OUR STRENGTH IN HIM
OUR STRENGTH IS IN HIM
The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. —Psalm 92:12-15
There is so much we do not understand, but we can be content to know our Lord knows all and that we are safe in His hands. The important thing is that we remain faithful to His will even in the worst of times. This is where faith is tested and our faith will be tested.
The Lord tested Israel in a variety of ways to see if they would trust Him (Exodus 20:20; Deuteronomy 8:2; 8:16) and He does the same with us (II Corinthians 2:9; I Peter 4:12) to help us see if we have genuine faith. During the good times it is “easy” to trust the Lord, but what about when things are hard? Do we trust Him then? Failing health is always a time that is hard, but we need to keep our eyes on the bigger picture. Bad health or any other difficult circumstance is only a part of the race our Lord has “marked out for us.” We are to keep “our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12 1-2). Those times of difficulty do have purpose in them. Our Lord works through them.
Recently I had an unplanned vacation stay at a hospital in Syracuse, N.Y. while visiting my daughter’s family. It was obvious why the Lord allowed this to happen. Every single person I spoke with at the hospital was open to the gospel and received New Testaments. The 28 year old gunshot victim that was my roommate was very open to talking about Jesus and knew that our meeting in the hospital was not an accident. Pray for Chris that he would truly follow the Lord.
Well, anyway, after an M.R.I. and E.E.G the medical team concluded that there was nothing serious wrong with me. But we know that sin has affected all of creation which includes our bodies and “things” happen. That is the “nature” of the world we live in. But the Lord is our Rock (Deuteronomy 32:31; II Samuel 22:47; Psalm 18:2; Romans 9:33; I Corinthians 10:4) and we who rest on Him will never be moved. We are safe and secure in Him!
As we abide in Him (John 15) we well bear fruit even in old age and declare His praises until we draw our last breath! (I Peter 2:9). Then, and only then, will our “race” be over. So keep running, keep declaring His praises, and let others know of our Rock! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsQmsEE_2-s&list=UUf1NPIFOBwzTLVQiEDnq4Cw&index=7
Dear Father, I am so grateful for Your faithfulness in any and every situation. My joy abounds in knowing you can be fully trusted and that You are working out Your plans and purposes. Oh, be pleased to draw each person to Yourself that You gave opportunity to speak with at the hospital. May this be so for Your glory and in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus. So be it!