“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” – 1 Chronicles 28:20

 

There are challenges in life, then there are those things which seem so unbelievable that often times, we just want to give up.  These challenges occur at work, at school, at home, with the kids, finances, health and numerous other areas of daily activity. I can speak from personal experience that there are days when I just want to throw my hands up and give up, and I’m sure you have those as well.  There are those times when it’s hard to imagine that God is involved or even cares.  These are the times when our faith is tested, the resiliency of our trust in His love and mercy is put front and center to be evaluated.

She was a young women in the Netherlands during World War II.  Her father had been very active in the Dutch Underground, helping Jews avoid capture and the brutality of Nazi concentration camps.  A firm believer in the love and grace of God, Corrie ten Boom tells the story of the trials of not only hiding Jews and others in her home, but also the time in the concentration camp, after being captured herself.  In her book, The Hiding Place, she describes the horror and abusive brutality of the guards in the concentration camps.  She talks of the death of her sister Betsie and quotes her as saying, “There is no plt so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”  In the face of death, Betsie held true to God’s love and mercy as her strength.  Corrie was released 2 weeks later on New Years Eve, December 1944.  She later discovered that her release was due to a clerical error, and that all other women her age were killed the very next week.  Her comment, “God does not have problems, only plans.”, became a cornerstone of how she would spend the next 40 years of her life as a speaker and writer, telling the world about God’s love and purpose.

Faith takes trust.

Faith takes a persistent patience.

Faith takes peace in the unknown.

Faith takes courage.

God never leaves your side, you just have to have faith that His love is bigger than your problem.

Heavenly Father,
Bless me oh Lord with a faith as solid as those that have gone before.  Help me to live with courage like David, Solomon, the prophets and the disciples.  In a world that is filled with lies and evil, grant me the strength and courage to stand strong for what I know to be the truth.  Holy Spirit convict me to be righteous and loving to all that I meet, even those with an evil intent.  Pour out Your love through me, that their hearts may be softened.  In Jesus name we pray – Amen.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2011
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