Be Encouraged Daily in the Lord
“But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).
Even though we Christian’s are really professionals at “Acting Like Everything is Ok”, the truth is everyone who serves God will face tribulation (John 16:33). In this world is sorrow, pain, doubt, trials, and adversities that often make us feel like just throwing up our hands and leaving our job, family, wives, husbands and even the church behind. It’s more common than you might think and therefore it is more important than you may think to daily seek inspiration from the Holy Spirit through the living word of God. Paul encouraged, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9). Praise the Father, the God of all comfort that He comforts us in all our tribulation (2 Cor. 1:3-4), “that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4), which serves to encourage us—and supplant discouragement and dispirited feelings. Every study will be a constant source of strength and a reminder that we “shall mount up with wings like eagles” we shall, “run and not be weary” and we shall, “walk and not faint”. Thus, in the end it will all be worthwhile. To this end let us consider some of these things that Christ gives us:
Forgiveness of Sin: Greatest of all is knowing Jesus will forgive our sin—right now! Brethren, as a Christian myself, how can I look at myself in the mirror each morning—without knowing He has forgiven my sins? I more than any other, am aware of my failures and faults. My innermost thoughts, words spoken in secret, or spoken in anger. I am fully aware, I am not perfect, I battle daily against the flesh. “23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7:21-25). Yet, I praise God daily that Jesus delivers me now as I repent and I walk in obedience to Him (2 Cor. 7:9; Luke 13:3). What an incredible blessing to know His blood reaches even me—and now, I can have peace with God. Christ, God’s Son, given a sacrifice for all is the expression of the Father’s grace. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Eph. 2:8). Because of this marvelous gift of grace, I can face each day knowing His blood has released me from a guilty conscience. As I live daily in obedience, I will have the peace of God, which is beyond understanding, but it will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7), all because He is my peace (Eph. 2:14). The message of the cross is that regardless of what you have done in the past, you can be forgiven and have newness of life now! Will you obey and receive such overwhelming peace? Paul wrote, “3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4). Secondly, understand daily that there is…
Hope for Tomorrow: Regardless of the state of my day, my life, or the world, my God who truly and dearly loves me is always in control as Christians often say, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future”, that is to say, “19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead…” (1 Cor. 15:19-20). There was no body in His tomb, (Matt. 28:6). So, we sing, because He lives, I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone, I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives. “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, but [a]joy comes in the morning” (Psa. 30:5). Every tomorrow is a blessing if you’re in Christ.
A Hope of Heaven: My hope is not just tomorrow, but for eternity with God. For all who through obedient faith are in Christ, He promised, “1 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many [a]mansions; if it were not so, [b]I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3). Jesus is now in Heaven, where there is eternal rest, where God will dwell with the saved, and where God will wipe away every tear, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, and no more pain! There the thirsty will drink from the fountain of the water of life freely. So exciting because there the saved will finally see the Face of God (Rev. 22:4). At verse 7 it is crystal clear, “He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (Rev. 21:1-7). Have you the right to dwell with the Lord (Psa. 15:1-3; Prov. 2:20-21)? Have you obeyed the Gospel (Acts 2:38)? Have you continued in righteousness (1 John 1:7)? If so, this hope in the risen Savior enables you to endure the horrible burdens of life just like Job, “25 For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is [a]destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God, 27 whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my [b]heart yearns within me!” (Job 19:25-27).
Being A Member of the Family of God. Tears ran down my face the first time I stood with brethren and sung with them, “I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God, I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood! Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, for I’m part of the family, the family of God.” What amazing brotherhood Christians share as a family of God! John wrote, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of [a]God!…” (1 John 3:1). Think about it, throughout the entire earth, everywhere God has sons and daughters, we have brothers and sisters. How blessed one is to be a part of the family of God that cares for one another’s needs (1 Cor. 12:25-26). What a wonderful feeling it is to know that if I am traveling and fall into some trouble—that the local church family whom I may have never met—will love me and help me in my hour of adversity. Indeed, I am honored to be associated with the best people in the world, the family of God.
Purpose: Society consumes people with recreational activities and leisure—lives filled with self-gratification, teaching that life’s purpose is for the accumulation of things, like the game of monopoly—he who has the most—wins. Yet with the wisdom from above, Jesus questions us all, when you hear the call of death, “…then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ 21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:15-21). After a life filled with seeking wisdom through experience, great wealth, and everything under the sun, Solomon concluded life’s true purpose saying, “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl. 12:13-14). Finally…
Strength to Endure: Through the strength of the Lord, Paul had the ability to endure his suffering, and remain faithful to his God. His inspiring words are worthy of our meditation: “11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to [a]be abased, and I know how to [b]abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through [c]Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13). As we face life’s trials, let us keep hope by what truly is important, living for Jesus. Christians have so much in this life, and even more in the next.
In Love
dave
