Struggles, stresses, and brokenness pull on our persistence to persevere. While we heed the call to joy and peace, we may become myopically focused on the right now, right here. So, we need fresh reminders and daily grace for genuine gratitude, joy, and peace in the face of daily struggles.
Peter writes to careworn Christians to alleviate their privation by reminding them of the long view (1 Peter 1:3-9). The displaced and disdained followers of Jesus needed fresh understanding and assurance of their belonging and hope. Paul puts the scope of our outlook in perspective by writing, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17), and “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Roman 8:18). These are not platitudes of mere positive thinking but promises from the benevolent Sovereign in whom we rest and find our strength.
What is more, we can take comfort in the reality that everything we have in this world is his. We are but stewards entrusted with his good gifts to employ and manage for his purpose. We trust him to define, affirm, and protect what is his. When you become possessive, you only add stress to your life.
The third outlook for our perseverance with joy is, as Proverbs puts it, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (19:21), and “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (16:9). As his creations with the imago Dei, we are entrusted with creativity, reason, and volition, to employ them within the loving parameters of his revealed character and purpose. But our capacity is not perfect, our understanding is limited, our nature is broken; we will not live in perfection. We can rest in the fact that our Father knows this, and welcomes us as instruments in his hands to accomplish his purpose according to his will.
He knows the end from the beginning - his purpose will stand. So, you can rest your head on the soft pillow of his sovereignty (Spurgeon). You, a faithful steward – he, a good and loving Father; you are in good hands as you work daily and press on with the end in view. "When the race is won, you will run into his arms” (Twila Paris). In Christ, you are the object of God's loving concern from eternity to eternity. God is good, and his steadfast love endures forever.
I challenge you to not just trust him in theory, but in the day to day – little and big things, easy and hard things. Our Father is infinite - nothing is big or hard for him; he is also the God who came near, who numbers the hairs of your head (Matthew 10:30) - nothing is small to him. So, with a settled satisfaction (joy) in him, find your rest in him as you persevere, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.
The Lord preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me.
Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
Ps. 116:5-7
Copyright © 2023 Grace Bible Church, All rights reserved.