One Glory of the Christian is knowing that nothing bad ever happens to us. We have this confidence and know everything, even the most painful affliction or the longest trial comes to us from the hand as an act of love from our Father. It comes as a means of Him drawing us closer to Himself. So he can display that that He is our savior, comforter and rescuer, so that we would always know that provision is there for us. He hides and comes in the dark skies Psa 18:11. When affliction comes we can say it is from the Lord and it is good.  God is closest to us when we are in affliction. He is the good shepherd who watches over us closely to care for us most when we are in His school of affliction. What a great comfort this is, how amazing this is, when we can experiences and trust this. We can live above our circumstances, we can pass through storms, we can bound on mountain tops with hinds feet. Even if we have small faith as a mustard seed we can choose to experience this heaven on earth.

We should not compare ourselves to others or cling to how our fleshly thoughts, dreams and delights would like it to be. Those false expectations and lusts are the cause of our dissatisfaction and disappointment when we don’t get what we want. Give up your worldly expectations.  Instead be content and rejoice in His work in us. We do not see the big picture that perhaps he’s leaving us in want or affliction not just for ourselves but also for the benefit of others around us who behold us rejoicing in trials and praising Him for His affliction, knowing it is a gift to us. Then they may behold our conduct and ask, how this can be so in our lives. Whereby we may give an answer for the hope within us and glorify his name, to which purpose we are made and live on this earth. We must remind ourselves that it’s not only about us, but he is using us to gain glory all the time. So with such a great salvation and gift of grace given to us how can we mourn? How can our lips and our countenance be restrained from Joy knowing that we are already citizens of heaven and each day is a step closer to our new Jerusalem. We are breaking free out of Babylon and escaping the destruction and eternal suffering that we deserve. Shall we then complain because our escape is a rough path; that there are rocks and pits, deep rivers and steep mountains? Now none of these are real obstacles to us because

he carries us over each and every one. He is with us all the way, beside us and also his Angels whom He has given charge to guard and protect us watch over us continually. Is there any other path that you would rather be on than the one He gives?

We can be encouraged by the prophets who looked into heaven and saw the glory that is there for us; that we would never trade for the pleasures of this earth.  And no amount of suffering here is too much to pay for eternity in that bliss and freedom from sin in us and around us. Oh how this should make us rejoice and continue with this certain hope that one day we will be there; one day the Lord will call us home to Himself. There is no question of forgiveness from sin; He’s given us the earnest down payment of the Spirit and he will not lose his reward that is purchased with the highest price that could possibly be paid, the blood of his Son. So where is there a place for fear, doubt, discouragement over our sin or anxiety or worry?  Or even from outside trials in the world? Run and Cling to Him now in thankfulness! Do not delay, He is waiting for you and ready now.

He’s given us the freedom from the power of sin. We have died to our fleshly desires, died to sin, died to this world and now are free to live to Him in obedience. He will never tempt us above what we are able to bear and with the temptation will provide a way of escape. Let us use our eyes to look for the way of escape he has prepared in every temptation and to behold chariots of fire that are around us all the time. These are reality and will be for eternity; what we feel and sense here is only a mist, a vapor on a mirror that will soon be gone. We remember our past sins and even though indwelling sin taints our best works now so that we cannot be perfect as we want, praise God that He accepts us as we are through Christ. He sanctifies us as He chooses and those around us, whether it be fast or slow in our mind, it is perfect in His timing. So we submit ourselves patiently to his timing in others also. And though there are times that we fail in this new life and freedom, Christ is still our righteousness, and we are covered with a white robe without spot or blemish. That is not only how we will we appear before him in heaven, but how he sees us now. He does not wait to see us as pure and lovely, He sees us in Christ now and only thinks good about us. He promises us that He has cast our sins into the depths of the sea and remembers them no more. This is the freedom, the exhilaration that we should live in and experience regardless the feelings arising from our flesh. There is victory in Christ and we do overcome our fleshly worldly sense of undeserving doubts and lusts. Pay no attention to the devil when he would cause you guilt and despondency over your sin; but reject him, those thoughts and voices seek to steal your peace and quick return to rejoicing in Christ knowing has already paid for all our sins and God has accepted us with the love He has for the son. Marvel at that mystery and fall at his feet and worship Him for such love. He forgives us over and over as he has shown us through the lives of the Israelites. He continually forgives and calls us back to Himself when we would stray.  Trust that picture of His, love, acceptance and forgiveness that he has given us through their history. And no longer delay communing.

More serious Christians may be overly introspective about their sins and get stuck in sadness for them to the point they are not able to move from that sense to feeling the Love and acceptance of God. Do not think you can punish yourself, by refusing His love, that is a denial of His already being punished and paying for your sins. You cannot punish yourself enough by rejecting His love and promise to make up for sin anyway. Do not say, “It can’t be that easy, to receive so quickly His love, I have sinned against Him again”. Reject and refuse to listen to those voices that would cheat you of His free grace. Make a decision to never doubt His love for you again because it is a distrust of Him a denial Him who is Love. It is not about your unfaithfulness and imperfection; it is all about His faithfulness and perfection. You are graven in His hands. He will never leave you or forsake you. So Trust Him, obey Him do not cheat Him any longer of the glory He deserves, believe He is faithful even when you are not. There is no need to wait before you Freely drink, receive His love and be refreshed in His forgiveness. Go to Him in communion trusting that He loves you more than any father could. Though you may not feel it or sense it, just choose by faith to believe His love and acceptance is there for you now and eternally. For His glory do not doubt it. Doubt your doubts, but trust Him. He delights in this and begs and commands it of you. Stop resisting His love.  Then see what this brings to your experience and communion with Him when you by faith receive His love.

Do you see people who look like they have an easier better road? They probably would trade their path for yours. The grass looks greener on the other side, but there is no greater more blessed path than the one we walk with Christ, that he has prepared for us. So then let us train ourselves to no longer pay attention to the waves and winds around us and let us keep our eyes focused on Him and allow ourselves to be enraptured with love for Him. Though the devil and our flesh tell us we are weary, we know that we have the strength to do all things through Christ and that we can mount up with Eagle’s wings to accomplish his purpose for us if we believe. Knowing nothing bad ever happens to us how can we be sad and not rejoice always? So with joy let us constrain our minds to think on how to serve others, let us consider others better than ourselves and enter into that life of heaven on earth now. Trust Him to care for you when you even sacrificially put others first. Will you doubt His promises to those who by faith live this way?

Even though our path is sprinkled with blood and tears we have nothing to fear. Focus on the prize we gain by following in the steps of our Brother whose path was also covered with blood and tears. He was separated from the Father so you do not have to be.  Will you deny and refuse such amazing love?  Then obey Him and lift up the weak hands and strengthen the feeble knees by the power of the Almighty God dwells in us through His Spirit that we may shine the light of Christ to others around us for his glory.  The King reigns in Zion!
Soli Deo Gloria