A Word of Encouragement
You know my friends
sometimes it feels as though we are alone in the daily struggles of life. From
time to time is seems that life gets so hard that we just want to throw in the
towel and just give up. We may even just tell God that enough is enough and
that we can no longer handle all that He is bringing our way daily.
It is during these
times my friends that God is taking us through the fire, guiding us on our journey
to make us stronger. It is during this time that He is truly preparing us for
war just as His Word says in
Ephesians 6:12-18. Let
us look together now what the Words says:
“10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong,
and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you,
well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be
able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon
athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of
hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil
and all his angels.
13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more
than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon
God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on
your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than
words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s
Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this
ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep
your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or
drops out.”
You may be saying to
yourself now that it is easy to just read the Word but believing the Word when
you feel defeated is another story. I agree whole heartedly my friends that it
is so hard at times to stand strong during these times. During these times when
we feel defeated, tired or just feel we can no longer move forward in our
journey, this is when the enemy comes in like a flood to try and destroy us.
Just as He did in
Isaiah 59:15-19, so
shall God do for us who believe. So what did God do you are asking yourself
right now, let us take a look together:
Isaiah 59:15-19
The Message (MSG)
15-19 God looked and saw evil looming on the
horizon—
So
much evil and no sign of Justice.
He couldn’t believe what he saw:
not
a soul around to correct this awful situation.
So he did it himself, took on the work of
Salvation,
fueled by his own Righteousness.
He dressed in Righteousness, put it on like a
suit of armor,
with Salvation on his head like a helmet,
Put on Judgment like an overcoat,
and
threw a cloak of Passion across his shoulders.
He’ll make everyone pay for what they’ve
done:
fury for his foes, just deserts for his enemies.
Even the far-off islands will get paid off in full.
In the west they’ll fear the name of God,
in
the east they’ll fear the glory of God,
For he’ll arrive like a river in flood stage,
whipped to a torrent by the wind of God.
As you can see my
friends our Heavenly Father will see before we see that the enemy of God is
going to come against us and He is ready to fight for us. It is therefore His
will that we do not grow weary but that we walk in FAITH that He will always
make a way. Galatians 6:9 tells us:
“Galatians
6:9
The
Message (MSG)
9-10 So
let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will
harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every
time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the
people closest to us in the community of faith.”
You see my friends, God
loves you and I so much that no matter what we may be facing on a daily basis
He is always there ever waiting to take care of us.
I heard a song when I
was younger that still holds true to my spirit to this very day every time the
enemy comes against me. Every time the enemy of God tries to bring me down I
just pray this song by Twilla Pairs called “The Warrior is a Child”. Sometimes
we just need to take that break and rest under the shadow of the Almighty God’s
wings and be renewed by His spirit. The Word of God tells us not to worry, but
to wait upon the Lord in Isaiah 40:27-31
“Isaiah
40:31
The
Message (MSG)
27-31 Why
would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has
lost track of me.
He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you
know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God
doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He
doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He
energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even
young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those
who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They
spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run
and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.”
So my friends, the next
time you are feeling alone, rejected, tired, and looking for the answers; just
remember we have a Great God who has called us friend. It is God’s desire to
tear down all the traps and chains that are keeping you from fighting the
battles daily in your life. So the next time you feel like you just cannot go
on, you feel defeated or you are just weary; remember God is always there to
give you that extra boost of energy to help you get along on this amazing
journey we call life.
I leave you today with
one final Scripture from the Word of God:
“John 10:10
The Message (MSG)
6-10 Jesus told this simple story, but they
had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit,
then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep
stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the
Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out,
and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came
so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever
dreamed of.”
Father we give you praise
right now and thank you for helping in us in our times of need along this great
journey we call life. Amen
David A. Moorman
