Difficulties of life come to us all; no exceptions. They are not our choice. Often they arrive unexpectedly. Trials, grief, assorted troubles may weave into our relationships, our health or sickness to someone we love, finances, or work. In a wider circle we may be affected by problems in our community, churches, with neighbors. Again, no one is exempt. James said in 1:2, Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity of great joy. We may read that and want to shout, “What?!? Are you kidding me!” It may be especially daunting when we take note the verse says “when,” not “if.”
Are we truly to be glad, rejoicing when bad things happen? Of course not. That is a misinterpretation of the verse. It is not suggested here that we are to be happy because something terrible came our way. Rather, it is assuring us that as a result of the problem, we will be made stronger; therefore, rejoicing in the peace and strength, and yes, joy that will come to us. Choosing to trust God in the fire of our burdens, grows our faith until we truly know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:29 NKJV). Songwriter Andrea Crouch wrote a song with the words, “If I never had a problem, I’d never know God could solve them.” How can we know the truth of Luke 1:37, For with God nothing is impossible, if we never see Him work miracles of His comfort and peace in the most dire of circumstances?
Have you ever watched someone use a blowtorch? The piece of metal being worked upon is torched in the fire to be bent and molded into something useful and beautiful, fit for purpose. In the fire it may be beaten with a hammer or fused to fit perfectly in place. This is what happens to us when we are thrust into unexpected fires of sorrow and turmoil. Our Father is with us, controlling the blows, speaking words of comfort and instruction to, “Press on! press on! You will obtain the prize of peace and joy, unexplainable to the world, but intimately shared between you and Me for all your days on earth, and vast, unmeasured jubilation in Heaven” (Philippians 3:14 paraphrase mine). Keeping our eyes focused on our Father no matter the pain; especially in the pain, increases our faith in Him, and grows our love for Him.
Our Father’s love never changes toward us, but our love is wishy-washy, so often depending on outward circumstances. That is not true love. Growing into perfect love which is unhindered by the world’s burdens, is an intimacy worth developing. Love shared between you and your Father cannot be compared to any other for it is unbreakable for eternity. Therefore, let us ask the Holy Spirit’s help when unexpected troubles land in our path. He will always answer our call for help, and He will always be our everything to get us through anything. The results of such trusting? Joy unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8).
In Exodus 16 we find the story of the children of Israel being led away from captivity in Egypt. They had to cross the Red Sea, which God parted so they could walk over on dry land, and then they had to make their way through the desert. You can imagine the hardship of traveling through a barren land, but the Lord promised to provide for them. We read in Exodus 16:4, The Lord said to Moses, ‘Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day.’ What an interesting promise, with much for us to be reminded of today.
First, the Lord promised to provide, but there was also a requirement for the people. He would give the needed food; they had to pick it up. It’s the same in our spiritual worlds. He has provided all the spiritual food we need to face all the hardships of life — but we have to go get it. We have to read and meditate upon His Word. We have to call upon Him and listen for His answer (Jeremiah 33:3). We have to seek the Holy Spirit for understanding of God’s Word, and for strength and peace (Matthew 7:7, John 14:16 & 17). God didn’t spoon feed the Israelites in their hour of need, and He won’t spoon feed us either, but He always provides.
Second, the Lord gave the people what they needed for that day. Again, it’s the same in our spiritual worlds. We face a difficulty today. We want direction, courage, strength, and peace. Our loving Heavenly Father will provide those things — today. Tomorrow He will provide what we need at that time. I have met Christians who share they prayed for specific needs, were blessed with what they needed, but in days following they found themselves in need again, and were surprised. They had assumed a provision today would last for all their days on earth. Our Father will indeed provide each day, but we must seek Him each day, too. Why? Lest we forget.
Our frail minds and self-centered hearts are naturally prone to give ourselves credit when needs are met. We can so easily pat ourselves on the back, our ego filled with praise at what we have done, forgetting so quickly, but for the provision of the Lord we would have nothing. It’s true He gives rain to both the godly and the ungodly (Matthew 5:45). Both the Christian and the non-Christian have food and clothing and shelter. So, what’s the difference? The difference is in knowing your Father. We are not orphans seeking to make our own way in life. We have a Father to whom we may go, and are urged daily to go to Him for all our needs. Our daily requirements are not confined to bread and water. We also need strength and wisdom to deal with demonic influences, spiritual enemies seeking always to kill our peace, steal our joy, and destroy our hope in Jesus (John 10:10).
Never forget, whatever you need today — you are free to go and get it. Go before your Father. Tell Him what you need. Yes, He already knows, but He desires you remember from where your help comes. Why? Because continued focus on Him is key to maintaining daily strength, joy, peace, and insight for all you do — everyday.
What is your need today? Father will provide. Go and get it.
I read something this week that made me smile yet again in the goodness of God Almighty. All through nature the themes of God’s truth can be found. In the first book of the Bible we read, The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters…Then God said, ‘let there be light,’ and there was light (Genesis 1:2-3 NLT). In the very last book of the Bible, regarding a description of Heaven we read, The city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, the Lamb is its light (Revelation 21:23 NLT).
In our spiritual world we are born into darkness; we are empty, the void to meaning in life often deep and disturbing. Then comes Jesus, the Light of the world. He said to His listeners in John 8:12, I am the Light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life (NLT). Until then, there is struggle, the darkness of our carnal nature is at war with our new nature of the light of God within us. The Apostle Paul wrote about this in Romans 7:22-25, I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (NLT). I am encouraged in knowing that someone like Paul struggled with the battle of sin vs. holiness.
What can we do today? Throughout God’s Word we are reminded that keeping our eyes on Jesus, purposing in our hearts to focus on the Light, is the only thing that will give us victory over the darkness of sin. Everyday of our lives, demonic forces are warring for the attention of our minds. It gets tedious and discouraging, but let us be reminded also that, practice makes us stronger. No athlete ever reached their goal without practice in their sport. It is no different as we run our spiritual races, eyes on the finish line when one day, we will leave the darkness of sin behind and live eternally in the Light of Heaven where no temptations of sin may ever enter our thoughts again.
May our every moment of our every day be filled with the purpose to, let your Light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16 NIV). I encourage us all, never stop running your race. One step in front of the other gets us closer to the finish line. Let us cross from earth to Heaven in courage, that with the help of the Holy Spirit, we have done our utmost in our love for Jesus to, let our Light shine. We surely don’t want to enter His presence in shame, the first time we see His face, to be filled with remorse that we didn’t purpose to run our race, to let the Light shine in our words and deeds.
John encouraged us well in this matter when he wrote in I John 2:28, And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame (NLT). Did you see the key? Remain in fellowship with Christ. Never stop talking to Him. Never stop listening, Never stop reading His love letter called the Scriptures. Just never stop. When you fall, confess your sin and get back to running the race. When you are discouraged, tell Jesus all about it, and keep on keeping on. Just never stop. Remain in fellowship with Him. Keep on running. The Holy Spirit will be your strength as you purpose in your heart to keep on running your race, letting your light shine.
Today Americans all over the world will be celebrating this special day. On July 4th in 1776 the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the newly formed United States of America. The Second Continental Congress convened at Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall. The original 13 colonies became states, later followed by many other territories becoming states. Today there are 50 stars on our flag to represent these states. Becoming independent was and is today a great joy, but is there an even greater joy? Oh, yes! For the child of God, celebrating spiritual independence is the greatest of all joy.
Jesus said it best in John 8:36, If the Son sets you free, you are truly free. From what are we set free? The Apostle Paul explains in Colossians 1:13, For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. Also, when Jesus forgives our every sin, making us clean by washing us in His blood shed on the cross for us; then, as Paul explained in II Corinthians 5:17, If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and all things have become new. When any of us comes to Jesus, receiving His gift of forgiveness and the promise of life with Him in Heaven forever, then we are indeed set free!
We are free to follow His perfect plans for our lives. We are free to walk in peace and joy above any peace or joy the world can give. We are free, with the help of the Holy Spirit Who resides within every child of God, to be empowered to overcome sin’s temptations. We are free to let Christ rule supremely, sitting on the thrones of our lives. Our own selfish and sinful desires no longer sits on that throne which leads to guilt and despondency. When we are set free in Jesus, then we are set free from ultimate, eternal spiritual death, where light does not glow, and darkness surrounds forever. We can all be set free from such an eternal prison sentence.
If you personally know Jesus today, then celebrate your freedom from sin’s clutches. If you only know about Jesus, but have never met Him personally, then today can be your own celebration of freedom day. If you truly want Jesus’ forgiveness right now, then invite Him right now into your life. Tell Him you know He died on that cross for you, to pay the penalty for your sins. Tell Him you accept His forgiveness. Tell Him you want a new life. Tell Him you want to turn away from your old sinful ways, and turn instead, to walk the paths He chooses for you. I promise there is no greater joy than to invite Jesus into your life. He will come. He will save you. He will fill you with joy and peace such as you have never known before.
If you have just invited Jesus into your life, I urge you to seek other Christians. Tell them you have just become a Christian. I promise such news will be received with gladness. They will help you to grow in your faith. Christians are a family together, encouraging each other,, sharing burdens and joy together.
May all of you be blessed in celebration today.
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you prayed all through the day; perhaps even in the night? Yo knew exactly what you needed in your given situation, but it didn’t come, even after much earnest prayer. You told God over and over again. Maybe you listened to praise songs. Maybe you read the Bible more fervently that you usually do. After all this, nothing. You didn’t get what you asked for; in fact, it appears you’re getting nothing at all. Is God listening? Is He helping? Does He really care? Those unwanted thoughts, (whispered by demonic forces in evil glee) swirl and twirl in your disheveled and disappointed mind.
It reminds me of Daniel when he got thrown into the den of hungry lions. We know the end of the story so it’s easy to overlook what his human feelings might have been. Daniel had no idea that he would not be ripped to pieces by those lions. All he knew was, after years of being faithful to God, never wavering in his loyalty and belief in Him, he has been thrown to the lions. This is what he gets for His tremendous faith? Really? God allowed that to happen to His loving servant?
Do you ever feel like that when bad things happen? Do you want to shout, “God, are You kidding me? I’m staying close, reading my Bible, listening to praise songs, never miss church, and this happens? Seriously?” Just as Daniel didn’t know the end of his story in that incident, neither do you or I when we face our own lion’s den moments. In this instance, God shut the lion’s mouths (Daniel 6:22). Daniel was delivered unharmed. The thing we must grasp, Daniel would have been delivered even if he, like countless of Christians thrown to lions, had died in that den.
His friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego also knew this truth when they were told to worship a golden statue or die. In Daniel 3 we read the story of them being thrown into a fiery furnace for their steadfast faith in God. When this threat was first spoken to them, they replied that their God could save them, then added these remarkable words in vs. 18, “Even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear, we will never serve false gods or a golden stature.” What? They would serve no other god even if their God allowed them to die? Why? Because they knew that Christians do not ultimately die ever.
Our physical bodies fade away, but our spirits live on, and we are given new, perfect bodies in Heaven with Jesus for eternity. Therefore, none of us need fear the “even if not” to our pleading prayers. For the child of God, a “no” to our prayers is still an eternal blessing. His plans for us on earth are better than we can imagine, and His plans for us in Heaven are beyond our most beautiful imaginings.
We must take great care not to put God on a deadline. When we pray hard for something that doesn’t take place as we asked, don’t fire God for missing your deadline. Don’t turn away as if He was an employee that you had to dismiss. Unthinkable! God has always had your best interests in His forever loving heart. That’s why He sent Jesus in the first place, to give you what you do not deserve — forgiveness of every sin and a place in eternal bliss where sorrow does not exist.
Whatever you are waiting on God for today, pleading with all your heart, choose to trust in the dark, when you can see no other way. God loves always. He cares for you always. A “no” or “not now” from your Father is always a loving answer. Trust brings joy; anger feeds despondency. May your joy grow stronger each day.
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