Ancient Words For Today - 86
We often become anxious or fearful when facing threatening situations or continuing difficult circumstances that seem beyond our ability to alter, escape from, cope with, or even survive through. It is during such troublesome times that God's Spirit ministers to our spirit, replacing our fears with peace, comfort, strength to persevere, and confidence that He will help us. Peace and comfort come from God as He brings to our mind His promises to provide for all of our needs, to strengthen us and deliver us from and through our trials and tribulations. Reflecting on God's love and good intentions toward us, and considering all the past situations from which He has delivered us, our confidence and faith are deepened that He is able to and will deliver us in our present and future circumstances.
The apostle Paul endured great hardships and strong persecution because of his faith in Christ and his unfailing declaration of the Gospel message. But he also received wonderful blessings and amazing revelations from God. Here is what Paul said about his life experiences:
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily 2 Cor 11:24-28
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me... But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:11-13 & 19
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:10-12
Through his life-threatening ordeals and persecutions Paul learned contentment. His trust in God to deliver him and provide for all his needs was deepened through his adverse experiences. His faith that God would strengthen him to do all things through Jesus Christ was demonstrated by the consistency of his walk, his faithful witness of the Gospel, and his triumph through the deep valleys of his life.
Paul said that all who believe in and follow Jesus, living godly lives, will suffer persecution. So we shouldn't be surprised when persecutions, trials and tribulations befall us. But we can have the same confident hope and assurance of victory that Paul had as we hold fast our faith in Jesus, walk daily with Him, and trust His promises. When we do so - nothing will move us away from our faith or divert us from accomplishing His purpose for our life.
I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:8-11