If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? Jeremiah 12:5
I was reading in one of my devotionals today, and the message spoke to my heart so deeply, that I wanted to share it with you...to encourage you to keep on keepin' on in the GOOD TIMES, so that when the bad times come you will be ready. If we falter in our "Comfort Zones," then how will we ever be able to survive in the "swelling of the Jordan," when we feel as though we shall be overtaken by the flood of despair or discouragement?
Asa had much faith in God, and God gave him a huge victory. However, later on , when a "smaller battle" came, Asa turned to the king of Syria instead of totally depending upon God~~and God was very displeased. II Chronicles 16:9 God is telling Asa, " For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly: therefore from now on you shall have wars." Let us not only trust God to enable us to minister and serve Him in the toughest of times, but let us also wholly depend upon Him even in the "small stuff"---the small battles that we may be tempted to feel "are a piece of cake." Remember:
"Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord Almighty." Zechariah 4:6
The following is taken from the Devotional "Daily Strength For Daily Needs."
A heart unloving among kindred has no love towards God's saints and angels.
If we have a cold heart towards a servant or a friend, why should we wonder if we have no fervor towards God?
If we are cold in our private prayers, we should be earthly and dull in the most devout religious order.
If we cannot bear the vexations of a companion, how should we bear the contradiction of sinners?
If a little pain overcomes us, how could we endure a cross?
If we have no tender, cheerful, affectionate love to those with whom our daily hours are spent, how should we feel the pulse and ardor of love to the unknown and the evil, the ungrateful and repulsive?
H. E. MANNING.Dear Father, please help us be very careful to not yield to the temptation to take on the smaller battles in the strength of our flesh. Help us by using our daily lives, the every day, run of the mill routines, to train us for the bigger battles that are ahead. Keep us on guard and ever faithfully trusting You. Enable us to obey You with our entire heart and soul.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
