Perseverance

I had persevered in prayer for several years for something that I believed was on God’s heart regarding His kingdom. Recently I convinced myself that I couldn’t persevere any longer and decided to make a major change. I’m so glad that, before I made a big mistake and stepped out of God’s will, He showed me attitudes and reactions in me which grieved Him and devastated me. With a repentant heart I went to the cross.

For some weeks I had been looking at Romans 8 and teaching on the Spirit-filled life. It is extremely consoling to know that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God that was demonstrated at the cross by the Lord Jesus. Every experience of ours is intended by God to mould us increasingly into the image of His son and to set eternity in our hearts. God is good and works good in all things to those who love Him. ‘Those who love Him’ is a description of His people who have been called according to His purpose. God working for good is not making human situations work how we want them to, but changing us more into what we will one day be when we share heaven with His Son, who paid the ultimate price for our salvation.

Whatever we experience, God is for us. If He is for us, we are safe. This is a fact. There is no doubt about it. The Father gave the supreme gift of His son to save us and He will give whatever is necessary to bring into fulfilment the work done on the cross. Maybe we need to visit Calvary more often if we want to be more like Jesus. To think we’ve ‘made it’ is an unsafe place to be in. No one can condemn us, because Christ died for us. He is at the right hand of God in a position of power and authority. He is also interceding for us. That is a cause for joy.

Suffering has always been part of the experience of God’s people. Suffering does not separate believers from Christ, but carries them along to their ultimate goal. It is impossible to get beyond God’s loving reach. His love is covenant love – unfailing love. May each of us have an undivided heart, surrendered to His will and His ways.