FOLLOWING THE LORD DESPITE ADVERSITY

05/02/2023

"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).

There is a call of the Spirit to follow God because He is our shepherd. Psalm 23:4 says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." The rod is His Word and the staff is the inward witness of His Spirit in your heart. God is asking us to be directed by His Word and the witness of His Spirit in us because there are shadows of death, distracting influences, and persecutions that He needs us to pay no mind to.

The Lord through Hebrews 12:2 (Amplified) calls for unbroken attention to His leading in this season by "[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]."

When you follow Christ's leading, you will not walk in the shadow of death. Also, compromise, failure, and defeat will be far from you. John 8:12 says, "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” The usage, of "shall not" in John 8:12 is an if/then operation. Meaning that if you follow the Master based on His Word and the promptings of His Spirit in your heart, then you will not have the capacity to fail, be sick, suffer defeat, or be robbed of your rightful inheritance. 

Make no mistake about it; when God said, "Follow Me." It wasn't because you weren't already following Him. What He is asking for is that you give Him your greatest attention in this season. Pay attention to the messages at church, take note of the dreams you receive and respond appropriately to them by prayer, listen to His promptings in your heart, and let Him govern your decisions, movements, and stillness. Hold your tongue when He doesn't permit you to speak and let the things you do not understand be the things you ask Him about during your personal prayer times. 

Have a beautiful day!

Faith-Filled Confession

I hear God and I do as He commands. Nothing He says misses my attention because I maintain a perfect heart toward God. I am led by the Lord through persecutions and adversities, therefore, none of my steps shall slide. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

One-Year Reading Plan: 1 Kings 1-2; Luke 22:54-71