I have noticed lately, many who have been going through difficult times, whether it be with finances, a divorce, a death in the family, or just everyday trials that are thrown at us. Many wonder what to do in these difficult times and wonder who to trust and hope in. There is only one answer for that, and that is Jesus Christ alone.
Maybe you’re thinking to yourself, “Brad, I know that! But why is it still so hard to trust in Him?” Well maybe you should ask yourself the question, “How much do I trust in Him?” We’ve all gone through one trial or another in our life, and have we not been strengthened and delivered from the enemy by God? Then why stop putting your trust in Him even when times are getting harder? Do you feel like there is no hope? Is there really a light at the end of the tunnel? Am I really going to have victory over this? The answer is, Yes! The Bible even states very clearly in the book of James, chapter 1, that we will be victorious, one on condition.
James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
If you remain steadfast, and stand strong in the Lord, then and only then will you be victorious! What a blessed hope that is, to know that when we endure and when we suffer and overcome and defeat the enemy, we will be crowned victorious!
I read a devotional book every day titled, “Morning & Evening“. I’m sure you may have heard of it before, and it was written by a great Christian leader of the 18th century known as Charles Haddon Spurgeon. He was a great man of God, even known by many people as the “Prince of Preachers“. He was definitely a man that the Lord had gifted beyond measure, and he spent all of his time studying God’s word and applying it to his everyday life.
I read the section for this morning and I wanted to share it with you, to encourage you, to lift up your spirit, and to remind you who you are to trust. Enjoy! May the lord richly bless you through this devotion.
“On mine arm shall they trust.” — Isaiah 51:5
In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father’s arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.
Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in Him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as He built the heavens and the earth, glorify Himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye. May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.
May our God richly bless you through difficult times, Brad Ormonde Jr.
