Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Perseverance”
Our Bible verse for today: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
Our thought for today: “The longer the trial lasts, the more you need the Lord.”
What makes many problems so difficult to deal with is that they are seldom quickly or easily resolved. At least that seems to be the case in my life, and it’s probably true in yours as well. As a difficult problem or trial drags on and on, I tend to do the very things Isaiah tells me not to do, I give-in to fear and discouragement and I start wondering if this is ever going to end.
If fear and discouragement are allowed to take root, I then tend to convince myself that the problem is not going to end – ever! Instead it’s going to continue for days and weeks and months and years and probably on into eternity with my luck! And then I get fearful. I begin to imagine how bad it’s all going to get as it continues to drag on and on.
And then comes a deep-seated sense of dismay. I start feeling (and acting) as if the weight of the world is on my shoulders. (My dog just died, the kids have the flu, the car is on the fritz, my neighbors are mean, and you have no idea how hard it is to be me ….)
The truth however, is that nothing lasts forever. Beyond that, it’s probably not really as bad as I think it is. Plus, Jesus is still on the throne; I am still saved; I can get another dog; the kids will get better; the car will get fixed; and it’s really not any harder being me than it is to be you, or to be anyone else.
The fact is that we all have problems, and God has the answers. Isaiah 41:10 is just one of the Biblical answers to our multitude of life issues.
God says, “Do not fear.” Why should we not fear? “Because I am with you.” That’s right, the God of the universe is with you in this. He is fully aware of your problems and He is all-powerful to help you.
Therefore, “Don’t be dismayed.” He is God and He is with you, and that’s a pretty good reason to hope and trust.
“I will strengthen you and I will uphold you.” That’s the answer right there. Go to God for strength and upholding. The tougher your situation, the more strengthening and upholding you need, and therefore the more you need to be going to God.
The key to persevering, regardless of who you are and what your current situation is, is to bring it to God. And then stay there with God so He can strengthen you, uphold you, give you courage instead of fear, and hope instead of dismay.
The harder the trial and the longer it lasts, the more you need the Lord.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 