Cling Tenaciously

"My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me."

Psalm 63:8

All through the winter, one lone leaf has clung to my lilac bush. Through harsh winds and heavy snow it has held fast to the branch, refusing to let go. That tiny leaf reminds me of how we must tenaciously cling to God during the bitter cold and howling wind of life's trials. If we let go, we will surely be tossed about in fear and doubt. But if we hold tight to the One who knows every breath we take, every hair on our head, we will see His faithfulness to bring us peace and joy even in the worst conditions. God is compassionate and full of mercy. He gives grace to all who cling to Him. He holds them up and keeps them close to His heart. May our souls cling tenaciously to Him.

God Helps Us

"For He Himself knows our frame; 

He is mindful that we are but dust."

Psalm 103:14

There is a common saying "God helps those who help themselves." It's a manmade phrase; you won't find it in the Bible.  To the contrary, God helps those who are unable to help themselves. That means everyone of us when it comes to salvation. He sent His Son to accomplish what we are helpless to do. Once we give ourselves to God, He helps us in our trials. He is our compassionate Father who knows all our weaknesses. Even before we recognize them. When we come to Him with our need, He doesn't chastise us and tell us to handle it on our own. He steps in with power and grace and supplies all we require.

Evidence of God's Love

"For the Lord will not reject forever, for if He causes grief, then He will have compassion according to His abundant lovingkindness. For He does not afflict willingly or grieve the sons of men." 

Lamentations 3:31-33

When bad things happen, it's difficult to believe that God loves us. We can read verses like this one, or hear similar words from a friend, yet still we wonder if it's true that God cares. Sometimes we hear the testimonies of other people who have come through challenging circumstances with stronger faith in God than when they started. They tell of how the Lord carried them through the storm, and as impressed as we are, we doubt that God will do the same for us. At such times we must look to the cross and remember that our Savior faced the horror of crucifixion out of His love for us. The cross is the evidence of God's love. Hold fast to it!

Beauty Out of the Ashes

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

What a precious promise God gives us in this verse. Even though sorrow comes into our lives, we have the assurance that our Father loves us and will bring good out of the bad. God always has a master plan. Not a back-up plan, not Plan B. No. God knows what's coming before it ever takes place and He intends to bring beauty out of the ashes. It takes so much trust in the Lord to accept this truth. Satan will try to persuade us that God doesn't love us, that God is not good. But that is a lie and we must recognize it as such and cling to scriptures such as this one. Say to the Lord, "You are my God and I trust you. Just as Job said, 'Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.'" 

Surviving the Drought

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD

         And whose trust is the LORD. 

    "For he will be like a tree planted by the water,

         That extends its roots by a stream

         And will not fear when the heat comes;

         But its leaves will be green,

         And it will not be anxious in a year of drought

         Nor cease to yield fruit."

Jeremiah 17:7-8

I have lived through droughts, where trees deprived of water become dry and brittle; their branches no longer covered with green leaves or fruit. Some trees do manage to survive until the rains come again, but the damage from lack of moisture to their roots is so great, it takes years for them to fully recover. Even then, the damage is still noticeable. But the trees that grow next to streams and rivers remain strong and green. Their roots go down deep to drink of the life-giving water. And so it is with the person who faces the drought of life's trials. Those far from Christ must try to draw their strength from other people, or things. Some don't survive. Others do, but their lives reflect the damage done by going it alone. They are bitter, angry people. Years after the drought, they are still hurting. How much better the life of the person who is rooted in Christ, who puts his trust in the Lord. Those who have planted themselves next to the Living Water will draw strength from Him. Not only will they survive the worst of times, but their testimonies will bear fruit.  The fruit of glory to God. 

The Blessing of a Trial

"He gives strength to the weary,
         And to him who lacks might He increases power."

Isaiah 40:29

When life knocks us down, our God has the strength we need to get back up again. We don't always believe this. Sometimes it takes a major setback for us to realize the extent of God's power. For it is when we are at our very weakest that we finally cry out to Him in surrender. Up until then we can fool ourselves into thinking that we are providing the strength we possess. Thank God that He doesn't allow us to stay in that state of ignorance. Although a trial never seems like a blessing, it really is. The blessing is in seeing the work of our mighty God when we are broken. It is then that we can say, "He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak."  All to the praise and glory of God.

The God of All Comfort

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ". 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

The same God who allows suffering to enter our lives, is the "Father of mercies and God of all comfort". There is no depth of comfort such as that which we receive from God Himself. He is able to deliver healing to our very souls. Then, when we have experienced God's soul-healing comfort, we know better how to encourage others. In God's economy, we learn from Him and then use what He has taught us to help others.  The Christian who has come through a great trial, is best equipped to minister to others who are hurting.

Trials Strengthen Our Faith

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" 

1 Peter 1:6-7

There is a certain strength of faith that comes to the Christian who has withstood the trials of life. It cannot be obtained any other way. Suffering comes our way, and what we profess to believe about Christ is put to the test. This is not so that God can know how deep and real our faith is. He is omniscient and knows all. No, this testing is for our own knowledge, so that when we have endured such affliction and have found our faith to be stronger than ever, we will have inexpressible joy. Present joy in understanding the power of the Holy Spirit to preserve our faith in times of trouble, and future joy when we at last see our Lord Jesus Christ and here Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

Those Who Wait, Will Fly

"Yet those who wait for the LORD

         Will gain new strength;

         They will mount up with wings like eagles,

         They will run and not get tired,

         They will walk and not become weary." Isaiah 40:31

In the midst of trials, it is hard to wait for the Lord's deliverance. We want so badly for the hardship to be over, and it is difficult to understand why God tarries. But He has promised to give strength to the weary and power to the weak, if they will only wait on Him. Isaiah tells us they will mount up with wings like those of the eagles.  You can be sure that the same God who created the powerful wings of the eagles and gave the raptors such an amazing wingspan with which to fly high above the earth, will come through on His promise to lift us up, too. Trust Him. Rely on Him. He is faithful.