Freelance writer and Speaker
‘The Lord will guide you continuously and satisfy your need in parched places and make your bones strong. ‘ Isaiah 58:11
I really liked the bit about making ‘my bones strong’. Like so many people of my age I suffer from thin bones and with medication for five years, my bones are being made stronger. I thank God who gave the medical people their knowledge and all the advances in medical science which is from God.
‘Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thess 5:16-18
This exhorts us to grow spiritually. We know that when children grow they can suffer ‘growing pains.’ Our spiritual growth can be the same. It isn’t easy to rejoice always; We go through sad and troubling times. We are not able to pray continually, although we are asked to. I shamefully admit that in trouble I can try many possible solutions before I pray.
We do not always give thanks, although God has showered us with blessings. Growing spiritually can be a painful business.
‘We also glory in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope and hope does not put us to shame.’ Romans 5:3-4
When I think of the persecuted church, millions are already suffering, really suffering. So although I don’t want suffering, how dare I ask that. If my Christian brothers and sisters suffer, why should not I. I also want perseverance, character and hope. So I have to pray that I may glory in any suffering I may have. So difficult; God’s standards are high.
The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. Tim Keller.
What can I say to this, except ‘thank you.’
‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Hebrews 13:6
Sometimes I need to recall this verse. I can become worried about the state of the country, the state of my life and the state of my health. I think of Stephen being martyred but as he died seeing the promise of eternal life. His enemies were only able to harm his body, not his soul.
It’s just the same with me and you. Physically things can be bad, but ‘the Lord is my helper’ and yours. We do not need to be afraid. We must look up and not around.
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and preserver of our faith.’ Hebrews 12:1
I love this translation using ‘pioneer and preserver.’ That means the beginning and the end; the alpha and omega and everything in between. Especially everything in between. That’s the bit we’re going through now, lasting 60, 70, 80 90 years or more. But the last bit is for eternity.
God has said, ‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.’ Hebrews 13:5
This means even in our darkest moments, especially in our darkest moments. And God’s ‘never’ really is never.
We all know the story of the footsteps in the sand. When life is particularly difficult we notice that there is only one set of footprints. Does this mean God has deserted us? No, it means He is carrying us.
‘You will seek me and find me , when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.’ Jeremiah 29:13-14
I notice that little word ‘all’. Sometimes I’m half-hearted in my seeking of God. When trouble comes my seeking becomes a little more intense. He says ‘I will be found by you.’ So more intensity of seeking needs to be done at all times, good times as well as bad.
‘For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11
We often quote this verse, especially when plans go awry. But look at some of the words – ‘deliver’, ‘hope’ and ‘a future.’ We need nothing more, to be delivered, to have a hope and to have a future.
‘I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me.’ Micah 7:7
Waiting is a problem for us impatient human beings. There are a couple of quotes about it – ‘Hope deferred makes the heart sick’ and ‘Its better to journey than to arrive.’ Like all such sayings, there is some truth in them.
If we are waiting for something, it needs to be worthwhile. Nothing can be more worthwhile than waiting for God. So although it is difficult we need to ‘watch in hope for the Lord.’