Go Forth and Shine

Psalm 43:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.

It does not take long to be overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness, if our daily focus is on all the bad news, doom and gloom, and tragedy, that is available to us via all the media, and social media, outlets. When we put our eyes on all the trouble that surrounds us daily, it all grows into this incredible giant that seems to be undefeatable. May I remind us all today that we have a God who is much, much, bigger than any giant we can face here on earth? The psalmist here was pleading to God that He would deliver him from the deceitful and the unjust of an ungodly nation (v. 1). However, he also remembered that his God, who is our God, is the God of our strength. If we want to draw from the strength that can only be found in the Lord, then we need to stay close to, and continue walking close with, Jesus. Whether we like it or not, God has already warned us that the world will get worse as His return draws nearer. If anything, we need to encourage one another more than ever today, and find joy in the fact that all that is happening around us is a clear indication that Jesus' return is near. We need to be reminded, by the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit, that in the end we have the victory, because Jesus will have the final victory. So if today, we are feeling defeated, and hopeless, we need to lift up our heads and turn our eyes upon Jesus. Only then will we find the strength to yet praise Him and receive the health that will brighten our countenance. It is in that state of being that those around us will see that joy, and peace that passes all understanding, that will cause them to see our Christianity, and the Author of it, in the proper light. Let us go forth and let Jesus shine His light, through us, in this dark world, for His glory.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).