Yesterday’s blog was “God Can” and in fact, He already has. He’s given us all the promises we need for this life and when we give our lives to Him, He has given us an eternal life with Him in heaven.
“ We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3&4 CEV
It was another very early morning. Time to get up and pray. Pray for those who are weary and struggling. Pray for those who need the determination to stand.
When I finished praying, I was reminded of a time when I struggled with weariness. I wanted to give up. I was ready to quit. We had a “Scripture Scroll” on the wall in our living room. Each day or two we could wind the scroll, and another Scripture was there for the reading. I had expressed my frustration and weariness to Dave. I was crying, I wanted sympathy.
We prayed together and as he walked out of the living room he read the verse on the scroll.
“Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 CEV
“That’s not fair”, I blurted out. He rolled the scroll and read again.
“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV
He was silent and let that sink in. I was frustrated and felt as if he was using Scripture against me. I hadn’t realized yet that God was using these little verses to encourage and strengthen me. He rolled the scroll one more time.
“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 CEV
This time instead of tears there was laughter! Ok Lord, I get the point. Thank you for the power of Your word and the instruction it gives me for daily living.
Now these next verses weren’t on the scroll but they should have been.
“ To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. 13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV
To end this blog (letter) I leave you with this list that gave me strength all those years ago:
- Do not grow weary and faint
- Be Steadfast and Immovable
- Do not give up or faint
- Be strengthen by Christ
- Stand
Jesus gave His all to give us the victory. Because of Him we have great and precious, unbreakable promises. Because of Him – I will stand!
