“We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you. All of these things are for your benefit. And as God’s grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.”
2 Corinthians 4:14-18 (NLT)
Occasionally, we get caught up in the circumstances of our lives and become overwhelmed spiritually to such a degree that we take our eyes off the Lord. It is easy to wallow in our personal pity parties and forget the strength and comfort we would receive from the Lord and His Word. Sometimes, I do love my pity party!
It just seems unfair! O, did I really let that get out? Maybe, we need a spiritual renewal. Though we are forgiven, we still live in a fallen world with war, illness, crime, divorce, drugs, and the list continues. Our complaints about our circumstances are like the soldier who goes to war, gets wounded then complains because he did. Didn’t he know that getting wounded was a distinct possibility? Despite the unfairness and injustice, Paul reminds us that God says: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9 ESV)
Yet, despite His grace, we still want to justify our feelings to God. We might say, “Well, God it would be a great testimony if you just supplied every thing, healed every time, and removed all the obstacles in my life. O how I could serve you!” But he said to Peter, “you follow me.” No qualifications. No conditions. Simply “follow me.” Despite our circumstances, let’s continue to follow Him, even when we reach the end of the rope.
Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in the end of it and hang on.” Winston Churchill said, “Never give in . . . never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force . . . never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
Read today’s text again. Paul reminds us of what should be the real focus of our lives. It is satan’s purpose to destroy us and make us think that our burdens are too heavy, but Paul encourages us, “Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time” (Gal. 6:9 NLT).
Dear Father, thank you for your sufficient grace. Enable us to faithfully follow you despite our circumstances. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today and HANG IN THERE!!!! Victory is just ahead!
(Written by Mrs. Bobbie Smith)