Christian, if you are in a night of trial, think of tomorrow. Cheer your heart with the thought of your Lord’s coming. Be patient, for as the old hymn says, “Lo! He comes with clouds descending.” Be patient, for the Husbandman waits until He can reap His harvest. Be patient, for you know who has said, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (Revelation 22:12 NLT). If you have never felt as wretched as you do now, remember A few more rolling suns, at most, Will land me on fair Canaan’s coast. “Hail, Sovereign Love,” Jehoiada Brewer (1776) Your head may be crowned with thorny troubles now, but before long it will wear a starry crown. Your hand may be filled with cares, but it will soon sweep the strings of the harp of heaven. Your garments may be dirty with dust now, but in time they will be white. Wait a little longer. Oh, how unimportant our troubles and trials will seem when we look back on them! Seeing them here and now, they seem immense—but when we get to heaven we will then With transporting joys recount, The labors of our feet. “Lord, What a Wretched Land Is This,” Isaac Watts (18th century) All of our trials will then seem only like “light and momentary troubles” (2 Corinthians 4:17). So let us go on boldly. Even if the night has never been so dark, know that the morning will come—which is more than those shut up in the darkness of hell can say. Do you know what it is to live on a future expectation of heaven? Believers are happy to have such a sure, comforting hope. It may be dark now, but it will soon be light; all may be trial now, but all will soon be happiness. What does it matter that weeping may stay for the night, when rejoicing comes in the morning? - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening
Trials are indeed part of life. Struggles come with each new day. Sin is the reason and is explained way back in the beginning of Genesis. God said that the fruit of the ground would not yield its full measure to him, he would have to work for it. Until then anything Adam and Eve wanted to eat was at the ready.
We have been living in their sin cursed world ever since. Struggles come each day. I had a few this morning already.
Just getting up was one of them. Then problems in the kitchen. Until we who are in Christ are with Christ we won't be finding true rest and peace.
We live in a world of worries and fears right now. It's easy to be consumed with the news reports. What is happening, what rights are being taken, all sorts of issues related to the virus.
So we are in the midst of the storm.
Who is Master of the storm? One attempted to come up against Jesus while He slept. He rebuked it and it became still and calm.
Your storms are meant to bring fear and worry. Yet what did Jesus ask His Disciples? Where's your faith?
Pray at all times. In all circumstances. For every thought that comes to mind, sift it through prayer. Taking every thought captive.
Jesus never relaxes after a victory, as Blackaby was writing this morning too. After feeding the five thousand He went off to pray.
Today keep your mind on things above not on the things going on around you. Keep your faith close to your heart. When you start anticipating the attacks of Satan the luster seems to fade. The anxiety isn't as much. Granted it may mean he will push harder next time. But in the life of a believer, he has to request that attack because we belong to Jesus. Nothing reaches us that hasn't been allowed by Jesus.
What does is meant for good. Regardless of what, He turns whatever evil there is to good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The Bible is replete with examples.
Keep in prayer. Keep finding reasons to thank God for in your day. Keep looking for His hands in your life. Don't give up.
You will find the peace of God when you are obeying God's will in your life. When in prayer, when in praising Him. Dedicate what you do to Him.
In everything give thanks.
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