Blessed Are Those Who EndureSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: When you are in pain and tears, hold on to the Lord and be patient. Submit yourself completely at His feet. He will make you blessed. He will never forsake His children. The Lord says, "By your patience possess your souls." (Luke 21:19)
When we read the story of Job in the Holy Scripture, we see that everybody forsook him. His own wife said, "Do you still hold to your intergrity? Curse God and die." But the Lord did not forsake Job. His three friends accused him on many charges. But the Lord told Job, "Pray for your friends. I will bless you." There again, he had to be patient. When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord turned his captivity.
When the Lord tested his patience, Job was found to be true in everything. Will not the Lord who gave patience to Job give it to you also? Do not worry yourself to bear this." He may allow you to be tested by the evil one to prove that your love for God is true. He may test the sincerity of your love (2 Corinthians 8:8).
In 1969, when we walked through the path of tears, everybody deserted us. When I was left alone in the peak of my sorrow, I read the book of Job in the Bible. The words that he spoke in the midst of his sufferings strengthened my faith. As I was reading it, those words gave me patience. The Lord spoke to me through the Holy Spirit, consoled and relieved me from all the sorrows. The Lord brought those who spoke against us during our trying times and they apologised for all the wrong they had done to us. He added blessings in our ministry and He expanded it. The Lord was with us when the shadow of death surrounded us. His promise in Hebrews 6:14,15, came true in our life: "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
In the same way, God has promised to bless you in your spirit, soul and body. He will bless you materially and in your family life. He will fulfill all these promises in your life. He will never forsake His children.
"Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord; that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful." (James 5:11)
Blessed are those who endure. So my dear friend, let not endurance or patience leave you. For sure, he who holds on to the Lord with perseverance will never lack any blessing.
My dear friend, when you are in pain and tears, hold on to the Lord and be patient. Pray to Him, "Lord, give me patience to endure all the problems that lies ahead of me. Give me the fruit of longsuffering. Strengthen me so that my life is righteous, peaceful and pleasing to You and to others." Submit yourself completely at the feet of the Lord. He will make you blessed. He will fill you with longsuffering which is a fruit of the Spirit and make your life fruitful.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
I come to Your holy presence and surrender myself at Your feet. Lord, give me patience to endure all the problems that lie ahead of me. I believe that You will give me Your blessings. I praise You. Give me the fruit of longsuffering. Strengthen me so that my life is righteous, peaceful and pleasing to You and to others. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen. |