“…because He is at my right hand, I shall NOT be moved.” Psalm 16:8
Dear Ones:
There are two great realities, among many, that the Christian needs to ever remember. The first is that God has put us IN Christ Jesus, made us one with Him, complete in Him, there being NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God for time and eternity. This is the good news. The bad news is that in this world, according to the words of the Lord Jesus, “… you shall have tribulation.” (Jn.16:33) This would be very bad news indeed IF it were not for the words following that statement: “…but, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” What we could never do, Christ has done for us. It is our calling to enter into that great calling of “overcoming,” reigning in life with Him, that the world will see and know that He is God. How do we do this?
The Apostle Paul gives us three distinct directives, even commandments, which seem very simple, but which have monumental effects with regard to overcoming. The first thing we need to realize about these “commandments” is that, according to the Apostle, “… this IS the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:18) They are not optional. Why? Jesus, in using the illustration of a house being built, spoke of two foundations, and HOW that house was to be built. He specifically says that essential to the building of the house was the issue of HEARING and DOING. Those who would choose to build their houses upon the Eternal Rock, Christ, would HEAR and DO what He said. The result would be stability in the storm, an overcoming that rises above rain, the floods, and the winds. His promise was: “…it fell not, for it was built upon a rock.” (Matt. 7:25) What then are these three commandments, which are essential to hear and obey if we would be stable in the storm, and overcome?
The first is: “…Rejoice evermore.” (1 Thess. 5:16) Paul writes more specifically to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the LORD always.” Why? The great Constant is God Himself, never changing, always good and Wonderful, Almighty God. He is, at every moment of the day the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. The worth, and beauty of His person, declared to us in the word “holy,” is never diminished by anything that occurs on this earth. He is forever worthy to be rejoiced and delighted in. Secondly, “Pray without ceasing.” Again, why? It is because Christ has “inaugurated” a way into the very presence of the Father for us, a way that is as immutable as Himself, and as worthy as the value that the Father has put on His Son’s precious blood. Christ has opened heaven’s door, and it will NEVER be closed to the believer. Lastly, the third commandment is: “In everything give thanks.” The day, when all was entrusted to God, surrendered to Him, He accepted it, took it, made us His very own. He took the responsibility to conform us into the image of His Son. THIS is His objective, and this He will do, for “…He who has begun a good work in you, WILL complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6) There will not be a moment or day, or a circumstance, that God will not be the sovereign Savior and Lord, to bring us into a more complete, and deeper communion with Himself. This is why, in good or bad weather, in difficulty or ease, God IS our God, who will never leave or forsake us, always in control and working to complete His great and perfect work, in and through us. For this, we are to be continually thankful.
Dear Father, give us to see and grasp thy wisdom in giving us such commandments. Grant us grace to set ourselves to obey them by the Spirit. Then we will know the stability of being on the rock, even when the rain, floods and wind come. We will, by the Spirit, in Jesus’ name, overcome for Thy sake and glory. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad