Our faith is like a muscle. The more we exercise it, the more it grows and becomes stronger. The less we exercise it, the more spiritually weak we become. So with faith, when the circumstances of life are overwhelming, problems are stacked on every side and when we feel like we have been treated unfairly, we can be sure that God is on the move in our lives and He has a great reward waiting for us when we yield our hearts and lives to Him because we serve a “God who sees.” He knows our circumstances, and he sees what others have done to us. He is not only a God who sees, he is a God who acts and a God who empowers and gives strength to his people. God is our comforter in times of trial and sorrow. He is our refuge and strength when we feel as though we cannot face another trying day. He is our protection when problems grow too large for us to handle, and He is our shield and our deliverer. We may not have the strength to trust God, but Christ within us will give us this ability. Storms that arise in our lives could come from a telephone call, from a letter that brings disappointment, when our child has an accident, when a small pain develops into a serious illness, death, divorce, financial reverses, or maybe just the everyday pressures and tensions that build and build until the thunderhead erupts into a storm. Through it all, we have God - Isaiah 40:29 says “He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].” Philippians 4:13 says “I have strength for all things in Christ who empower me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].” Nahum 1:7 says “The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him.” Habakkuk 3:19 says “The Lord God is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility].” And, Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through him who strengthen me.” So my brothers and sisters when life becomes a problem much too great for us to bear, instead of trying to escape, let us withdraw in prayer. For withdrawal means renewal if we withdraw to pray and listen in the quietness to hear what God will say because we receive power and strength through our Holy Father to withstand the storms of life. Make time every day to read and study God’s Word. Your devotion time will empower and strengthen you for your day. Also, you will gain a better knowledge of the scripture and be able to share the Word with others. Always give thanks to God for empowering you with grace and mercy in your weakness and to help you stand strong in your faith even when you feel that your prayers have not been answered and postponed dreams. Pray that the Lord will give you faith and patience to rest in His timing. Acknowledge He is our strength and pray that He will enable you to be strong and whole in mind, body and soul as you wait on Him to move on your behalf. When your world has been shaken, remember there is a God who is unshakeable. When you are weak, pray to God to give you strength to rise above your circumstances and continue to worship him in the face of fear. Pray for God to strengthen you by the power of His Holy Spirit; to stand strong no matter what comes against you and to help you not to lose heart, but rather to continue to grow in faith. Remember Ephesians 6:10 says “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” I am going to end this morning with the words of an old familiar hymn “We’ve Come This Far By Faith” We’ve come this far by faith leaning on the Lord; Trusting in His Holy Word, He’s never failed me yet. Don’t be discouraged with troubles in your life He’ll bear your burdens and move all misery and strife, that’s why we’ve come this far by faith because we get power and strength from the Lord. AMEN.
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