As We Have Heard, so Have We Seen...

-->

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

My brothers, my Sisters,

Greetings in the Name above all names, Jesus.

The tendency is to lose heart during the ‘light’ afflictions that come our way, as we yield to the temptation to focus on our trial, rather than our heavenly Father. But look again, there is a powerful promise to encourage our hearts, in the heat of standing strong in the LORD and in the power of His might!  Our battles here are temporary! Right in the middle of fretting and entertaining anxiety, we need to stop and realize we are making a choice not to trust Him, not to own His promises to us.

I heard it said that anxiety is the result of considering the future without God. Isn’t that exactly what we are doing when we give in to anxiety? The Bible says The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 5-6

Do not miss the beautiful words, “the LORD is near….”  WOW! “thank You for this sweet promise, Abba!” My feet are dancing! Check these promises. Daily God renews our spirit as we trust Him. He promises our troubles are light and momentary, no matter how they ‘feel’. We are to respond in faith, not lean to our own understanding. Where is our song believers?

As we have heard,
    so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
    in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
    forever. Psalm 48:8

This Psalm encourages me and lifts me up as it whispers to my heart: believe to see the goodness of the Lord! Even though everything that is happening around me shouts loudly: ‘you shall not see’.

Yes, even in the heat of battle, I am reminded of God’s faithfulness past and present. It reminds me He has never failed. As we have heard so have we seen.

Perhaps we are feeling sad because we think we have been defeated, lost a battle. And we do feel sad at times, but ‘a lost battle is one which one believes lost’. The battle is the Lord’s, not ours. ac

We are told to stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, knowing there would be battles. I needed the reminder this week to ‘sing’ His praise during and after the battle, when I least ‘feel’ like it. There is power in praise! The enemy hates our response to be one of faith. Satan prefers whining, sniveling and complaining, complimented by wringing of your hands and deep sighs, for this feeds self pity.

Our thinking dictates our choices and our minds are renewed only by God’s word.

Remember:

He suffers more than necessary, who suffers before it’s necessary. God may not deliver you from a trial, but will always deliver you in the trial. The blessing in this is we are allowed to draw near and ‘know’ Him more intimately. Things too dear to share with anyone.

As we have heard, so have we seen!

God we have heard and we have even experienced your victories. How great Thou art! Fill our hearts with faith to trust You. Feed our hungry souls with Your word that we may bring You glory and honor, standing strong in You. We long for the day when all battles are over and we are forever with You. Until then give endurance and hope and wisdom. This I have heard, that You are the great God! You delight in each one of us. Come soon Lord Jesus, amen

Much love in our Savior,

az