Persevering through Pressure
If you’re in that painful space right now, my word for you is: persevere! Hope in God—this is not the end.
Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
If you’re in that painful space right now, my word for you is: persevere! Hope in God—this is not the end.
When you find yourself dealing with doubt, let me give you three things to remember. First, God cannot lie. He can test, and He will. He can say no, and He sometimes will; He can say yes, and He will; He can say wait, and occasionally He will—but God cannot lie.
Doubt, you see, will always try to convince you, You are all alone. No one else knows. Or cares. No one else really can enter in and help you with this. In Hebrews, however, the writer says that Christ is a constant priest—not once a year, but forever.
The good news is this: That hope will not only get you through this particular trial, it will ultimately take you into God’s presence when you die because you have received the gift of eternal life through the faith in the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ your Lord.
Yes, salvation comes to us “free and clear” of any hidden charges or religious deeds or human effort. We come to God through Christ...lost, sinful, without hope, and deserving of hell. In grace, He sees us in Christ and in grace loves us, forgives us, accepts us into His family, and promises us an eternal home with Him in heaven, the ultimate destination of all His people.
This is only one of many references to an eternal existence in hell. The New Testament, in fact, says more about hell than it does about heaven.
Yes, it certainly cost somebody something. I repeat, it cost Jesus Christ His life. But because He paid the price in full on our behalf, we are able to accept God’s offer free and clear of any cost to us. The payment has been made. The ransom has been provided in full.
Think of the Bible as the absolutely reliable instrument panel designed to get people (and to keep people) on the right track. We won’t be confused if we believe its signals and respond to its directions, even though we may not “feel” in agreement at times.
Broaden your world. Kick away the thick, brick walls of tradition. Silence the old enemy Guilt, who will sing his same old tune in your ears. And work on that deep crease between your eyes. Look for things to laugh at...and laugh out loud. It’s biblical!
Whatever leisure time we are able to invest in relationships is time well spent. And when we do, let’s keep in mind we are imitating God, for His Son certainly did.