Stay On Course to The End

"We have known many who have joined the army of Christ and liked being a soldier for a battle or two, but have soon had enough and ended up deserting."  by William Gurnall

“There are times when a saint is called to trust in a withdrawing God. "[Let him] that walketh in darkness and hath no light trust in the name of the Lord" (Isaiah 50:10). This requires a bold step of faith. We must be willing like Ester to say, "If I perish, I perish" (Esther 4:16). “Which leads our faith one step further:  We must declare with Job, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" (Job 13:15). Taking up the cross daily, praying always, watching night and day and never laying aside our armor to indulge ourselves, sends many sorrowful away from Christ.”

In observing many believers in my years as a passionate follower of Jesus the Messiah I have observed many who run to God in response to some crises, or some emotional event, even during great outpouring of His Spirit, but who only seem committed until the cost is to great, the battle to long and the apparent rewards to small. We sometimes promise people that when they come to God all will be well. According the Bible following Jesus puts us in a battle with the world, the flesh and the devil that is not over until we pass into the next life.

If we are going to persevere until the end we must learn to press into His presence and stand on the foundation of His living and written Word. Establishing relationships with people who are passionately in love with Him is helpful, but there are times and seasons where only God can be our Fortress, a true friend who will stay faithful and will not change. Learn to trust Him and know Him so that when the storms come you will not be a stranger to His goodness and care. When the storm surrounds you it will be natural to find your way into His fortress and care. The temptation to find solutions elsewhere are greatest when our relationship with Him is weakest.

For the complete devotional purchase  'The Christian in Complete Armour daily devotional by Gurnall and Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/