Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. — Hebrews 10:35

There are times in life that are hard. They can’t be avoided. The Lord’s salvation and our relationship with him are put to the test at those times. It’s one thing to sing “It is well with my soul” at the end of a peel-the-paint worship service. It’s quite another to be able to sing it when your house is auctioned off on the courthouse steps, you find out you have a long-term illness that makes you weak, or you lose a child to death. If Faith goes on vacation while we’re traveling through the suburbs of hell, we’ll never get out. So don’t get rid of it. Persevere! Keep putting one foot in front of the other and trust that God will give you the strength to take the next step. No matter how hard things are right now, don’t give up and give in to hopelessness. Be like Job or Jeremiah, who argued with and complained to God but never gave up on God. Don’t quit. Christ is coming, either for you with grace or for all time in glory. He is just around the corner.

 

Thought

There are times in life that are hard. They can’t be avoided. The Lord’s salvation and our relationship with him are put to the test at those times. It’s one thing to sing “It is well with my soul” at the end of a peel-the-paint worship service. It’s quite another to be able to sing it when your house is auctioned off on the courthouse steps, you find out you have a long-term illness that makes you weak, or you lose a child to death. If Faith goes on vacation while we’re traveling through the suburbs of hell, we’ll never get out. So don’t get rid of it. Persevere! Keep putting one foot in front of the other and trust that God will give you the strength to take the next step. No matter how hard things are right now, don’t give up and give in to hopelessness. Be like Job or Jeremiah, who argued with and complained to God but never gave up on God. Don’t quit. Christ is coming, either for you with grace or for all time in glory. He is just around the corner.

 

Prayer

Holy and Almighty God, it is a good day. However, I am acutely aware that some of people I love are near to casting away their trust in your love, mercy, grace, peace, and deliverance. Please use me to encourage them. Even more, heavenly Father, I beg that you use your Holy Spirit to renew their hearts. I ask that you act personally to modify the course of events and offer them relief and make your loving presence known to them. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.