Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Loving God And Trusting God - a Christian's Successful Living Depends Upon Both



Because you have kept My command to persevere… —Revelation 3:10

{CHAMBERS} “Perseverance means more than endurance— more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” […] Entrust yourself to God’s hands. Is there something in your life for which you need perseverance right now? Maintain your intimate relationship with Jesus Christ through the perseverance of faith. Proclaim as Job did, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15). Faith is not some weak and pitiful emotion, but is strong and vigorous confidence built on the fact that God is holy love[…] Disaster occurs in your life when you lack the mental composure that comes from establishing yourself on the eternal truth that God is holy love. Faith is the supreme effort of your life— throwing yourself with abandon and total confidence upon God.”

{ELGIN} There is a building supply store in Jacmel, Haiti on the road to Cayes Jacmel named Perseverance. Seems like an odd name for a store, but there are many stores with Biblical references … Mesi Jezi (Thankyou Jesus) Autoparts to name another.  Each time I drove past that store, which was at least twice a day, I would be reminded to persevere in my faith.  We need to be reminded because our propensity – our tendency – is to wander and turn back to depend upon what we can feel, see, smell, and well, do ourselves.  Proverbs 16:9 says “Men make plans in their hearts, but God orders their steps.” Most of the things that we worry about do not lead to death .. although some do.  But no matter – we must put our faith in God – not our circumstances or our own abilities.  Life’s challenges are very often bigger than we are.  Living a life of faith requires that we keep our focus – our confidence – our hope in God.  I have posted 1680 devotions since I started this … and a good number of them included the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6. “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. I all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”  That about says it all … that coupled with Matthew 22:37-38 “Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength.”  Love God more than your own life.  Trust God’s wisdom more than your own wisdom.  Seek God’s plan and follow it.  Be willing to abandon your own. Pretty simple but pretty hard – impossible without total surrender.

“All to Jesus I surrender.  All to Him I freely give.  I will ever love and trust Him.  In His presence daily live.  I surrender all.  I surrender all.  All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.”

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