Continuing Michael's message on tribulation, he states that today is the evil day. Standing
firm is to stand for the truth of the Word of God ... to believe that we are
who God says we are … sons and daughters of God in the midst of a crooked and
perverse nation among whom we shine as lights in a world of darkness. Gods instructs us to take up the whole Armor
of God. Verse 14 says, “Stand
therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness;” The truth of the Word tells us who we are in
Christ. Because Jesus Christ who was without sin paid the price for sin on our
behalf, we can put on the breastplate of righteousness. We have been made the
righteousness of God in Him. The breastplate of righteousness protects our
heart. When God sees us, there is no condemnation, for He has made us
righteous in Christ. He sees the heart of Christ in us, the hope of glory. When
we understand who we are in Christ, then we can pray with Christ's heart behind
our heart.
Verse 15 says, “And your feet shod
with the preparation of the gospel of peace”. There is no peace without the
Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. He said, "My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world
gives give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be
afraid." Peace is the end of all strife with God. We have peace
because Jesus Christ reconciled us ... he brought together that which had been
separated. For there is one God and one
mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6 says, Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of
God which passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
Continuing in Ephesians 6:16,
“Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”
The hall of faith in Hebrews 12 is
filled with believers who stood fast despite trials. They all came to the
conclusion as did the Apostle Paul, "thy
strength is made perfect in my weakness. Thy grace is sufficient for
me."
Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren.” How do we know that He works all
things together for good? How do we know that good will come from our
trials and tribulations? This is a hard lesson. Joy is not the absence of pain.
Rather, Joy is the presence of the Lord.
What good is tribulation?
According to Romans 5-4, tribulation works patience and patience experience,
and experience hope. And hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. The chorus to the
song by Casting Crowns says, "I don't care if they remember me. I
don't want to leave a legacy. Only Jesus!" He alone is our strength and
sufficiency in all things. He alone is worthy of praise.
Despite the trials and
tribulation of this world, May we ever live to the praise of the glory of His
grace!
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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