Isaiah 35:3-4
Isaiah 35:3-4 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; He will come and save you.
In times of trouble and distress, God is still in charge of those whose lives are surrendered to Him. It is from knowing that God is in control that we find the strength to stand in the midst of hardships. Yes, hard times will come, but those times are not what define us. It is our behavior during those times that define us. Is our faith only active when things are going well? No, our faith should be as constant and consistent as the source of it is; Jesus Christ Himself. Our identity and strength come from Him and that identity is not altered by circumstances. The winds of strife do not destroy the foundation of faith. We have the assurance in Christ that, irrespective of the circumstances, He is always there with us. He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 He knows our makeup; He is aware of our weaknesses and because of those He offers His strength. We do not have to rely on our own resources; we have the strength of the Lord to sustain us. As we learn to rely upon Him we will say with Paul, "Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 We never face the struggles of life alone; we never have to face difficulty, burdens, or pain alone. He is always there; always! David said: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." Psalms 23:4 Today is not a day that you need to feel alone; Jesus is with you; rejoice in the presence of the Lord. In His presence "is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Psalms 16:11 Our eyes are not focused on this world, but upon Him who has overcome the world. As we look away from the problems and toward the One who is the answer, His victory becomes ours.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim