When the whirlwinds of life are surrounding us, where is the hope that allows you; dear friend, to cling to joy in Christ. Financial disasters, chronic illness, failures, death of loved ones, aging, natural disasters, and the news so filled with murders, rape, and thieves continuously attack our sensibilities. Still, in the darkest moments of our lives as we draw near to Christ; hope arises pushing aside our despair, like a spring of living water, Joy emerges from that hope. How can that be? In those dark moments of despair, where do you turn? How can you break these chains of depression and hopelessness? Some of the greatest theologians battled depression such as Charles Spurgeon, William Cowper, and at times Martin Luther. Is it not only natural that the more we come to know of Christ, His righteousness, and His Glory the more despair we feel concerning our own failures at loving Him enough. We weep with our inability to live out this Christian life in the manner that would bring glory to His name. Even if we have learned to cling tight to Joy in Christ concerning our outward afflictions; how do we do so with our inward turmoil over our own failure? Have you ever thought, "But how can God answer my petition when I know I am the one who failed Him?" Still if God is Omnipotent, and He is; there is never been a moment where He said, "Oops, I didn’t know he/she was going to do that!! I would never have chosen her/him, if I knew what a mess-up they were." I am not talking to you out there who could care less about your sin and even want to blame it on God (you probably don’t even know Christ). I am talking to those of you who are broken by your failures while at the same time seeking Christ with all your hearts. Let me share with you 5 scriptures that will help you to hold tight to hope and joy in the Future Grace promised to all who know Christ as their Savior.
Scripture #1: "Hebrews 4: 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Because our High Priest (Jesus Christ) took on human flesh that He might be tempted (though without sin) and suffered hunger, poverty, pain and death for us; He is a sympathetic high priest overflowing with love for us despite our frailty. We need never be afraid to go to Him and lay our all before His throne of grace and knowing that He will give us the grace needed for each and every next moment of our life.
Scripture #2: "Philippians 1: 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" My security is held by God’s Power and not mine. He can take all the bumbling mistakes and turn them into something beautiful, in spite of me; though, He will not leave the chaff in my heart–He will remove it at whatever cost. He will transform my desires until they are aligned with His. This is does with patience and steadiness of spirit.
Scripture #3: "Romans 8: 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." One day, I will look like Christ. Whatever trial, pain, sorrow, or tribulation is needed to complete that task, I desire. The hope and Joy that will lift me up in each trial is focusing on the fact that God is in control and He will transform this self-exalting, selfish heart until He has transplanted a new heart that looks like Christ, filled with His Glory and His righteousness.
Scripture #4: "2 Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Step by step, glory by glory; God has taken charge of transforming of my heart.
Scripture #5: "Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."
So, dear friend, rise up, shake off those cloaks of despair and sing a song of praise to God for His love, His Grace and His Omnipotent Transforming Work in Your life. Rejoice because He is in Control.
“A truly humble man is sensible of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom; and that it is by God’s power that he is upheld and provided for, and that he needs God’s wisdom to lead and guide him, and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him.” Jonathan Edwards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=SSDWaMK5qFg