For the past two days I have written to you about truths within in the word of God as to how we might fight for joy in the midst of a world filled with pain and sorrow. How do we cling to faith wherein we might experience His fullness of Joy while everything around us and within us is crumbling from pain and fear? If we look around us, we see only sorrow and frustration. If we look deep within ourselves, we see failure and guilt. So how do we still fight for Joy? Christ said that He had told us these things that our joy might be full. These things He spoke of were to abide in Him. So, what does abiding look like?
So, abiding in Him is learning to rest in His Arms knowing that one day I will stand before Him and all Glory will be known. I can trust that every time He prunes me that He does so with Love so that I may bear more fruit which Glorifies Him more; magnifying His Beauty ever more within my heart. As I through contrition, praise, faith and obedience abide within His arms of Love; I bear more fruit. That fruit Glorifies Him more, magnifies His Beauty and thus brings more joy and hope in my heart as I gaze upon His ever increasing, breath taking Beauty. To Abide in Him, we lay down everything to trust Him—no matter what. Though my heart’s greatest desire is to be standing before His throne; I do not want to go without an abundance of fruit to lay before His feet. For that reason, I must abide in Him by trusting Him with all my Heart and Soul. When storm clouds crowd around me I must continue to battle for joy in Christ even while here upon this earth. I must revel in the moments that He does allow those glimpses of Overwhelming Joy and to see His great Glory before me. I must hold tight to Future Grace which will continue to sustain me into eternity. Trust, my soul in Him; rest my heart within His love, and forever let me seek His face with each step of this my life until my dying breath.
Abiding is trusting my heavenly Father is omnipotent and that He will not allow anything into my life that is not for my edification and for my ultimate joy. He only removes those things which get in the way of my seeing Him. Abiding is trusting my heavenly Father is omniscient and that He sees me as the Glorified, Justified, Perfect final product that He is molding. Like the artist envisions the final portrait as he steadily adds, erases, covers and transforms the canvas into his final completed work; God also sees the completion of His work in me. Abiding is trusting in the truth that my Heavenly Father loves me. Abiding is trusting that He is able to speak and stop whatever storm may have arisen; yet, in love has chosen not to—so that I might be blessed and He might be glorified. Abiding is casting aside all this pride which desires to show God that I can do it myself and realizing that I can only do it when He does it through me. Abiding is acknowledging the truth that He is on His throne and rules over the just and the unjust. Abiding is clinging to hope in Future Grace as He has provided. Abiding is letting go of Counterfeit treasures that I might obtain the Greatest Treasure which is God. Abiding is knowing that God gave His greatest treasure (His Son) that He might suffer, die and be risen so that a regenerate, guilty heart might be declared righteous and thus be able to share in the Beauty, Love, and Joy that is found in the Triune God. Abiding is knowing that 2 Corinthians 4:” 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure (the gospel) in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” And abiding understands that in this world, we may have tribulations; but our joy flows only as we allow the life sustaining nutrients of the vine to flow forth through us. 2 Corinthians 4: “8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;10Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.” (Excerpts from Ultimate Inspiration–God’s Plan of love)
I John 2: 12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
What is that will of God? I Timothy 2: "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."
So what if God allows my trials and tribulations so that I might present to you Christ and Christ Alone? Then, wouldn’t it be worth every tear? And to you who know Christ, remember, that no matter how long those deserts of your soul may be present, keep preaching to your own soul the truth of the gospel. I know I must.
Isaiah 61: 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Do not forget to keep your eyes focused on Christ. And remember as Johnathan Edwards,
“Christ is not only a remedy for your weariness and trouble, but he will give you an abundance of the contrary, joy and delight. They who come to Christ, do not only come to a resting-place after they have been wandering in a wilderness, but they come to a banqueting-house where they may rest, and where they may feast. They may cease from their former troubles and toils, and they may enter upon a course of delights and spiritual joys.”
Jonathan Edwards
The Works Of Jonathan Edwards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTlqY_ok8VY