Keep trusting God in your trials. Resist temptation. And don’t ever complain but seek the grace, the strength of Jesus and be steadfast and immovable.
Three cheers if you’re trusting God right now through a hard trial.
Yes, yes! God bless you for persevering through your trial right now because you are being a God-glorifying, good example to others like me. I’m Joni and if you are living courageously and valiantly for the Lord Jesus; if today you are clinging to your Savior despite tests and temptations; if you remain confident in him when trials keep piling on; or if you are leaning hard into Jesus in order to resist temptation – you know, the temptation to complain or grumble or cave into discouragement. Believe me, God is noticing you. God is writing it down. God is remembering this because you are making his son, Jesus look great and glorious in the eyes of others. Angels are even rejoicing over that. But demons, they’re not at all rejoicing. All of them are though, standing on tiptoe, hoping that you will dishonor Jesus with a little [how about], a little grumbling? How about some complaining or being resentful of that trial? That is what the demons are hoping for. But friend, I am praying that you’ll persevere.
Because that is when you are effective in the kingdom of Christ. Satan may put a target on your back, but his fiery darts cannot touch you if you hold fast to Bible promises and if you call on the grace of God. Satan’s arrows cannot pierce you if you dressed yourself in the armor of God this morning. And if, if you feel as though you cannot take the pressure of having so many trials, pray the way David petitions God in Psalm 56. In the first few verses, David who is being sought by Saul asks, “Oh, be gracious to me, O God, for all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me…they attack me proudly. [But] when I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” There you go. If you feel overwhelmed when the enemy attacks, tramples, and oppresses you, put your trust in the God of the Bible. It’s what I do every day – especially as my scoliosis worsens in this wheelchair. I hold fast; I cling to Jesus. I keep my focus on him, the one I want to glorify in the eyes of others [others including those demons who harass me and try to attack and oppress me]. But I’m not going to be afraid. And I don’t want you to be afraid either friend.
Because one day [and it’s coming soon], one day Jesus will return and no longer will his sword of justice be shielded behind his astonishing patience. No, he’s going to crush his enemies, the chief of which is Satan himself. And here’s how you, yes, you figure into that. Romans 16 says, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet [Did you hear that? Jesus will crush the devil and he’s going to use your feet to do it].” So, for all the many times demons have prodded and poked you, harassed you; for all the times you’ve stumbled in spiritual warfare; for all the times Satan tried to get you thinking resentful thoughts about God, you will have the satisfaction of crushing him under your feet. Exactly how does that happen? Well, remember that you are wondrously united with Christ. He’ll crush Satan, but he’s going to do it with your feet because he’s the head and you are his body. So, friend, be ready today. Put on the whole armor of God and live a life worthy of your Lord. Stand firm against the evil one. Read your Bible and pray without ceasing. Keep trusting God in your trials. Resist temptation. And do not ever complain but seek the grace, the strength of Jesus and be steadfast and immovable.
© Joni and Friends