(a follow up from last article)
It is true that our struggles sometimes seem more than we can bear, but it is of utmost urgency that we remember; during our struggles that God cherishes our faithfulness.
If you had been Job, what would you have done? You lose all of your precious children; you lose your wealth; you are struck down with severe illness; and you have a spouse who is telling you to just die and get it over with. What would you do? It would be very easy for us to just sit back and start blaming God, wouldn’t it?
What did Job do? Scripture tells us that he fell to the ground and worshiped God. He held on to his faith – even in the wake of great calamity and despair. When we go through the tough times in our lives, we must also be faithful and keep our trust in God.
In Hebrews 11:6, it says, ‘Without faith, it is impossible to please God.’
It is so easy for us to give up when we don’t see quick results. In Revelation chapter 2, we are even told to be faithful “even to the point of death.”
An old preacher was faithful unto death. He found out he had cancer and was quickly dying from it. I want to read to you what he said in his last sermon.
“Some of you have asked me if I am mad at God for this disease. I have nothing but love in my heart for my Father. He didn’t do this to me. We live in a sinful world where sickness and death are the curse that mankind brought upon himself. “For years, I have taught how my Savior suffered and died. Am I better than Him, that I should ask not to suffer? I am glad to suffer if it means going home to Jesus. Please don’t feel sorry for me, but rejoice with me.” Then, in old and broken voice, he began to recite a poem, ‘Must Jesus bear the cross alone – while all the world goes free? No, there’s a cross for everyone – and there’s a cross for me. How happy the saints above – who once went sorrowing here But now they taste unmingled love – and joy without a tear. That consecrated cross I’ll bear – till death shall set me free, And then go home, my crown to wear – for there is a crown for me.’
Those were his last words from the pulpit that he loved so much. He slipped into a coma shortly after church that morning, and passed over the Jordan a few days later.
This old preacher left an example of what true faith looks like and how it works. The faith, that no matter what the problem, no matter how much the burden, it will pull us through and keep us whole in Christ.
And so let us remember that we will suffer many times between today, and the day we cross the Jordan. During our storms, let us remember that:
• God is walking beside us, even when we can’t see Him
• God’s timing is perfect, even if it seems that He is slow
• During the worst of storms, God cherishes our faithfulness
Some of you might remember a family of tightrope walkers. They were billed as ‘the Flying Wallendas.’ One of their special stunts was to use members of their family to make a four level pyramid - high atop a platform that they would then cross the tightrope with. They performed this stunt for several years.
But one night, about ¾ the way across, one of the young men of the family was on the bottom row of the pyramid and he yelled out, “I cannot hold any longer.” And with that, his knee buckled and the entire family fell the pavement below. Many were crippled for life and one died. All because the pressure was so much on one person that his entire world around him collapsed.
Have you ever felt like you were under such a great pressure that your world could collapse at any moment? Whether it be the pressures of school, a job, family pressures, or anything else, those are the moments when to cry out, “I can’t do this any more! Lord, I can’t do it without you!”
During the stress of our storms, it is of crucial that we remember what Jesus told us in
Mathew 11:28 ‘Come to Me, all you who are weary and, burdened, and I will give you rest.’
In His Grip,
-Jon
