Fortifying the Faith
By Andrea Pierce
Stay alert! Watch out, for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
Faith in itself is a very complex ideal for our human minds here on earth to understand, although it’s an essential component to the relationship we have with Christ. With our faith in Him, we can move mountains, but without it we face a path of discontentment and self-destruction.
1 Peter 5:8-9 tells us, “Stay alert! Watch out, for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” That statement alone should motivate us as Christians to take our responsibility in Him even more seriously, but in some cases it can have the opposite effect.
This can happen for one of two reasons: Someone might feel like it’s easier to live in defeat instead of victory, which more than likely resulted from a repetitive lie from Satan. Second, maybe they’ve been asleep spiritually and forgotten what God’s direction and nearness feels like.
Regardless of where you are in your relationship with Him, there is great hope and joy. It’s no coincidence that the ultimate hope and joy our hearts desire can only be found in Christ. He put those desires in us when He made us in His image. (Ephesians 2:10) I have come to a greater understanding over the years that God doesn’t want us to live a life of defeat because we are VICTORIOUS in Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57)
God also earnestly desires for our lives here on earth to be enjoyable and exciting, but we can never lose sight of the future we have in eternity through what Jesus did on the cross. Honestly, I believe that’s where faith takes over. Faith is that sweet reminder of what is to come in Heaven. It’s the strength that has carried me through almost twenty years of having Cerebral Palsy.
What I’m saying is this: If we have faith and trust in Him, no matter what we can truly experience the joy that can only come from Him. If that’s not you, you have no idea what you’re missing and it’s my hope and prayer that you will choose to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6 (NLT)
Ask God to strengthen your faith in a radical way. You’ll be amazed at what He does through us when we give Him the opportunity!
Lord, strengthen our faith in a way that challenges us. Make us uncomfortable if need be. Guard our hearts and minds from Satan as we step forward in faith with You, Father. In Your Name, Amen.
The devotion linked to this photo can be read at: She Reads Truth
For more encouragement, visit Andrea at Pure In Heart
© 2020 by Andrea Pierce. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 16 June 2020.
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