PASTOR OMODELE OLUBI
[biblegateway passage=”JAMES 1:2-10″ display=”JAMES 1:2-10″]; [biblegateway passage=”1 SAMUEL 2:1-5″ display=”1 SAMUEL 2:1-5″]; [biblegateway passage=”ISAIAH 53:10-11″ display=”ISAIAH 53:10-11″]
When we look around and see temptations all over the place, we need the grace of God to sail through. We should be joyful in such situations because they give us the opportunity to know God better. Satan always wants to keep us where we only see what God has not done for us rather than what He has done. He wants to steal our joy and make us feel God is not working in our best interest.
The trying of our faith works patience. When we are tried, it is an opportunity to build strength in us. It is an opportunity to be strong on our inside. Patience needs to have her perfect work in us so that we can be perfect and entire.
When we are of low degree, we must know that our exaltation is in God. We must never look down or talk down on ourselves just because we are going through the lows of life. When we are high up, we must not lose our heads and start misbehaving. It is sheer foolishness to not know the purpose why God has blessed us.
No matter how despairing ones situation may be, God has a plan. God shut Hannah’s womb and she was greatly scorned by Peninah. After getting through her process, she gave birth to a national prophet. Satan can take away everything from you but he must never take your confidence and hope. Even in our patience, we need wisdom and faith. We need to know how to be patient so that we will not run out of ideas and be frustrated. When we pray, we must ask in faith. When we lose faith, we frustrate our prayers.
We need the wisdom of God to pull through situations knowing fully well that God is committed to our sustenance. In spite of the fact that there may be challenges, we must always know that God is committed to our course. One way to get through hard times is to remain positive and generous. It might be ridiculous to think of giving in hard times but it is a surefire way out of it. We must know that no giving is for the fun of it. God has put laws in place to ensure that when you sow you reap. Cause and effects are established principles. When we give, we must do it with purpose. We must not give foolishly. We must give with expectations knowing that God is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him. If we withhold more than is necessary, it tends to poverty. When we give, we may not necessarily get cash back but God will definitely settle us in one way or the other.
God knows your name. He knows your peculiar situation and He definitely has great plans for you. Just trust Him and see how blessed you are!