Heavenly Father I praise You for teaching me over a long time how to keep my faith, trust, and hope in You solid when doubt attacks with a vengeance. I praise You for examples of people in the Bible who have struggled in this area also. I praise You for a church with Bible studies that help us learn how our faith is and will be challenged. I also praise You for a church that encourages each other to strengthen us to serve You better. Help me today to take command of my morning and shake the evil from it just as You explained to Job long ago.
Holy Spirit I was reminded last night of when John the Baptist was in prison and had doubts and sent his disciples to Jesus. Jesus did not come to him or rescue him from jail but what he did do was remind John of all that He had been doing that fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah. I have found, especially when I was tested at the time I found Philip dead, that only when I took the time to see the whole picture of what Christ has done in my life that I could continue to stand on a faith that had been seriously shaken. As much as I still feel the pain of the loss of Philip and the nightmares of finding him, I also know whom I believe in and that He is able to keep me until it is my time to go to heaven. I also understand better what Isaiah said when told us that God’s ways are way above our ways, His thoughts way above our thoughts, and that we would have to trust Him and believe or walk away. Christ never promised prosperity as far as wealth, fame, or power. What he did promise is He would be with us through the Holy Spirit every breath we take.
He would advocate for us and pray, sing, and watch over us. He told us while here on the earth that we would face trials, tribulations, and hatred from unbelievers, but were to continue to grow in our faith and trust. I think of people like Corrie ten Boom who witnessed her sister’s death, her family’s destruction, and the evil of World War 11 concentration camp. Yet since then she has been able to witness to the world and even to some of her former captors that God’s love is real and more powerful than all the heartache we will endure. I am a broken man and probably will always be broken, but I am not defeated and I serve a God who repairs, heals, and is victorious. I will one day reach heaven, reunite with my son and most of all see Jesus, the one who sacrificed His human life to save mine. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say concerning the Lord, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust: He will rescue you from the bird trap, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with his feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at Your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord—my refuge, the Most High—your dwelling place, no harm will come to you; no plague will come near your tent. For he will give his angels orders concerning you, to protect you in all your ways. They will support you with their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the young lion and the serpent. Because he has his heart set on me, I will deliver him; I will protect him because he knows my name. When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor. I will satisfy him with a long life and show him my salvation. You, O Lord, are my shepherd; I shall not want. You make me lie down in green pastures; You lead me beside still waters and You restore my soul; You lead me in paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Your house forever. Amen. [Matthew 11:28&29; Psalm 91; Psalm 23]