Difficult seasons may cause us to feel like we are drowning amidst the wave of challenges and the difficult emotions that are associated with it. Jesus’s reflections in John was that we would be hated and at times overwhelmed by the world. “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). He prayed for us about our time on this earth and made petitions to the father to keep us safe. The trials and difficulties are sure to come, but being in relationship with God means that he will keep us amidst the trials.
Isaiah’s writings were of God’s encouragement to Jacob to be of good courage. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.” The waters will come but we serve a God that defies gravity and has walked upon the waters. Our hope is that if we keep our eyes fixed on him, that he will keep us afloat. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). When we serve God we do not simply cope or get by, but we will conquer. We are here to dominate and take territories for God.
Staying close to God helps us to stay on top of our battles and circumstances. The trials may seem many at times and we are not ignorant of the fact that we are hated by the prince of the world. We have been given weapons of war and strategies to overcome the evil one. “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).
There are seasons of intensity when we have to seek God and stay in his presence. Some situations require us to increase our times of prayer and intercession. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). No one shows up for a battle empty handed and we are deceiving ourselves if we have not yet acknowledged that we are in a battle.
Our time in prayer and intercession helps us to stay close to God as we approach him boldly to help us in times of need. Our worship is a weapon and we fight our battles through praise and thanksgiving. The darts maybe aimed at us but God is our shield. God is our present help in times of trouble. There are trials that we experience as believers that has strengthened our faith. Some of the same experiences have sent other people into depression and anxiety. It is the Lord’s grace why we have not been consumed.
“And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king’s counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them” (Daniel 3:27).
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 