Are you facing a situation in your life that looks impossible or hopeless? Jesus said, "...with God all things are possible." Apart from Him, we can do nothing! The apostle Paul, imprisoned in Rome for two years, was facing an impossible situation when he wrote, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory...forever and ever." (Ephesians 3: 20-21) God is able! And He is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think!
Are you fearful concerning your impossible situation? We must put on the armor of God and fight against the wiles and the schemes of the devil! We are told to resist him and stand firm in our faith. For God has not given you the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. Satan wants to kill us, steal from us, and destroy us, but Jesus came that we might have an abundant life...full of joy and not fear. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. "The Lord is my Helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6)
"Out of the Depths"
Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You,
When I am tempted to despair.
Though I might fail to trust Your promises,
You never fail to hear my prayer.
And if You judged my sin
I'd never stand again,
But I see mercy in Your hands.
I will wait for you, my God,
When my fears come with no warning.
In Your Word I'll put my trust,
I will wait, I will wait for You.
The secret mysteries belong to You,
We only know what You reveal.
All my questions that are unresolved,
Don't change the wisdom of Your will.
In every trial and loss,
My hope is in the cross;
Where Your compassions never fail!
Great is His faithfulness! His mercies are new towards us every morning...His love for us never ceases! "The Lord is my portion," says my soul," therefore, I will hope in Him! The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him." (Lamentations 3: 24-25)
In the midst of impossible situations:
1) Fix your eyes upon Jesus - the author and perfecter of your faith. The One who came and died for you - that you might have life, and have it more abundantly. The One who can do far more abundantly than all you can ask...or even think!
2) Pay attention to His Promises - rest in His Word and His truth! God's Word is absolutely true...it stands above any other truth! Jesus prayed for those who believe in Him, "Sanctify them in truth; Your Word is truth." (John 17:17) He told His followers that the truth would set them free, and it would remain. "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever!" (Isaiah 40:8)
3) Rejoice in Him - we must make a deliberate choice. I don't always know or understand the why of trials, but I know what His Word says:
"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:4 & 7)
"Rejoice always...in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thess. 5:16 & 18)
"The joy of the Lord is my strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)
"Count it all joy when you face various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect work work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
In her devotional book on joy, Lydia Brownback says: "It isn't human to rejoice in suffering, it is supernatural. God is glorified not by calling strong women but by giving His strength to weak women. How joyful we could be in times of trouble if our primary focus, our top priority, is what God is doing through it - for us, for others, and for His glory. Each trial is a gift. It's a chance to know God's strength and to show that following Him is worth everything."
My prayer today is that I will find true joy in God...and God alone. That I will make a deliberate choice to rejoice every morning...for it is the day that He has made. That I will remember that He is my Helper in whatever I face! That I would rest in His Word and His promises that will remain forever. That I would know that He is always working for my good and for His glory!
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed." (1 Peter 4:12-13)
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