Being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see!
In Psalm 69:1, David cries out to the LORD , “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck, I sink in the miry depths where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help.” How many of us feel like that right now?
Even those who have put their faith in the cross of Christ can find it difficult to survive in this fallen world where there is bad news after bad news and each day brings another set of problems. It is truly heartbreaking to watch so many people struggling financially. Those who were once secure in their homes are now facing foreclosure. Disease and sickness is affecting every family in some way. We now have a lethal flu that is threatening to become pandemic. Homes are broken as the enemy seeks to destroy the family and deceive our children. Disasters of every kind are reported in countries all over the world with increasing occurrence and severity. Immorality is rampant and accepted. The ways of God are perverted as we now label sin as “choice”! Paul tells us in Romans 1:25, “They exchanged the truth for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.” Sadly, God has been thrown out of decisions made by our government leaders as they give in to the clamor of the lost. Mankind now believes he has a better way than God to do things. That is a lie from Satan himself who somehow convinced one third of the angels in heaven and in the presence of the true and holy God that there was something better! He is the father of lies. Ask yourself, who do you believe when troubles surround you?
The truth is that Jesus died to give us hope with a promise that he will be with us to the end. You may be hard pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted and struck down in your life but you can never be destroyed! There now is no power to defeat those whose trust is in the cross of Jesus Christ. Though the world is darkened as evil fills the sky, believers will always have a light to shine on the path they are to take. It is by faith that we know that God will complete the good work that he started in us. We need unwavering trust to believe and not doubt that Jesus has a plan that cannot be stopped by the problems of this world. It does not matter how impossible your situation is or how painful your heartache, God knows how to move mountains and part the waters of trouble so that you can get to that place in your life that he has ordained for you long before you were born. The trials and struggles that you face are merely the wind that he uses to transform you into the image of Jesus Christ! He can still save your marriage, give you victory over addictions, heal your body, and restore your finances. There is nothing too hard for him who first loved you.
All that you need to survive in this world is within you if you have put your complete trust in Jesus and have made him Master of your life. It is not in saying a certain prayer but by surrendering your life to his perfect will. There is nothing good that you can do to save yourself but Jesus finished the work of our redemption when he gave his life for us. He is alive to intercede on our behalf and he has prepared a place for us in heaven. He did not die and leave us to fend for ourselves. He is with us now. He knows your name. He sees your face. He hears your voice. His strength is always with you. And while others are standing on the sinking sands of a lost earth, you are standing on the promise of Jesus Christ who will not fail to keep you in the victory that he won. You must stand and believe to the end. We have nothing to fear from this world for our citizenship is in heaven, guaranteed by the blood of Christ.
My friends, I give this message because these days are very difficult and painful. There is so much to deal with. I just pray that you can trust that your hope is secure. Christ will never fail you. Even the enemy knows that we are more than conquerors through Jesus. Believe the promise, mighty warrior, for the reward is yours for eternity!
Dear Jesus, there is just so much stress to deal with in our struggle to get through each day. I pray that you will comfort those who read this message and give them your peace that will fill them with hope. I pray that marriages will be healed; sickness cured and bodies made whole; strength to overcome bondage and addiction; healing for those who hurt; and, help in financial struggles. May they understand that the enemy is trying defeat them with his lies but that he has no power to destroy them or take them from you. Help them to know that you are always can find a way for them. I pray for favor for those who need a miracle right now in their life. We humbly bow and trust that you will not fail us. We give thanks and praise in your name. Amen
19 comments
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September 21, 2009 at 11:30 am
Zet
Dear Marianne,
Jesus manifested once again His love and blessed assurance. Encouraging and I affirm that Christ is truly alive, our source of miracles and wonders. He will lift us up in every misery. Thank you Marianne, very timely.
September 21, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Marianne Lordi
You just keep your eyes on Christ, Azon, and watch and see how he will bring you through your struggle. He knows where you are! He won’t fail.
It may seem like it, but then that is what seperates a true Christian from one who just calls herself a Christian – having faith in the dark times.
I am constantly praying for you. God has a way and it will happen.
September 23, 2009 at 11:46 am
ransom33
You truly are a mighty warrior! The strength of your spirit inspires me to continue in the race.
God bless you
Mercedes
September 23, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Ministry Addict
“Being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see!”
Vance Havner used to say that faith believes the incredible, sees the invisible, and does the impossible.
September 23, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thank you for your kind words, Mercedes! They truly brightened up my day and just shows me that God is with me no matter what I am going through. Bless you.
September 23, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Marianne Lordi
Ministry Addict, I like that way of describing faith! I am going to use that description. Vance was right on! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
September 27, 2009 at 10:15 pm
concernedx2
As always Marianne, your message has caused me to remember some of the times that Jesus has preformed his work in my life. If we really thought about it, I am sure that every one of us has a story to tell of times when Jesus did the impossible for us and we didn’t even know it.
Jesus is in no way challenged by the size of our problems, however, for many, the magnitude of todays problems present a golden opportunity for us to see just how great Jesus can be.
September 27, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Marianne Lordi
Thanks for your comment, Rev. York. I believe you are so right when you say that our painful problems are always an opportunity to see the faithfulness and power of Jesus as he takes us through them all!
When Jesus lost many of his disciples as he explained how we must be one with him, he turned and asked his Apostles if they were going to leave also. Peter’s answer was, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” (John 6:68) That is the same truth I hold on to in the decisions of my life. Even when my struggles seem to take me to the limit of my faith, I keep my eyes on the only One who can help. There is no one else! I say, ” Lord, to whom shall I go?”
September 29, 2009 at 4:32 pm
God's girl
You are right, we can trust Him and He always works for our good. I am learning to believe this in new ways as things get harder and harder. Thanks for your encouragement! Love, Jenny
September 29, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Marianne Lordi
Hi Jenny, We can trust God to always be there to work things out for us and that is the reason we can have peace while the rest of the world is in turmoil.
I appreciate you stopping by. Keep up the good work with your writing!
September 30, 2009 at 9:59 am
Joe
“Sadly, God has been thrown out of decisions made by our government leaders as they give in to the clamor of the lost.”
Marianne, you are so right on with this statement. I find it interesting that the same folks who want God out of our schools (and our lives in general) are usually the first to blame God when disaster strikes. As C.S. Lewis remarked, we can either say to God “Your will be done” or if we don’t, at the end, He’ll say, “then your will be done”.
Thank you for this encouraging word today. The clouds may be dark but we can rejoice that “his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning”.
Blessings to you –
September 30, 2009 at 10:13 am
Marianne Lordi
Hi Joe, thanks for stopping by. C.S. Lewis was right on with his remark! I never saw that one. Your reminder is good in that God’s mercies never come to an end! May God bless your day!
October 4, 2009 at 10:34 pm
brother malachi
Greetings Marianne in His lovely and faithful name. A very precious word for this day we are living and as always spot on with regard to His unchanging word.
The testimony of not only the number of your readers but the importance of their sharing, is a testimony that the Lord is using you words to meet very important needs in peoples lives.
God bless you sister as you faithfully serve Him. I pray that He will meet the need in your life both physically and spiritually. He is faithful!
brother malachi
October 4, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Marianne Lordi
Welcome Brother Malachi. It is always an honor for me when you visit. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement as I am always tested when I write a message of God’s truth.
October 5, 2009 at 12:27 am
Crown of Beauty
Dear Marianne,
Thank you for your warm words of encouragement at my latest post. How we need the bond of love to unite us believers in these trying times… indeed we are at the end times of the kingdom of darkness.
Your post is so full of hope. And I pray that many will find their way to the Savior through your blog. Like you, my desire is to use my blog to be a light house in these dark days.
Be richly blessed today!
Love
Lidj
October 5, 2009 at 10:51 am
Marianne Lordi
Dear Lidj, Your blog messages carry a powerful truth and you are obedient to write and encourage others. Bless you for that.
Thank you for stopping by and for commenting. It is so good to meet other believers who have a passion for Jesus.
May God bless you and find favor on you this day!
November 22, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Zainab
Its my first time to come across this website and I believe that its a Prayer answered because while I’m waiting on the Lord to redeem me from an impossible situation, I have found myself receiving bad news and being discouraged. I have seen the Hand of God at work in my life and I trust Him with every born in my body hut while my final fate is not decided in my quest, I have received discouraging reports and my Faith stumbled alittle. So I asked the Lord for a sign and inspiration to know that He truely is fighting my battles and your message has firmly restored my Faith and greatly inspired me and I can’t wait to give a testimony, praise the Lord. You are truly blessed young lady Ms Marianne. Thank you for your inspiring words. May God continue to bless you.
November 22, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Marianne Lordi
Dear Zainab, How blessed I am that you stopped by here. I am so glad that God has helped you by the message that he gave to me to write. I always pray that God will reach the person(s) that he has intended and I can see that you truly were one. It was no coincidence that you stopped here. Your impossible situation is in his hands. Can you trust the One whose breath of life is in you? He knows what you need and he is never late. It is hard to wait but as you understand that the wait is part of God’s answer, you can have his peace. I pray that things will work out for you soon. I pray that God is opening the doors that have been slammed shut in your circumstance. I pray that you will remain trusting no matter what lies the enemy tries to fill you with.
God bless you and thank you for your kind words of encouragement!
December 15, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Aaron
God says “I will show you wonders” Mic 7:15