This week, I have been cussed out, lied about and criticized. This week, I preached the funeral service for one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. I have questioned many things and been challenged in many ways. I have asked God for help and once again, God has shown that God is FAITHFUL.
Last night, I watched a sermon by Crawford Loritts, a pastor from Georgia, that I have appreciated so much for many years. If you watch this message, you will hear him describe a time when everything was falling apart around him, just like David did when one of his sons and one of his closest friends were trying to destroy him. There is a chorus that Crawford sung on this video that soothed me quite a bit and even now, I keep repeating it in my head. It comes from Psalm 3:3 (ESV) 3 But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.
This morning while studying, I came across this passage... 2 Corinthians 4:6-10 (ESV) 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
In 27 years of ministry, I have made many mistakes and handled some situations better than others just like any other minister or pastor. We must always remember that we are "jars of clay" which are not pretty at all but do serve a purpose... to display what is inside us and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to our unqualified and undeserving position, we also are constantly faced with spiritual battles as well. The apostle Paul continued in that passage, "8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed". Yes, we are troubled but not defeated when our eyes are on Jesus. We may be confused for a season but not lost to despair when we trust Jesus Christ. We may be criticized and attacked, even from those closest to us, but we are not forsaken by Jesus Christ. And we will get knocked down every once and a while but we won't be destroyed.
Read carefully what Paul tells us Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Obviously we must keep our eyes on the Lord in order to stand firm. We must also put on the whole armor of God but there is something else we must do. We must be "praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints". [Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)] (You can watch this message from our church here.)
So this is why James tells us something that sounds very strange at first until you see why it happens... he says to "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds".
James 1:2-5 (ESV) 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Don't give up. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith!
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