Let these verses encourage you today:
John 16:33—I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Doesn’t it seem like every time you scroll through the news on your phone or turn it on your T.V. at night, you’re surprised at how wonderfully things are going in our world? I mean, could things get any better than they are right now? YES! The answer is a resounding YES! When it feels like everything around us is coming apart at the seams and our world starts up another dumpster fire before the last one is fully out, I remember the God I serve has already overcome this world. He’s already won.
Deuteronomy 31:6—Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Most of us have at least some idea of what abandonment feels like. Whether it is someone we trusted who pulled a no-show or, worse, someone we loved walked out on us. It’s the kind of thing that instills insecurity and breeds weakness. But God promises never to forsake us. Never leave us hanging. Never abandon. With that kind of assurance, combined with the power of the One making the promise, we can be strong and courageous. God’s presence, which will never leave us, drives out fear.
Proverbs 3:5-6—Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Straight paths, isn’t that what we all long for and dream of? I guess I can’t really speak for you, but during most of my difficult situations, the thing I want most is to know with absolute certainty what the right thing is. When I’m all flustered from trying to figure things out, this verse reminds me that it’s best if I do not lean so hard on my own understanding. The simple solution is to trust God and His Word. If I will just do what the Bible says, my winding paths will start to line up in a much straighter fashion.
1 Corinthians 10:13—No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
We’ve never met. At least, I don’t think we have. But if you spent any time at all with me, you’d be surprised at how often I can get myself into trouble. It’s almost as if I intentionally try to mess things up. But as chaos inevitably finds me, I know there is always a way out, the way of escape. Regardless of the sort of temptation I gravitate towards, there is always an option of walking (maybe running) away. God always provides a way.
Psalm 16:8—I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Walking into danger alone can be a daunting task. But that same danger doesn’t seem so debilitating if we have a trusted buddy with us. If the buddy is 6’5″ and full of muscle, we almost go looking for danger. Try to stir things up. Because our world is a sin-stained place and we no longer belong to it, danger is unavoidable. But we don’t face it alone. God, Who is everywhere at all times (omnipresent), always goes before me—to take on the brunt of the difficulty I face. He also stands at my right hand—to support me, and carry me through the most challenging parts. Because of Him, nothing can shake me.
Proverbs 22:6—Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Even on my best days as a dad, I tend to lay my head down on my pillow and think, I could have done more. My worry for my kids isn’t so much for today but for the days to come. The days I’m not around to correct them before they make a poor choice. Day’s when I’m not close enough to step in and protect them when they need it. It can be tough to know if I’ve done enough to prepare them for the difficulties of this world. Then there’s this verse. Trusting in what God has promised in Proverbs 22:6 helps me sleep at night.Â
Galatians 6:9—And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Does it ever feel like nothing you do is ever good enough? You try, and you try, but you can’t point to one significant difference you’ve made at the end of the day. Sure, you want to do the right thing. You even strive with all you have to do the right thing. But the lack of change is enough to make you want to give up. Honestly, why should you keep going? Because the harvest isn’t ready yet. We don’t give up or tire of doing good because reaping season is on the way. We just have to keep going.
Are you looking for some weekly encouragement from Scripture?
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