Shaped for the cross
“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” (NLT) Psalm 34:19
Your challenges for greater heights will be many but He will always be there for you. Amen!!! These are words from a preacher and each time I have the opportunity to think about the Lord and how He deals with His children, I find myself reflecting on these words. They do not only encourage me spiritually but they build my faith in the ever-present and knowing God.
As we journey through this month’s theme, I believe you too have had the opportunity to be encouraged in one way or the other. You may be struggling with something and waiting on the Lord for deliverance but to no avail. Don’t lose hope beloved brethren in the Lord.
The good book says many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers them from all. The year is still young to throw in the towel. Do your best and leave the rest for the Almighty God.
Be in season and out of season with your supplications to him (Philippians 4:6) and find the strength to rejoice in your afflictions for it won’t be long; His deliverance will be meted out (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:4, Psalm 3:8).
His right hand will deliver justice to the oppressed, love to the rejected, favour to the unmerited, and salvation to the lost.
Let us join hands with the early apostles as we work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12); as we give our all to the various ministries chosen. God’s word says “our toil will not be in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
May the sacrifice of God’s son strengthen us from within as He teaches us to put our all in the work of God for the service of mankind; working smartly at everything He has bestowed on us whether according to our dreams or not (Colossians 3:23-24, Ephesians 6:7). God is a generous God and His mercies are forevermore.
No matter where you have gotten to on your journey, no matter your afflictions and troubles, I want you to be encouraged that it is because you have been chosen and shaped for the cross. God bless you now and forever more. Amen!