“For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).
It is so interesting in life that there are times when situations are adamant. However, much you pray, how much you give, how much you fast. The problems are just there staring at you. Nothing is working or moving. There is no sign for answers. Everything seems to be silent.
This may be your condition at the moment. God seems to be at a distance. Friends are departing one by one from you. Relatives are mocking you and your salvation. You are a burden to your immediate family.
Where can I go? This is the cry of your heart. What can I do? The question you ask yourself. Let me say to you this ” take heart.” He who promised is faithful. Remember this; There are times when God will not get you out of the fiery furnace, but like the three Hebrew young men Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, He will keep the fire from burning you (Daniel 3.). There are times like Daniel where He will not keep you out of the lion’s den, but He will shut the mouths of the lions for your sake (Daniel 6:16-22). Still, there are times like for Joseph where He will not keep you out of prison, but He will give you immeasurable favour in the prison walls (Genesis 39:20-23). And there are times like for Jesus himself when He will not take the cup away but will give you the strength to drink from the cup (Matthew 26:39-42).
Do you find yourself in a furnace-like situation, or a midst hungry lions’ den, or Joseph’s prison, or do you have a bitter cup to drink from like our Saviour? Jesus is saying to you to take heart, “…I am with you always, even to the very end” (Matthew 28:20). Your heavenly Father is also saying to you, my son, and my daughter, “take heart” and “fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ ….”Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you,” says the LORD And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 41:10,14). I add this to you “take heart” and listen to what the Lord is saying. “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you, for I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; ….” (Isaiah 43:1–3). Let’s look at the example of King David to close now, take heart” because “The LORD is your shepherd; you shall not want. Yea, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil; For the Lord is with you; His rod and His staff, they comfort you.” (Psalms 23:1,4).
Prayer & Meditation
Father God, thank you for your word. Thank you for encouraging me to “take heart.” Thank you for your assurance that you are with me always. In Jesus’s Name, I pray. Amen.
Contributor
By Gilbert Magomere Ayieko
Minister
