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Are You Strengthened by God’s Word?
| Bro James Kambobe (Kazembe, Zambia)
W
hen faced with challenges, how do
you cope? In Jesus’ case, recalling an
appropriate scripture helped him, as when
facing temptations challenges (Matthew
4:1-11). Likewise, when King David faced
personal trials, he also was strengthened
by God’s word. He said, “When my disqui-
eting thoughts became many inside me,
your own consolations began to fondle my
soul” (Psalms 94:19).
In a similar manner, recalling a favourite
scripture can console us or give us strength
when we face challenges: “Trust in
Jehovah with all your heart and do not
lean upon your own understanding”
(Proverbs 3:5). Do we sometimes face
direct challenges like Jesus? Then
Philippians 4:13 may become one of your
favourite scriptures. Like King David, do
you suffer from “disquieting thoughts”?
Philippians 4: 6-7 may help you to cope.
Do you sometimes worry that your service
to God is in vain? Then remembering 1
Corinthians 15:58 will give you strength.
By memorising appropriate scriptures, we
allow God’s word to exert power in our
lives (Hebrews 4:12). Such favourite
verses can provide us with both strength
and comfort (Romans 15:4).
Keep the Word of My Patience
| Bro A D Liwawa (Neno, Malawi)
“B
ecause you did keep the word of my
patience, I also keep you from the
time of trial which is to come upon the whole
world, to test them that dwell upon the
earth.” (Revelation 3:10).
“Therefore the Lord knows how to deliver
the godly out of temptation, and to keep the
unrighteous under punishment to the day of
judgement” (2 Peter 2:9).
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not
common to man. God is faithful, and he will
not let you be tempted beyond your ability,
but with the temptation He will also provide
the way of escape that you may be able to
endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
These three quotations are very comforting in
our day. If we are left on our own during this
time of trouble, we could find it becomes
very difficult to solve the problems we face.
And we are told that there will be the time of
trial which is to come upon the whole world,
and during this time if we have kept the word
of his patience, it will be good for us to know
that the Lord will deliver us out of the
temptation. Though these temptations come,
He will provide us the way of escape. Thus we
can see that the Lord is God in everything and
whatever happens to us: “We know that to
them that love God, to them that are called
according to his purpose, all things work
together for good” (Romans 8:28).
The wicked are kept for punishment in the
day of judgement. Our protection will be
because we have kept His word of patience.
To Abraham, God said, “In your seed will all
the nations of the earth be blessed, because
you have obeyed my voice.” So it is that
keeping the word of His patience and having
obeyed the word of His voice will be key
factors for our Lord to deliver us out of temp-
tation. Our temptation will be the very
common problems we face daily (1
Corinthians 10:13) that are common to man.
They are there to test us who dwell upon the
earth. And as we keep the word of His
patience, He will also provide the way of
escape. Praise the Lord, for His mercy
endures for ever!