As the year comes to a rapid close, I’ve been challenged to stand fast to the theme of continuing to fight. The idea for this devotional was originally born from my personal journal of the events of my faith walk. Three plus years later I find it appropriate to look back and reflect on some of those entries. This time period has taught me three lessons this year that I pray will be a blessing to you.
Lesson #1 – Stand Fast to God’s Word
Earlier in the year I wrote the following:
A new month to experience the mercies of God for great is his faithfulness toward us. Walking through this day, week and month we must remember that God hasn’t forgotten us nor the plan and purpose he has for the seeds of faith that we've planted. We can truly trust and hold on to what he says as it is a real thing. God is not a man, that he should lay, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19 The LORD Almighty has sworn, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back? Isaiah 14:24,27 I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. Psalm 89:34
The scripture says that man shall not live by bread alone but from every word that comes from the mouth of God. I have learned through experience after experience to wait for—crave even—the rhema word of God. His inspiring, live-giving word that is able to save my soul from despair and depression.
Lesson #2 – Stay in God’s Word
A subsequent entry for this year read:
LESSON FOR TODAY AND ALL TIME>>>>>Stay in the Word of God…it is the truth that we need to survive. But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:32-39
These Jews that were being written to in the book of Hebrews went through tons more suffering than most modern day believers will ever experience. Their lives of suffering and endurance serve as models for folks like myself that believe coming up the rough side of the mountain is having one car instead of two. These witnesses for Christ were more often than not slain for their faith—something I will most likely never experience. I thank God that I can openly and freely praise my God in the best country in the world. I can read my bible in public places and even share my faith there. I am truly blessed.
Lesson #3 – Stay in Remembrance of God’s Covenant
Yet another 2009 entry read:
Today, my joy comes in the fact that on May 8,2004God gave our household a covenant. A set of 10 instructions/exhortations/admonishments from scripture that he would fulfill in my lineage. The word yesterday came so that I would hold on to that realizing that there is something “greater” in my loins. We must keep the faith for the greatness that lies ahead. Just as Abraham knew and trusted that greatness was in his loins. Satan will have it so that I become so distracted by things at work, finances, etc. that I can’t focus…
This remains the challenge I face on most days—seeing through the distractions. But my God is faithful and because of this I have a posture of humility and gratitude for his endless measure of grace. This will carry me through 2010 and years beyond because it is in line with an unfailing proof—that God can never fail.
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him. Job 13:15