. Thank you for teaching us what it means to wait on you just as Jesus did while suffering, and dying on the cross… all the while waiting on His coming resurrection. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, and never makes us wait in vain. Praised be your name when our noses bleed, and yet our faith allows us to turn the other cheek. Praise you for strengthening us as we wait upon you, and never lose our grasp on the faith we have in you. Wash us clean, not with water, but with the holy blood of Jesus that removes all sin, and makes us pure before you. Judge us to be worthy as Jesus is worthy, and seat us with Him at your table forevermore. We pray you will be pleased with us Father, and that our names will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Rich Forbes