FEAR NOT, STAND FIRM

Whoever said “tough times don’t last but tough people do” must have known a thing or two about persevering through hard times.

Source: Google Images

You may have had every reason to be worried, apprehensive and fearful, you may have had a myriad of excuses to abandon the confidence you had when you started out, you may even have had more than a few opportunities to walk away from what God has called you to do… but praise God…by the grace of God you didn't  you've stayed the course, you've persevered, trusting and holding on to God’s sure Word. Rest assured, you will not be disappointed, your Father is faithful and just.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; - Isaiah 43:1b-3a NKJV

We have not been promised smooth sailing all the way to heaven, notice the Word does not say “if”  but “when” you pass through the waters… And later on Jesus our Lord and Savior made it abundantly clear that in this world we will have tribulation. Here is what He said:

²⁰ …If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also – John 15:20 NKJV

Then the Lord went on to say this:

³³ I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world – John 16:33 CEV

The reason Jesus told us to expect tough times is so that we would not be taken by surprise when trouble comes but be at peace knowing that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. Just the very fact that we live in a fallen world means there are challenges that we will have to face regularly, now add to that the reality that we have an enemy, the devil, who is scheming to devour us and wouldn't hesitate to use anyone and anything to get at us, makes things doubly challenging.

Paul, the apostle was well aware of the fact that believers will, not may, face persecution:

¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, - 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV

So there you have it, if you want to live a godly life as a believer in Christ, persecution is inescapable. Let me hasten to add that we will do well to remember that whatever troubles we face here are temporal and pale in comparison to the glory that is ahead of us and not only that, we face all these troubles from a position of victory in Christ and we do exploits for Him right in the midst of them.

The Good News is we are not left alone, in all these pressures, troubles and persecutions, the Father has promised us His presence, His power and His protection. His presence gives us His peace that passes all understanding as we go through tough times, His power enables us to boldly do all things through Christ as we go through the turbulent rivers of this life and His protection guarantees our safety as we pass through the scorching fires of life. We come out purified and more Christlike in our character, attitude and conduct!    

Source: Google Images

Rest assured, your Abba Father will never leave you nor forsake you. He loves you so much, He gave you His very best, Jesus. He will not withhold any good thing from you, He is right there with you as you go through the waters, the rivers and the fires of life. He who has begun a good work in you is faithful to complete it, He never leaves anything He’s started undone, remember He is the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last, the Author and the Finisher, the Alpha and the Omega and He is your Daddy!

Fix your eyes on Him by holding on to His numerous promises of provision and protection. When He said He will never leave you nor forsake you, He meant it! Whatever comes your way, remember in Christ you are more than a conqueror! Stand firm and be strong in Him!