FIRM TO THE END

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:7-8

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

I don’t know about you but these past few years have worn me out.

Ever since the COVID pandemic started to break out and spread, it seems like we have been on the defensive and that has been exhausting both physically and mentally.

Stay home and away from public places.

If you do go out, wear a mask and keep six feet between you and the next person.

Wash your hands vigorously and use hand sanitizer after touching things. Definitely, don’t shake hands with people or worse yet hug them.

If you think you may have been exposed, quarantine yourself for the number of days considered appropriate by government health officials, the same officials that set standards for vaccinations.

The list of COVID-related cautions seems to go on and on and on and on.

Now, add this to all the normal life stressors and you can see a recipe for disaster, especially for people already struggling with anxiety or depression. There’s little doubt that we need a strength outside of our own to persevere and make it through.

Thank goodness we can always find such a strength in our Lord. For He is our great Protector and Sustainer who helps us get through life’s challenges when we turn to Him for help. He never brings us to something He isn’t willing to bring us through.

In today’s verses from 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, we find Paul reminding the believer in Corinth about what they gain from placing their hope and trust in Jesus. Look again at his words here:

Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. vv. 7-8

In yesterday’s message, we saw Paul let the Corinthian Christians know that they were enriched and gifted, blessed with what they needed when they needed it by the Lord. Jesus equips His followers with what they need to live this thing called life to His glory. He provides an abundance of spiritual gifts to us so that we are not in want or need. In other words, Jesus always makes sure we have plenty to do in His name and never leaves us in a place of spiritual need.

He also keeps us firm to the end.

Satan would seek to move us onto life’s shaky ground where there’s little stability. Conversely, Jesus keeps us firm to end, the solid Rock on which we can stand until that day when He returns and helps us appear blameless before the judgment seat of God.

So the next time you feel overwhelmed by current circumstances, whether from a contagious pandemic or anything else, look to the cross, remember what Jesus did to save you, and fully embrace and celebrate the eternal future and hope you have because of Him. He will always keep you firm to the very end.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
Send any prayer requests to Gods4all@aol.com