God Our Refuge - Closet Reflections: August 2023

Thursday, August 31, 2023

United At All Levels

I John 2:13-14 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

Today's verses are a good reminder that in the body of Christ there are different levels of maturity amongst believers, and that everyone is in a different place based on how much time we spend in prayer and truly living out God's Word. There are those who have known the Lord for a long time, are prayer warriors, and students of the Scriptures. There are those who are not as seasoned, but are warriors for the Lord, praying, studying, and sharing the Gospel in the face of persecution. Then there are those who are new Christians and babes in Christ. All of these are not necessarily old or young in age, although in some instance it might be the case. Nonetheless, in light of loving one another, this should make us careful about how we deal with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. We must be patient with those who are not as mature, and be willing to disciple and mentor them. We must be willing to also be humble enough to recognize that we need to be mentored, and not behave as if we know all there is to know about God and His Word. The bottom line is that we are called to come alongside one another and support and learn from one another, as the Lord gives opportunity. Those are the moments when relationships will be formed and nurtured. Those are the moments when the world will see the love and unity the Lord wants us to demonstrate. In Christ, we have overcome the world and the devils. Let us live as if we truly believe that, in unity and in love, to the glory of God.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 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 His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).

Sunday, August 27, 2023

For His Name's Sake

I John 2:9-12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.

Satan's downfall was his pride. The Bible warns that pride comes before destruction, and before a fall. Far too often, we as believers, become prideful in our Christian walk. Therefore, we need to be reminded often that our salvation and forgiveness was not granted to us because we deserve it. If we got what we deserved, we'd perish for eternity. However, because we have a God who loves us, He gave us His Son and gives us what we don't deserve, for His Name's sake. In the Book of Ezekiel, God promised that one day He would restore Israel and put His Spirit in them and give them a new heart. He told them that He would do this, not for their sake, but for His Name's sake. Today, let us be thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ Jesus. Let us remember that the forgiveness we received when we repented, confessed our sins, and called upon the Name of Jesus, is available to ALL who call upon His Name. We must not let the fact that we are saved and heaven-bound make us look down on others and think more of ourselves than we should. God did not forgive us and save us because we derserve it. No, praise God that He did it for His Name's sake.

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Our Love and His Light

I John 2:9-11 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The Apostle John challenges the genuineness of our relationship with Jesus by pointing out that there should be clear evidences of our faith at work in both our relationship with the Lord and our brethren. We cannot claim that we know and love Jesus while walking in sinful darkness, and we cannot claim that we walk in the light of Jesus and hate our brothers and sisters in Christ. John speaks much about our love for one another. Jesus Himself told us that the world will know we belong to Him by the way we love one another. Is it always easy? No, it is not. Because in order to truly love one another it will take supernatural love, which is only possible if Jesus is truly Savior and Lord of our lives. It means that we will need the strength to forgive each other, since not one of us is perfect and will most certainly fall short and offend one another. It means that we will encounter brothers and sisters that we may not like, but we are commanded to love. In this letter John makes a very important point, in chapter 4, verses 20-21. They read as follows: If someone says, "'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." Our love for one another is part of our evidence that we belong to Jesus and are walking in His light.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Do We Really Know Him?

I John 2:3-6 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Many of us claim that we know Jesus. Do we really know Him or do we just know about Him? The Apostle John pulls no punches about what it means to know God. The word "know" means to have intimacy with the Lord. The word is used as a Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse between a man and a woman. It implies that when we say that we know God what we are saying is that we love God. John says that if this is so, then it will be made obvious by our obedience to God's commands. Jesus plainly told us that if we love Him, we'll obey His commands. The Bible, in these verses is clear that if we say we know, or love, God and keep not His Word, we are liars and the truth is not in us. Can the Lord communicate this any clearer than that? Sadly, we are very quick to claim that we know and love Jesus before stopping to consider if we really know Him. To know Him is to walk in obedience to His commands. It means that we are not just hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word. The only way to know Him is to obey Him, and as we walk in His truth He will reveal Himself. As He reveals Himself, our love for Him and others will be manifest and our lives will glorify Him. We are either living as liars or walking in truth. So, I ask again, "Do we really know Jesus or do we just know about Him?" If we claim to know Him (and love Him), is it evident by the way we live for Him? Do we walk as He walked, in obedience to the will of the Father?

Monday, August 21, 2023

Don't Believe Everything You Hear

Acts 17:10-12 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.

I cannot stress enough the importance of being critical listeners and thinkers, when hearing God's Word preached and taught. However, listening and thinking is not enough. We must also be born again believers who follow up with action. I don't just mean being doers of the Word. I mean truly investigating what we hear before we follow a path paved with false teachings, heresies, and demonic lies. Far too many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are shipwrecking their faith because of a lack of biblical knowledge. We know that the Scriptures were given to us by God Himself. He used godly men to pen His Words. We know that ALL Scripture is profitable. It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. But before we can live it out, in obedience, for God's glory, we MUST know what it says; and not simply and blindly trust what others tell us. We need to be true students of God's Word so that we are not tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine. The Bereans were commended for their wise choice to double check and verify what the Apostle Paul taught them. As a matter of fact, they were commended even more than the believers at Thessalonica. Paul commended those believers because they received the Word with much affliction, with joy, and proclaimed it forward, becoming an example in Macedonia and Achaia. Yet, the Bereans were identified as being "more fair-minded" than those in Thessolanica. When we fail to study for ourselves, and verify what we hear, we stand the chance that we ourselves will pass on false teachings and heresies; making us no better than false teachers. Let us be students of the Word, who dissect it, dig into it in the power of the Holy Spirit, being people who are approved, acceptable, and pleasing to God. Our goal is not to impress men and women with how much we know, or think we know. Our goal is to know and live God's truth for His glory; so that we live a life of real intimacy with God, truly knowing Him for who He tells us He is.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Time To Move On

I John 1:8-2:2 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

I often run into people who have been made to feel like being a Christian means that we are supposed to be perfect and live a perfect life. They carry this overwhelming burden of guilt because some well-meaning, or self-righteous, Christian made them feel like they were a total failure because they were struggling with some sin in their life. I have often brought them to these wonderful verses that John wrote reminding us all that just because we are born again saints, it doesn't mean we still won't struggle with sin. We will still battle with our flesh, the devils, and this world system we live in. So today I would like to remind us all of a few things. First, if we have called upon, and accepted, Jesus as our Savior, we are forgiven of all sins; past, present, and future. Jesus paid the price for us completely. Romans 8:1 tells us that for those of us who are in Christ, there is no condemnation... None! Secondly, the Apostle wrote these words to the church, not the unsaved. In other words, if we say we have no sin we are not only deceived, but we also call God a liar. God forbid! Lastly, John wants us to remember and be comforted by the fact that when we sin, in Christ we have someone who goes before the Father on our behalf; who then grants us forgiveness and cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness. Why? Because it's not about our righteousness, but about Jesus' righteousness that had been imputed on us. God accepted us because of Jesus sacrifice, not because of anything we have done. The bottom line is that we are called to live a life that is separated unto God, in Christ. We are to live a life of obedience to God's Word, and by faith. However, there will be days when we stumble. When we do, let us turn to the One who already redeemed us, but continues to forgive us, deliver us, and save us. Our salvation is sure and irrevocable, and God's forgiveness is eternal. Let us not allow the devils, or those they are using, to convince us to take up the burdens that were already nailed to the cross at Calvary. We must simply turn to Jesus in repentance and confession and believe that we are forgiven. It's time to move on and move forward.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

With Eyes of Faith

Hebrews 11:13-16 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Today's verses are a wonderful reminder that we serve a God who is faithful to keep His promises. God made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that they never saw physically fulfilled while they were still alive, here on earth. However, this never discouraged them from believing the Lord, and instead saw these promises fulfilled with eyes of faith. What was the affect on their lives when they believed God by faith? It caused them to live out their lives on earth with the realization that this place was not their home. I would like to remind us all right now that as born again believers our home is Heaven, with Jesus. That means that we should be living life here as pilgrims and strangers also. The things of Heaven should be what are priorities in our lives, as we look forward by faith to the promises of God. The Apostle Paul put it this way in Colossians 3:1-4, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." Are we living for this world and what it offers or are we living for the Lord, seeking the things of Heaven, and looking forward to the unfailing promises of God, with eyes of faith?

Monday, August 14, 2023

So...How's Your Walk?

I John 1:5-7 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

God is light...He is pure, He is truth, He is love. He is the One who lights our way so that we can see the path He wants us to walk, and how to walk it. Because Jesus is our measure, not man, we can determine whether we are truly walking with God or being a pretender. If we are walking with Him, then we are doing all we can to know the truth (God's truth), and live the truth, by obedience to His Word; for His Word is truth. If we are walking with Him, then we are living life in accordance with the morals outlined in Scripture, and not according to what's acceptable in the world. If we are walking with Jesus, then we are walking in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and loving one another, as He loved us. That means loving sacrificially, and even loving our enemies. We cannot hate our brother, who we can see, and who is made in God's image and then claim that we love Jesus. The bottom line is that we cannot practice works of darkness, and live like the world, and at the same time claim that we love God and walk with Him. When we accept and profess Jesus as Savior, we are saying that we have drawn the line and have now been set apart for God's purposes. We are saying that we will do all we can to walk with Him, in His ways. So..."How's your walk?"

Saturday, August 12, 2023

Leave It To The Only Judge

Romans 2:1-3 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?

Here is a sad truth for us to ponder. The accusation the Apostle Paul makes here is common in the world of the unsaved; people being judgmental and critical toward others for their sinful behavior, when they too practice the same. What is also sad is that this is also true of many who profess being followers of Jesus. We are judgmental and critical of others, and use the stumblings of our brethren as opportunities to make ourselves feel better about our own sinfulness. Oh, and did I mention that we also use these moments as opportunities to feast on tender morsels of gossip that we gladly share with others? For the unsaved, the tragic truth is that they are on the path to God's judgment, eternal separation from God, and eternal punishment in Hell and the Lake of Fire. The only remedy and escape from God's wrath is salvation that is found only in Christ, by God's grace. For you and me, there is no condemnation for us in Jesus, but there will be loss of heavenly reward. What is our remedy? It is repentance, getting right with the Lord and our brethren. Confess our own sinfulness, and rather than be judgmental toward other believers, first remove the plank sticking out of our own eye, before trying to remove the splinter from our brother's eye. Instead of being self-righteous and critical, we can practice what we are told in Galatians 6 and take inventory of ourselves, and in humility go and restore those who stumble. How do we honor the Lord by being judgmental toward others, when the only difference between them and us is that our "pet" sin is different than theirs? Let us encourage and do what we can to restore one another, and leave the judging to the only Judge, Jesus our Lord and King; for a time is coming soon when we all must give an account.

Friday, August 11, 2023

Because It Honors God

Ephesians 6:2-3 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Today's New Testament verses are verses that are repeated from the Old Testament verses in Exodus 20:12. A reminder that ALL Scripture was God-breathed, and ALL Scripture is profitable. A reminder that our God has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today, and always. This command, like many others, is not the easiest to keep. As children, many of us looked up to our parents. Yet, as we grew older we may not have viewed our parents as being as "smart" as we thought they were. For some, we grew up in less than favorable environments, and may have even had little to no love for our fathers or mothers. Yet, God did not include a condition in His command that allows for its disobedience. He did not tell us to only honor fathers and mothers who always made the right decisions or always treated us fairly. He did not tell us to only honor those parents that did all the right things in raising us. He didn't even tell us to only honor those parents who were always there for us. That, my friends, can be a very tough pill to swallow. Some of us did not grow up with our fathers, or even our mothers, at home. They may have done the best they could, under their circumstances, and may have been far from perfect; but in many cases their love was undoubtable. The bottom line is that we could find plenty of excuses to choose not to honor either one of our parents, but we must realize, and acknowledge, that they were just as imperfect as we are, now that we too are adults and may have made some of our own mistakes as parents; and if we think we haven't, hold on, it's coming. They, like us, had to deal with the demons in their lives, and sometimes they made sinful decisions that would have long lasting consequences for them and for us as well. However, when it is all said and done, the one thing we can say for sure, because of God's grace in our own lives, is that we must always honor both our fathers and mothers for as long as we have breath; not because they always deserved it, but because God commands it, and because that is what honors God.

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Which Was More Important?

Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I had the opportunity this morning to pick someone up and drive them to their appointment. I arrived early and waited. Shortly thereafter I recieved a call, from that party, apologizing because she was running late. As we were en route she again apologized and explained that the reason she was late was because she had trouble choosing what she should wear and had to change her original choice of outfit. That got me thinking about how often we, as born again believers, put more importance and emphasis on what we are going to wear physically than what we need to put on spiritually; the spiritual armor God has given us. In the case of my indecisive passenger, she was concerned about wearing something that would fit just right and look good on her. The spiritual armor we have been given is not about us looking good, but about helping us live out a day that will bring honor and glory to the Lord and help us represent Him in a way that exalts Him in our life. Our spiritual armor helps us to recognize who our real enemy is. Especially, when we encounter people who come across as our enemies, when in reality they are people we are supposed to show the love of Jesus to, and share the Good News with. Every day that we are in this world we are going to face situations that will test our faith, cause us to be distracted, and even cause us to lash out at people we should be sharing Christ with. The enemies, the devils, do not want us to recognize that they are working to keep us from living out God's will and plan for our lives. So, let me ask this, "Did we take more time to figure out what we were going to wear physically, or was putting on God's Armor more of a priority today?"

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Don't Be Led Astray

II Peter 3:14-18 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Once again, I want to caution us to be very careful. Careful about what you ask? Careful about being in God's Word, and careful about how we study it and apply it. We are called to be students of the Bible. We are to memorize it and be doers, not just hearers. Sadly, today we have many who are tossed about by every wind of doctrine because there is a lack of study and lack of desire to be in God's Word; opening themsleves up to accept the heresies of false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3). These same people will seek out preachers who will tickle their ears with "feel good" messages that will lead them on a path to Hell. Peter warns that in these days there will be many who not only do not understand the Scriptures, but will also twist them. Knowing this, we should be extra diligent to study the Word, not for men's approval, but to be found acceptable before the Lord (2 Timothy 2:15). This is not for the purpose of salvation, as salvation is by grace and only in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6). The bottom line is that we are living in troubling times and it's not just because society is going sideways. Unfortunately, it's also because many in the church are going sideways. If you know God's promises about His return and understand the times, based on the Word of God (not man's opinions), then there is no valid excuse for allowing ourselves to be led astray.

Monday, August 7, 2023

How Will He Find Us?

II Peter 3:17-18 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

What is this that we know before hand? Well, let's hear what else Peter tells us. In II Peter 3:8-10 he tells us, "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." The fact of the matter is that we are warned in God's Word that Jesus is coming back. Peter also tells us in this chapter that people will scoff at that truth simply because it hasn't happened yet. However, it is because of God's goodness and love that He has delayed His return. God knows the exact day and time that His Son will return, first to retrieve His bride, the church, and secondly to establish His one thousand year reign here on earth. Hear me out my friends, because God's delay comes with expectations for His people. We who claim to be followers of Jesus are supposed to be living God honoring lives, in light of what we know (or are supposed to know) about Jesus' return. There should also be an urgency that drives us to share the Gospel with family, friends, and the people God puts before us so that they are not left behind, and so that they don't end up in Hell and the Lake of Fire for all of eternity, separated from God. Jesus put it this way in John 4:34-38, "Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors." I ask this for all of us to think about and answer, "If Jesus came back today, how would He find us living? Would we even be able to say that we have shared the Gospel and led at least one person to Christ?" I pray that on the day He returns, if we are still alive, that we will be able to stand before Him unashamed, knowing that we were obedient and diligent right to the end.

Friday, August 4, 2023

Mouths Filled With Praise

Psalm 71:7-8 I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.

This Psalm is a reminder that there will come a time in this life, if the Lord tarries, that many of us will grow older and weaker. There will be days when our strength will fail us and there will be no one around to help us. Who do we turn to? Who do we lean on? For the writer of this Psalm, it is God Almighty who is his Refuge. As a matter of fact, he began this Psalm with these words, "In You, O Lord, I put my trust." Many of us have experienced times in life when others have seen the troubles in our lives and wondered how we could continue to claim the goodness of God, when our world seemed to crumble around us. In those moments we have a choice to either be ashamed of our faith or use our trials as an opportunity to allow God to shine the brightest. The writer of this Psalm chose to praise the Lord. How do we respond? Do we show the world that God is God both on the mountaintop and in the valley? Do we offer up the sacrifice of praise and fruit of our lips, which is thanksgiving? Regardless of what God allows us to experience in life, the only way we will endure in a way that brings God glory is to continually let our mouths be filled with praise for the Lord. It begins with putting our trust in Jesus, believing His promise that He will never leave us, nor forsake us, and bringing our worries and concerns to Him in prayer. The Lord promised that if we do, we will have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. It is in those moments that others will wonder, in amazement, how we can hold on to our faith. It is during those moments that we have the greatest opportunities to share Christ and His goodness with others. When we find ourselves at our weakest, those are the greatest moments to praise God so that His light will shine brightest for His glory.

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Always In Control

Job 1:12; 2:6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.”

The story of Job's life, from a human perspective, is a tragic story. He lost all his children, all his wealth, and eventually his health. Can any of us imagine having to live through such losses, one after another? To add salt to the wounds, Job heard nothing from God at all while all this was happening. Imagine the sense of abandonment, discouragement, and hopelessness, he must have felt. Yet, unbeknownst to Job, God was well aware of what was happening to Job. As a matter of fact, it was God who lifted up Job before Satan because of Job's righteous living. This should remind us that none of us, even those of us who are born again, are exempt from suffering loss in this life. However, what we can know and have hope in, with all certainty, is the fact that God is in control of all things; especially when life appears to be out of control. Contrary to popular belief, the devils do not have free reign to do whatever they want. We see this clearly in Job's life. Satan desired to destroy Job, and even though God allowed him to attack Job and his family, it was God who set the boundaries that Satan was not able to cross. It always amazes me how often we cross the boundaries set for us in God's Word, yet the devil himself will not dare cross the boundaries God sets in respect to his (the devil's) activities here on earth. It should bring us great comfort in knowing that God is ALWAYS in control, and closely monitoring everything that happens in our lives. When it was all said and done, God restored Job's health, wealth, and family. No matter what happens in this life, we can always count on the unchanging fact that God cares, God is faithful, and God is always in control.

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Only For A Little While

1 Peter 5:6-10 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

The reality of life on earth is that life is short, or as God's Word puts it...life is like a vapor. Yet, the troubles and sufferings we face can make life on earth feel like an eternity. The truth of the matter, for us who are followers of Jesus, is that whatever we are allowed to suffer now is nothing in comparison to what awaits us when we are finally with our Savior and Lord. Peter reminds us that we have an adversary that is relentless, but praise be to the Lord that we have a God who is greater. Although God may allow the enemy to persecute us and cause us troubles, Jesus walks with us every step of the way. Peter reminds us that the suffering we experience as a result of demonic activity is common to all of us who are born again believers. However, he also tells us that when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, we will be exalted; in His time. That means that we must be willing to put our pride aside and bring our cares to the Lord, because He cares for us. We must be willing to submit our will to His and obey His Word and guidance, and trust Him for the outcome. When it's all said and done, we have the promise that we will grow in maturity, have our feet set firmly, be strengthened spiritually, and be set on a firm foundation, which is on the Rock, Jesus Christ. When the enemy is allowed to do what he does, let us remember that it's only for a little while, but the blessings will be eternal.