steadfast heart | considering the word

1 Cor. 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

As I logged in on my computer to begin my blog this morning, the headlines caught my eye. I realized that there is no better time for this verse to be recalled.

Death and it’s sting, sin, will be destroyed. That is a fact. We have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Therefore…knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord, we can continue until He returns.

When you start to find yourself wearing down and you feel like yielding or wavering, remember this verse and stand fast in the promise that your work in the Lord is never done in vain.

Keep going! When that trumpet sounds the fruits of your labor will reveal how worthwhile it all was.

Standing firm beside you,

jamie

Pr. 3:25: “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;”

Being honest, I’d say this is probably sometimes easier said than done. Is your sudden terror a terrible car crash that leaves someone unable to walk or see? Is it cancer or dementia? Is your trouble from the wicked being harassed or constantly pestered for your beliefs? Is it being threatened with death if you do not deny God, or threatened with prison if you do not go against your beliefs for man’s laws?

There are many different troubles or terrors that we can face. I recently read about a 3-year-old who was walking home from church with his Bible in hand. Some soldiers entered his village, chased him down, and demanded that he give up his Bible. The 3-year-old refused and they took it from him, and threw it in a nearby fire. Instead of running away, he ran to the fire and tried to retrieve his Bible with a stick. While he was trying to get his Bible, one of the soldiers pushed the 3-year-old into the fire and they left him for dead. (He survived and is being cared for)

How is that we are not to fear? How is it that a 3-year-old was able to refuse a band of soldiers when they demanded that he give up the Word of God?

This morning I read Ps. 112 that says, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken; he will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”

He will be in everlasting remembrance of what? Of God’s righteousness, His faithfulness, His might, His promises, His peace, His sovereignty, His miracles, His comfort. He will remember who His God really is.

In this sin-cursed world, we will all face sudden terror or trouble from the wicked at some point. How can we not be afraid? With a steadfast heart that trusts in the Lord and remembers who He is, always has been, and always will be, we can know that no matter what we face, He will give us the grace to endure.

That is why it is critical that we remain in the Word. In order to remember, trust, and keep our hearts steadfast, we have to know the Lord. We cannot neglect our time or relationship with Him. Getting to know Him is more important than any other thing we can do. When terror or trouble come upon us, we need to know in whom we are trusting and believing.

Knowing the true living God allowed a 3-year-old to stand up to grown men with guns and refuse to give up his Bible. The same God can equip us to stand in the face of cancer, death, or any other trouble we face, but we must KNOW Him. Spend time with Him today, before the terror strikes. He will prepare you to stand.

Believing,

jamie