6 Octoboer 2013 - power, love, self-control

6 Octoboer 2013 - our share of hardships

How long, O LORD? I cry for help
but you do not listen!

We can easily sympathize with this complaint.  Our prayers are never heard on our schedule or in line with our will and plans.  This begs the question of whether we will ever be answered.  If God won't answer us in the way we want does he truly care for us?

We know that he makes all things work together for the good of those who love him and who are called according to his purpose (cf. Rom. 8:28).  Yet when trouble comes we still doubt his goodness. It makes it hard to proclaim our testimony to him.  It makes us ashamed.

So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,
nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;

So what is the problem then?  How do we bear our "share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God"?

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice
but rather of power and love and self-control. 

We fear that suffering means that God does not love us.  But his love is constantly available to us through the Holy Spirit.  In good times and in bad we must stir up this gift.

I remind you, to stir into flame
the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 

It can be mere embers if we neglect it.  If we allow this to happen we won't experience the full power, love, and the strength that comes from God.  Without these we'll face hardships on our own and be quickly overwhelmed.

In the face of suffering we realize how small our faith is.  The LORD is inviting us to ask him for more. Even a little faith has the power to move mountains.  We tend to try everything else first when there is a mountain in our way.  But "the just one, because of his faith, shall live."

We have seen the works of the LORD.  Let us not harden our hearts.  Let us not be rash, turning everywhere but to the LORD.  We have to be willing to lay down our control and to accept the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit which he gives.  This is the way which leads to joy.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

We are, no doubt, unprofitable servants, but look at how he rewards us.