Good Advice

Posted on February 14, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

Many have been sold a lie that if they live by moral rules life would be easy, even prosperous. It is true that God provides all things for those who call upon His name…

But easy is never in His vocabulary. David, who is called ‘a man after God’s own heart’, describes life with his God as, “yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil… for your rod and staff comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). And then Jesus tells those who believe in His name, “Do you remember what I told you? ‘A servant is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. Anyone who hates me also hates my Father.” (John 15:20-23)

 

Why does the sovereign God allow this? Because it is the manner in which His glory, a glory that those who believe carry within them, shines out the brightest. God uses the persecution and adversity to refine away the corruption that dims His glory; and it is those who trust Him and persevere through the trials, that He works through to light up the world with His glory.

 

Isaiah gives us good advice so that we do not falter in our faith when faced with adversity. He writes, “Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God. (Isaiah 50:10) Those that make the world their comfort, and their own righteousness their confidence, will certainly meet with bitterness in the end; for they will have set their hopes on what is temporary and limited.  A person who has left God out of their lives; their way may be pleasant for a time, but their end and abode for ever will be in utter darkness.

One whose trust is in God and His Word; their way may be dark for a time, but their end shall be peace and everlasting light in His presence; for “those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

 

Even in the storm you face today, you can be certain God is at work sustaining you; and that sustaining grace will be in a manner that glorifies His name and provides for your every need.

Choose wisely…

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. For my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Psalm 34:8-9; Philippians 4:19)

Praying 4 U

Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.


Think About This: “Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them.” Elisabeth Elliot

The Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 8-12 | You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. –Psalm 7:17

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.

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