Proverbs 3:5. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Then came Thursday, and we are all moving along steadfastly, knowing that there is only one day between us and the big day of Friday. And I have this interesting question to pose on that subject. Why do we handle life so much better when we have something to look forward to eh, something that pleases us, or will work on our behalf? We handle Thursday quite nicely, knowing that the next day is Friday, and our weekend pleasures will begin.
But we don’t handle Sunday quite as nicely, definitely not looking forward to Monday, the start of our work week. We often seem to have a grim countenance on Sunday evenings as we prepare for Monday. That is when we do prepare for Monday before Monday morning, (smile) and then have to rush and panic and become frustrated before we enter the crazy milieu with other frantic people hurrying to work.
Is it that expectations of leisure and pleasure boost our spirits so much that we conveniently disregard the difficulties of the moment? And if that’s so, then this next question automatically follows; why then aren’t we conveniently disregarding the problems of this world when we think of all the leisure and pleasure we will have in heaven with Jesus?
Is it because heaven seems like a nebulous place a long way off, and neither do we expect to get there for a long long time? (smile) Or is it that we simply don’t have enough faith in Jesus and all His promises to rebuke the things and images of this evil world? But whatever the reason for our disregard of things heavenly, I want to remind us today that that’s not a very wise approach to life.
Remember Christ said He died for us to have life, and to have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Now that’s not only spiritual or eternal life after we die, but also a good and practical physical life, for heaven doesn’t begin when we die, but when we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour. So, if we don’t accept the many things He offers down here on earth, we are defeating the purpose of His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary.
Yes friends, Christ’s death included much more than atonement for sins and a reserved place in heaven! It includes things like grace, mercy, and unconditional LOVE, through the awesome power and guidance of the Holy Spirit! In other words, help to navigate this cruel and wicked world with a modicum of peace, LOVE and joy that’s otherwise unattainable! Please remember His offers of peace and reassurance in John 14:27, and 16:33. And if we sincerely accept them, then we ought not be afraid or anxious, but joyful and of good cheer.
And yes, it can be tough to do those things when the storms of life seem to be coming against us with full force, but Jesus calmed the physical storm on the Sea of Galilee by simply saying, ‘Peace, be still. ’ (Mark 4:39) So, if He can calm physical storms, there’s no reason whatsoever why He can’t calm the emotional and spiritual ones roiling in our souls. But we have to turn to Him seriously and sincerely, and have even a little faith, like that of a small mustard seed, as Jesus describes it: ‘Which, indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among the herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge (nest) in the branches thereof.’ (Matt. 13:32)
Yes my faithful brethren, that’s how the kingdom of God grows in us – little by little. And unfortunately, that growth is controlled by the difficulties we face in this world, because it’s only through adversity that we can grow in faith. Each difficulty we conquer raises the level of our faith, and helps us to conquer the next one in an easier manner. The sad fact is that that as we grow in faith, so do the complexities of life grow in complexity. (smile) But that’s how we achieve great faith.
And if you read Hebrews 11, that great chapter on the Heroes of Faith, you’ll see that all of them went through tough times before their faith grew strong and great. The important thing that they all did though from the beginning was trust in the Lord and acknowledge His faithfulness, even when it wasn’t yet manifested in their lives. Now that’s what God expects of His followers; a high level of trust in His faithfulness although we haven’t yet experienced it. It’s not easy, but that’s why we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us; to help us achieve that trust.
And these magnificent and wise words penned by Cousin Sol in Proverbs, gives us the perfect formula for achieving it. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (make straight) thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel (body), and marrow (strength) to thy bones. Honour the Lord with thy substance (possessions) and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So that thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses (vats) shall burst out with new wine.’ (Prov. 3:5:10)
Oh my people, if you must choose five verses from the scriptures that reflect the best and wisest way to live for and with God, those are them! You can never go wrong if you follow that wise advice of Cousin Sol. But that’s exactly where so many of us go wrong, we might know the advice, but we don’t take it as seriously as we ought, and thus end up with problems that could have been otherwise avoided.
Anyway, the Lord in His awesome grace, has bestowed on us several tools to do His earthly work. We call them our Thursday Blessings. However, since a blessing is not a blessing until it’s declared out loud, let’s declare them right now nuh, so that they can take effect. Altogether now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline!
I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’
And as always, when God blesses us, He also expects us to use those blessings to bless others in His holy name. So, let’s go out and do that as generously as God did it with us nuh. Much LOVE!
…only through the help and strength of Jesus…can we successfully overcome life’s problems…
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