Ancient Words For Today - 70
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5
When we believe and keep in remembrance that the Lord is our Shepherd who watches over us (Psalm 23), that He is our Provider, supplying all our need according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19) and that He promised He would never leave or forsake us - we have every reason to be joyful, secure, fearless and content as we fulfill His purpose for our lives.
Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:18-19
Imagine how dangerous and beyond their ability this mission must have seemed to the disciples. Jesus, their leader for over three years, had just been crucified. They had been hiding in fear of their lives from the Jewish rulers and the Roman solders because they had been followers of Jesus. And now, as Jesus was about to ascend to Heaven - leaving them behind, He is asking them to go and preach His doctrine to the nations! How could they ever hope to fulfill this mission?
It was vitally important for the disciples to understand that even though Jesus was soon going to ascend to His Heavenly Father, He would always be with them, through the Holy Spirit, to guide them and provide every resource they needed. This included divinely empowering them with the desire, boldness, courage, strength, wisdom, resources and opportunities to be effective witnesses, preaching the gospel of salvation and teaching others the many things Jesus had taught them.
In the same way that Jesus empowered His disciples 2000 years ago, He also empowers believers today to share their faith with others and live according to His teachings. He is able to accomplish this mission in and through our lives because ALL power in heaven and earth is given unto Him!
Dear Lord, help us to remember Your unlimited power and absolute authority over every difficulty, circumstance and obstacle we face. Let this truth and Your love extinguish any fears we may have. Empower us, Lord, to become bold and effective witnesses of Your love and the gospel of salvation, and to live our lives in ways that are pleasing to You. Lord, let this day and each tomorrow of our lives count for eternity. Amen.