Upheld In God’s Calling

This summer has proved to be one of tensions of all kinds for me and for my family. Stretching faith and demanding obedience that I didn’t know could be stretched so far.

Yet, we are told in the Scriptures that this is our proving ground. This is the place where we find out if we will be ready for eternity or not.

God calls, but are we listening? Obeying? 

Humbled

We are to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. We trust Him to bring us to the place of readiness. Trust Him to care for us and our loved ones. Because He loves us. He asks us to be good stewards of the stuff we have, but I’ve heard that we can’t take it with us.

Therefore, how do we bow before God and let Him have His way with us? Whatever that looks like?

Self-Controlled and Alert

When the unexpected and difficult thing happens, how do we react? Scripture says we are to be alert. Watchful. Stuff is going to happen. It just is. I think I have mentioned before that we could throw temper tantrums (I think I’ve seen something like that on the news recently), or we can be self-controlled. Think it through. Determine the best course of action. Maybe we could ask God what He wants us to do?

Resisting and Standing Firm

We are told that the devil prowls around (is that like stomping around in a temper?) trying to find ways to trip us up. Or throw us to the ground and lock us down on the mat in a first place kind of pin down.

We are encouraged to resist him. When we call upon the Name of Jesus, the devil flees. Why aren’t we more eager to do it? Just call out Jesus’ Name. That’s all it takes.

Then we can stand firm on the ground that Jesus has given us.

Restored

Suffering is inevitable. It’s our lot on earth. We just need to accept that and learn to move with it and beyond it. Eternity—that Phase Two of Life—comes after our victory on earth!

But the wonderful thing is this: we are called to eternal glory forever in Jesus. And after we have suffered for a time, He Himself will restore us and make us strong and steadfast. Because He is for us. Because He loves us.

And He is the All Powerful.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s might hand that He may lift you up in due time” I Peter 5:6. 

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” I Peter 5:8. 

“Resist him, standing firm in the faith” I Peter 5:9a. 

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen” I Peter 5:10,11.