Harald Grønlund has this week’s devotional: Don’t give up!
Many groups in society think the reopening after the pandemic was too slow. It also applied to us as Christians, impatience took hold of us. We would meet in the fellowship of Christ. We felt that being alone was not good for us.
Because someone could also go on faith. When during this period it was requested that the pandemic had to stop, and it took years before we could meet; Where are you God in the middle of this scenario? Thought someone. We don’t think the answer is forthcoming, but in such situations we don’t have to give up.
JESUS IS LORD OVER EVERY SITUATION
For you and me as a child of God, we can know that every morning when we wake up we are not alone. This even if it is only me who lives in the house, in the flat or in the dormitory. This truth will be a strength, comfort, encouragement and what will carry us through the day the same way we feel when we wake up and step out of bed.
Imagine waking up with the truth that David says: “Truly, only goodness and mercy will leave me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” Psalm 23:6
The prophet Jeremiah also says something that gives us security when we rise to a new day: “But I still have hope, and it is because of the Lord’s goodness that it is not completely over and done with us, because there is no end to His kindness. It is new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. “The Lord is the one from whom I can hope for help,” says my soul, “therefore I hope in Him.” It is good to wait in silence for the Lord’s will.” Complaint.3:22-23.
And finally, I want to include another verse from David: “For His goodness to us is great and the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.” Love the Lord!” Psalm 117:2
Take the situation when Jesus calms the storm. Jesus has taken the disciples with him in a boat and is going over to the other side of the lake. He is tired after a hectic day and therefore goes to sleep in the back of the boat on a pillow. The disciples are afraid, because the boat is being filled with water; and then they wake Jesus up and say to Him: “Lord, don’t you care that we perish?” Mark 4:38a
So what is Jesus’ response to this question? Yes, Jesus stood up at once and threatened to find, saying: “Keep your peace, be still!” And the wind died down, and there was a mighty silence.” Mark 4:38b
Or the situation where the people had been with Jesus and the disciples for a whole day and the disciples thought that Jesus should send the people away so that they could get some food. But Jesus also shows here that He is in control, with the challenge He gives the disciples with the words: “They do not need to go away because you will give them something to eat!”
I think I see the despair on the faces of the disciples when Jesus says this. And that’s why you also notice something of this when they say to Jesus: “We only have five loaves and two fish here.” Jesus also has full control over this situation, and therefore He says to them: “Come here to Me with them!” Matthew 14:16-17. Notice how Jesus shows that He is in control of the situation, for He asks the crowd to sit down on the plain and then He lifts the bread up to heaven and blesses it, breaks the bread and gives it to the disciples who distribute it to the great crowd of 5,000 human beings. And then you and I know that there was enough for everyone, even food left over. WHEN HE HAS CONTROL OF THE SITUATION, THEN IT APPLIES TO YOUR SITUATION AND MINE TODAY.
DON’T GIVE UP!
You and I have areas and people that we pray for, they are very close to our hearts and we don’t think there will be any change. But let’s see what GOD’S WORD says: “Look, the Lord’s hand is not too short to save. His ear is not hard of hearing so that it cannot be heard.” Isa.59:1 This is an encouragement from Jesus to you not to give up, the answer is COMING!!! He has a heart for us and the areas we pray for.
SO LET US STAND ON IN OUR PRAYER LIFE AND DON’T GIVE UP. SOMETHING HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE PUT IT IN FRONT OF HAM!