Endure to Overcome!

The scenario in the previous blog entry is certainly a time of testing for a Christian.  The blog ended with the words "Christians must endure...endure!"  Since the time of this blog post, I came across a related point in a book called The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus: What's So Good about the Good News? by the late Peter J. Gomes.  Gomes said, "It is [God's] love that allows us not simply to endure, but to overcome, when our time of testing comes, and it is the constant assurance that God allows us to be" (p. 102).  Gomes tied this into the sermon given by Billy Graham at Washington's National Cathedral on the National Day of Mourning where George Keith's 'powerful old hymn'--"How Firm a Foundation" was quoted:

Fear not, [H]e is with thee; O be not dismayed!
For [H]e is thy God, and will still give thee aid:
He'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by [H] is righteous, omnipotent hand.

You Must Endure...Endure!

Why is it that once you have noticed good deeds in someone or an organization, you pay a compliment, where, initially, the compliment is happily accepted, then, before you know it, things tend to work in a direction to steer the deeds away from good?  It is almost as if once the good deeds are brought to light that the thinking turns in another direction like--we should not be doing things the good way.  Clearly, Satan has acted on the situation and tried to turn a good way into a shameful way of doing things.  There is nothing to be ashamed of in doing good.  Satan is attempting to steer things in his direction.  The Christian walk takes much inner and physical strength.  We must endure in the walk to continue in serving the Lord.  Where there is good the Christian can be certain that Satan is nearby with his schemes.  We must continually be on alert because Satan will try to take a hold on things and try to stop the good.  Christians must endure...endure!

Words and Song for the Weary

If you are weary in your Christian walk, continue to find rest in Jesus because Satan seeks to devour you (I Peter 5:8).  Use your faith to "[q]uench not the [H]oly Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:19) but "...to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16).  The song "All Your Anxiety" is about casting your cares upon God.  Remember, through the power of Christ, you are strong when you are weak (II Corinthians 12: 9, 10).