Ministers Blogs
“Encouragement”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesDaily Devotional
By Tom Smith
God knows when we need encouragement along our journey. When our flesh is weak and we need to be challenged to press on. I am no different than you or any other person. I have my times of weakness, those days when the battles are simply too fierce. Satan is only too happy to seize those moments, as he did when Jesus was in the wilderness for 40 days and nights. He comes to tempt us, acting as our friend who is concerned about our well being, giving us all the justification we need to take our eyes off the prize. That is some of the many ways satan will come to all of us.
I want to share some excerpt from the writings of Charles Spurgeon a preacher and theologian from the 1800's. I hope they will inspire and encourage you. There is perhaps no greater challenge we have as followers of Christ than to remain true to the faith. So many over the years have been like Demas who we read about in the Book of Acts. Demas was a man serving God, but decided to turn back to the world. In those moments of temptation I often think back to the words of Peter. When asked by Jesus if he would turn away from the Lord Peter boldly responded in John 6:68, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" That is why the child of God presses on, remains true to the faith. To whom shall we go?
Spurgeon writes: "Perseverance is the badge of true saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as long as life lasts. It is with a Christian as it was with the great Napoleon: he said, "Conquest has made me what I am, and conquest must maintain me." So, under God, dear brother in the Lord, conquest has made you what you are, and conquest must sustain you. Your motto must be, "Excelsior." He only is a true conqueror, and shall be crowned at the last, who continueth till war's trumpet is blown no more. Perseverance is, therefore, the target of all our spiritual enemies. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. "It is weary work being a pilgrim; come, give it up. Am I always to be mortified? Am I never to be indulged? Give me at least a furlough from this constant warfare." Satan will make many a fierce attack on your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to hinder you in service: he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will endeavour to make you weary of suffering, he will whisper, "Curse God, and die." Or he will attack your steadfastness: "What is the good of being so zealous? Be quiet like the rest; sleep as do others, and let your lamp go out as the other virgins do." Or he will assail your doctrinal sentiments: "Why do you hold to these denominational creeds? Sensible men are getting more liberal; they are removing the old landmarks: fall in with the times." Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your armour, and cry mightily unto God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end."
That sums up the challenge of remaining true to the faith. The challenge to not turn away from serving the Lord to go back into the world. The temptation to indulge the flesh. The lies that the work you do for the Lord is all in vain and makes no difference. The physical battle of fighting weariness and fatigue. Taking the easy road of compromise. These are all very real issues those who serve the Lord must face along their journey through life as they strive to remain true to the faith.
I hope these words will challenge and encourage you in your personal journey. It is our steadfastness and perseverance that satan will assail. A Christian does not scare satan, however, a Christian who is steadfast and perseveres no matter what life throws his way is the enemy's worst nightmare!
Be encouraged by the fact no matter what challenges come our way we keep pressing forward, faithfully serving the Lord and trusting Him each step of the way, and then see the incredible fruit from that steadfastness and perseverance. Jesus has already won the victory, our responsibility is to remain true to the faith!
