Trust Him a Little Longer

Posted on August 22, 2018 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

The children in Sunday school probably have it right. We chuckle that no matter the question, their answer is “Jesus.”  It’s the safest answer.  But maybe we can learn a lesson from our young ones.  If perhaps we realized that the answer to life’s questions usually IS Jesus we may make more progress in our spiritual journeys.

What self-imposed ways do we try to control our flesh? The ways may not be bad things in and of themselves unless we are trusting in our self-effort rather than in Christ to overcome sin, temptation, and our flesh.

 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:8

When we fall again to temptation, one of our responses may be to assure ourselves that we will do better next time.  It makes us feel better but it does not require Jesus to be anywhere in the picture. In my experience, we don’t do better the next time, or the next, or the time after that.

What traditions of man do we rely on that are powered by self-effort, self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, and self-justification?

Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:20-23

The answer to the battle against our flesh really is Jesus.  Run to Jesus and trust Him to fulfill that longing of your heart that the temptation is crying out to.  And after you take your initial fledgling steps toward Him, keep running towards Him and trust Him a little longer.

I find that after a few initial steps in the right direction the temptation doesn’t just pack a bag and go home. No it follows me, calling my name telling me, “I’m not so bad.” The only way we will experience victory over temptation is if we keep trusting Jesus to meet us in our need, and keep trusting Him a little longer.

See, our kids are right. The answer really is Jesus.  When temptation comes, run to Christ and keep running to Him until you feel His warm embrace.  Persevere and trust Him a little longer.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and provides ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.

The Daily Bible Reading: Jeremiah 46-48| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “Let this be thy whole Endeavour, this thy prayer, this thy desire, that thou mayest be stripped of all selfishness, and with entire simplicity follow Jesus only.”– Thomas a Kempis

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off. ~Proverbs 23:18