LEARNING DAILY

 

Hebrews 10:35-38, Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  For you have need of endurance so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, and He who is coming will come and not tarry.  Now the just will live by faith; but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

 

It has been another interesting week, hasn’t it!  A hurricane on the Gulf coast continuing on to the east coast and a fire burning out of control on the west coast.  Americans have been left behind in Afghanistan; no amount of spin being put on the way that happened can make it right.  This country has looked weak and our government/military leaders have shown themselves inept.  I see today the president is traveling to see the damage done by Hurricane Ida – after the absolute debacle in Afghanistan and his lack of sympathy when meeting the parents of those killed, do we think there is going to be any confidence in what he says to those left in need by Ida? 

 

As I observe all that is happening around us, I think back over the many times I have heard or read the Christian faith being compared to a race.  It is, in most cases, a race that requires endurance for it occurs over a long time.  My wife and I got saved in 1976; if my math is correct that period of time has not been a sprint but a marathon.  Perhaps it could include the steeplechase as part of the marathon because of all the hurdles we have had to jump. 

 

What we have learned is to place our faith, not in government leaders or any man, in God alone.  There have been so many times I have tried to get God to see something my way, to get Him to provide for a great plan to draw people to Him.  I had plans and they were solid!  It was a hard lesson to finally figure out all these great plans were actually to build me up instead of Him.  He alone knows tomorrow.  He alone knows what the events of this week will do to bring His plans, His desires to fruition. 

 

It has been a race where our faith has been tested over and over and resulted in great spiritual gain for us.  The verses of Hebrews above, remind us to stay firm in our confidence – our confidence in God alone!  They remind us to know God’s will for our lives and to know that the reward for being in His will has great reward!  God’s people must walk in faith.  This is a fundamental principle that governs our relationship to God and our walk of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Persevere in your faith; the promise for doing so is to receive what God promises.  Do not shrink back from faith in God!  With unwavering trust do the will of God in the face of the uncertainty we see all around.  It is that trust that has built up over many years of following Him that gives me the confidence to face the unknown tomorrow brings.  It is faith that provides the assurance to all who Believe that the Lord has all under control – He is on His throne and nothing happening here happens without His knowledge nor His permission; all happens for His honor and His glory.  It is through faith that I look for His return to happen very soon.  I encourage each of you to “endure so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”