(Psalms 59:3-4) For behold, they lie in wait for my life;
fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O
LORD, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me,
and see!
(1 Peter 5:7-11) casting all your anxieties on him, because
he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls
around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your
faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your
brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while,
the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will
himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion
forever and ever. Amen.
There are varieties of difficulties in the life of a
believer; many or few, severe or minor. You may have experienced many or you
may have experienced few. You may have experienced severe difficulties or you
may have experienced minor ones. The most difficult might be behind you or
might lay ahead of you. Your difficulties might be deeper, longer, and more
challenging than the believers around you are experiencing or, in comparison,
yours might not feel like difficulties at all. Only the Lord knows what
difficulties He has called you to endure and what the outcome will be. What you
know for sure is what the Lord has revealed in His Word. That is, that you will
endure hardships and difficulties for His namesake, that these difficulties
will sanctify you, bring glory to His name, and that He has empowered you to
respond to these difficulties appropriately and endure them.
Your blessed assurance is that the Lord will restore,
confirm, strengthen, and establish you either in this life or in heaven. You do
not know when or how, but you know it will be done and that is the rock solid
hope that you have to endure and enjoy your life as a believer.
Resist the temptations the enemy uses to trip you, stand firm
in your faith, and know that other believers around you are experiencing the
same types of difficulties. Know that God alone holds dominion over everything.
Questions For Discussion
Why are the difficulties of some believers more severe than
others?
What are some of the difficulties that you face as a
believer?
What is the hope that you have to endure difficulties
throughout your life?
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