Jesus promises in Jude 1:24 (AMPLIFIED VERSION)
“24 …..to keep us without stumbling or slipping or falling,
and to present [us] unblemished (blameless and faultless) before the presence
of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with unspeakable, ecstatic
delight OR JOY]—every time, He presents Himself a very present help in the time
of need.”
Isn’t that so true of our Savior? When difficulty, distress and discomforting
circumstances try to distract us, we can encourage ourselves in the Lord knowing
HE is an ever present help in the time of need- if we place OUR trust upon Him.
When we acknowledge the Lord in ALL of our ways, we rise
above our circumstances, and we can find comfort during the daily deficits that
happen in life. In order for us to reign
on a regular basis, though, our circumstances cannot and should never become or
be our focal point. When we find ourselves succumbing to our problems…we should call
on the Lord, and when we do; He is faithful to raise us up! - everyday in
every way!
In Matthew 14, there is an account when Peter steps out of
the boat, walking on the water to Jesus.
As Peter gazes upon Jesus, he weightlessly walks upon the
waves of His situations. On the contrary, when the tide of
turmoil takes over he becomes terrified of his circumstances
as his attention shifts, and he submerges under the ginormous waves of adversity. Instantly, upon wailing out to Jesus, Jesus answers.
Rescued back inside the vessel, the swirling threat ceases, and
"those in the boat worship Him and say, "Truly You are the Son of
God." (Verse 30-33)
How we cope with difficulty affects, not only us, but those
around us! Who is in the ‘ship’ or better yet, fellow-'ship' with us? How are we
responding? Are we people who are reactive to our circumstances at a moment’s
notice of discomfort, or are we proactive looking to the Lord, while looking for ways of pointing others to
the Lord?
I am convinced that the validity of our testimony is most
effective with those nearest to us. My
prayer is that my spouse, my children, and my children’s children witness the
distinction Jesus creates in my life, specifically when situations are not
so secure….. “Lord, be my STRENGTH!”
May the Lord’s hand speak louder than our own hand in any given
matter! And may the focus be our faith ON the Lord, versus our faith in fears
and frailty!
Purposed today in every way to keep
my Mind clear, and my Heart given over to our Ever-Trustworthy Lord!
