Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10).

There is not a day of our lives in which we do not need to be encouraged to be strong in the Lord. We need to know that he is the source of the strength and courage that will sustain us through whatever is taking place in our lives (Psalms 23). We need to know that we can depend upon him and his promises (Heb. 7:8-9, 13:7; 2 Peter 1:3-4). Before us lies many battles as we fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12). Battles with temptations brought into our lives through the lure of the world around us (1 John2:15-17. There will be fierce battles as we encounter adversities that cause our hearts to become heavy making tears flow unbidden from our eyes. As a faithful child of God, we know that we know that our Lord stands by us not only in times of prosperity but in times when our way is dark and dreary as well and he stands ready at all times to put his shoulder under any burden we may have (Heb. 4:13-16).

 

With each passing day I become more convinced that our God will take care of and direct the heart of all who will trust and obey him (Proverbs 3:5-6). I believe that the God we serve can turn the worst day into a beautiful experience. He can make the light to shine through the darkest night.  I believe that one of our grand old hymns says it best: "Be not dismayed what-e'er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you .Thro' every day, O'er all the way, He will take care of you".  There is no doubt in my mind as to what God can and will do for us when we totally commit ourselves to him (2 Tim. 1:12; Gal. 2:20; Rom. 8:28-39). The difficulties of this life may be a burden but they are never a hindrance to the faithful child of God for you see, through the eye of faith we can see that land on a far away a strand where we will never grow old and one day we will fly away to that land where joy will never end. Take courage my friends, for even though  this journey may often become difficult causing us to groan, our Lord loves us and he will take care of us  as we press onward each day in anticipation of one day going to that home not made with human hands that is eternal ( 2 Cor.5:1-8; 1 Pet. 5:6-7; Phil.4:10).

 

 I pray that God's love will surround each of us and that he will bless us with the strength and courage we need to sustain us for each day of the rest of our lives on this side of eternity.

 

Charles Hicks