“Blessed is the man who has remained steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, ESV).
The way babies take their first steps has many lessons even for adults how to grow in faith. For every child to start walking begins with taking those faltering steps. In my local language there is a saying that a bull only grows after suffering heavy blows. The child falls. Then rises, quite unfazed, to begin taking those steps, because he has his sights set much higher. Someday he makes it, a bit bruised but only because he never gave up. The struggle becomes worthwhile.
Much so, even the Christian faith, has many faltering steps and obstacles along the way. These could be struggles with beliefs of our faith. There can be personal challenges like loss of a job or failure of a business. A believer may suffer continually from bouts of poor health. Hopes and expectations in people can be dashed. Any believer may face opposition or persecution on account of sharing his faith in the market place.
The believer like the baby who falters must be willing to rise up again and again because he has his sights on a much higher goal. What makes always people give up so soon on any task is when their goals are so much low. But those whose sights are set on something much higher than themselves do persist. The Apostle Paul once encouraged the believers in Corinth by reminding them, “We are hard pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4: 8-9). All thiis because we know there is victory at the end. We keep marching.
Prayer for today: Lord father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, whenever my faith is beset with all manner of challenges may I persevere as my sights are set on a much higher crown, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
