* Power Belongs to God

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, 

and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, 

or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Colossians 1:16

God is very explicit in His word regarding Him being the one true living God.

But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.  Jeremiah 10:10

Because we have faith to believe that He is indeed the one true living God; 

Ö    the one who created heaven and earth, 

Ö     the one who knows the number of hairs on your head, 

Ö     the one whom through we live, move and have our being, 

Ö     the one who declared power belongs to Him, 

Ö     the one who told us not to fear what mere man can do to our mortal body but 

        rather to fear the one who has the power to put us in heaven or hell.

No matter what your situation looks like, no matter what it feels like, no matter how badly you may want to give up or throw in the towel, just keep on believing and holding on to God's word; focus beyond the dark cloud and believe what God tells us in his word; 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  1 Peter 5:10

Trust and believe that God is able; even when He does not show up in the way or at the time or manner that you desire of Him. He will give you the strength to endure when you think you can't go another step!  Be encouraged by the 3 young men; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who because of their belief in God, would not bow to the customs of another king and was thus thrown in a lion's den. 

Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.  If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.    Daniel 3:15-17

Their faith in God was so great that they let it be known that even if God did not deliver them they would never stop serving him. 

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.    Daniel 3:18

When we have faith in God, it gives us the ability to wait.  To 'wait' on the Lord is not just a matter of a length of time; it means to trust that God will deliver you.  Trust God no matter what you are going through; believe him to help you through all the difficult situations in your life. 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

The beloved physician, Luke, tells us that we should always pray and not faint.  

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;  Luke 18:1

In other words, don't lose your faith in God.  Be persistent in your faith. 

Don't give up on God.

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  Isaiah 40:29-30

Encouragement

04/27/20

01/11/22