Endure on, Jesus is With You

“My soul longs, yes, even faints.  For the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” Psalms 84:2 - “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,” Colossians 3:23 “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” Revalation 2:3-4

My heart is confused right now, as I am sure many people could say similar things.  I know that in the future the things I worry about now will be solved and God will have His name lifted high.  I also know there are some solid steps that can be taken to proceed, but currently I don’t really want to take them.  Taking the steps to move forward is walking into unknown territory, and walking away from the familiar.  There are many things I want to change about the current times, but I have come to understand the daily tension and have developed coping mechanisms to deal with it. I hesitate to take these steps forward because I do not know what tomorrow brings.

    As always we get our guidance of Jesus, our constant example. 

    Take time away – We don’t have to stay in public view constantly.  Jesus would withdraw to pray (Matthew 26:36), he took time to rest (Matthew 8:24), and would seek refuge with his friends (John 12:2).  God gives us friends and neighbors for the hard times in life. 

    Realize we’re not alone – Jesus turned to God first in his prayers, then He spoke with his disciples, even to let them know his feelings.  Since we are all experiencing this change together, we must seek solace for ourselves, while simultaneously being there for one another.  Let us be faithful to encourage one another to good works and deeds. (Hebrews 10:24).

     Look to God for strength – While Jesus prayed for his path to change, he trusted God’s plan and direction.  Jesus had known the plan of salvation from the beginning of time and man’s fall.  Yet as the time approached He had fear to the point his body’s tension excreted blood.  Once Jesus made his supplication, He followed the Father’s will perfectly.  God has given us His promises and His commission for our service.  Those haven’t changed, and can be the solid foundation for security and strength. 

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

Habakkuk 3:16a, 18-19  I heard and my heart pounded, my lips quivered at the sound; decay crept into my bones, and my legs trembled. … yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.