September 10
Happy Monday Everyone,
 
The scripture for today is Jeremiah 17:14
 
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for you are my praise.
 
The prophet Jeremiah in the midst of persecution by enemies cries out to God. His cry is not a cry of fear, but a cry of faith. Like Jeremiah, in the face of opposition and persecution, the response of the child of God is never a fearful one; it is a response of faith. Faith looks beyond opposition and persecution to a God who is greater than either. The apostle Paul gives us this perspective, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31 The child of God lovingly clings to the promises of God and is not intimidated by circumstances. How can he be when he is holding on to Jesus?
    
Any situation that God allows to come into our lives is there to bring us closer to Him and make us more useful in ministry to others. As strange as it might sound, we often need to experience hardships, persecution and opposition. They are there to make us stronger. As we exercise our "spiritual muscles" we become stronger and our trust in God deepens as we see Him answer prayer and provide a way out of no way. When Jesus rose from the grave He said, "all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." Matthew 28:18 The power of Satan has been broken over the life of the child of God and only what God allows happens to His children who walk by faith and not by sight; and if God allows it, it will work together for our good.
    
Whatever we need God is able to supply. Therefore, our confidence is in God; He is our source of deliverance. The realization of this truth fills our hearts with a distinct joy. Our daily prayer is "Father, heal us and save us, for our confidence is in You." We will confess in the midst of the darkness of this present age, "You are my praise." 
 
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim