Today I remember a dear pastor friend of mine who went home to be with the Lord suddenly, Pastor Alex Michel. I will miss him dearly. But there are some days we just gotta’ press through. No fanfare; no cheers from the grandstands. Just one foot in front of the other until the skies clear again… and they will. It’s just for the time being, and we get to fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Read on …
Today's Reading:
James 1,2,3,4,5
Scripture
“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11)
Observation
It doesn’t sound very spiritual, but sometimes, you just gotta’ endure! Nothing religious—no Holy Ghost glow, no reverb voices, and no goosebumps—you just gotta’ stay steady, motor onward for another day, and keep smiling. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us: “You need to persevere so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
Application
Endurance is necessary, even when doing the will of God! You’d think that, after having done His bidding, all of heaven would smile, and you’d be immediately rewarded with a celestial care package from heaven. But, not so. You need to do His will, then endure. Stay steady … when nothing seems different. There’s no shining light that comes into your room and no angelic voices singing. When there’s no “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” … It might even be replaced by a human voice reminding you that you should be at the bottom of the food chain! Remember: The truest test of a servant is how you respond when you’re treated like one.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for this practical lesson! Some days, I don’t hear any “good job” or voices saying, “Way to go!” I just need to know in my heart that I am following Your bidding, and the prize will come at the end, not in the middle. It comes “after” I have done the will of God … and there’s still a lot more of Your will that is yet to be done!