Title The One Who Gives Strength and Courage
Contents
"The LORD upholds all who stumble and raises up the humble."
Don't we remember ourselves from the back of this student who lost hope for life and walked lonely? In a world filled with rivals who have to cry and have a warm conversation with our neighbors disappearing, we have someone who warms our hearts and gives us strength, courage and power. He is Jesus Christ, who died for me.
When the Israelites, who sinned against God, were going through hard times as captives in Babylon, God comforted them on the one hand. He wanted to gain new strength and live with a hundredfold courage. Through the prophet Isaiah, “Comfort my people. Comfort each other and live.”
Our society today needs comfort more than ever. The whole country is losing its consciousness due to the illegal money play of politicians who transcend common sense, the severe asthenia of the churches that should be positioned as the light and salt of the world, and the rise of new and unknown diseases. In times like these, shouldn't we live by comforting each other?
The reason we live with courage despite the many afflictions in the world is because there is God's grace that does not stand by and comforts us all the time. The word “comfort” is originally an ancient Greek word that means “to call close to your side, to encourage courage and help you rightly.”
“May our Lord Jesus Christ and God our Father, who loved us by grace and gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).
Before Napoleon crossed the Alps to attack Italy, he sent scouts to detect the situation. The skirmisher returned and reported. ‘You can climb mountains. But… .' Napoleon knew what the skirmisher was trying to say. What the skirmisher was trying to say was that it would be too hard for me to give up. Napoleon stopped him and said, "Stop talking." And over the Alps. As they crossed the rugged Alps, they encouraged and led the dying soldiers to conquer Italy, which had been neglected. Napoleon always took the most dangerous position himself, encouraging weak and passive soldiers and staff to achieve victory. This is the strength of Napoleon being evaluated as a leader.
God does not leave our saints alone when they are weak. He guides and builds us up. Even when we fail to pray and are disappointed, the Holy Spirit within us intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26). God does not give tribulation to destroy his children, but allows tribulation to further refine them so that their faith may grow.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest, if we are not weary” (Galatians 6:9).
Brothers and sisters, no matter how difficult our circumstances are, let us rely more on God, who gives us strength and courage. If we have made a mistake, let us repent without delay. As long as you have a right relationship with the Lord, you will be able to overcome even the most evil and strong enemies. Let us completely depend on God for little or great things. Then, no matter how tough this world is and the power of the devil is strong, we can win. Let's rely on God for everything every day. We are confident that the Lord will give us strength and courage, comfort us, and protect us.
* Prayer: When I am discouraged in pain, you come to me quietly and comfort me. Do not try to solve it with my own strength and methods, but leave it to the Lord. Help me to overcome the temptations of the world without becoming discouraged by looking at the promises of the path of the righteous. May our homes and churches become a ground of comfort, encouragement, and blessing. Give me the courage to live honestly even if it is difficult right now. May we receive Jesus, who came to us like rain in a drought, as the Lord of our lives. Raise me when I am weak in tribulation and weary. We pray in the name of Jesus, who gives us strength and courage. Amen
* Hymn: (Chapter 73) I lifted up my eyes and looked all around.
1. I lifted up my eyes and looked all around, it is a mountain, and I am sure that the salvation that helps me comes from where and where the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth, helps me.
2. The Lord watches over me wherever I go, and keeps watch without slumber. He watches over Israel without ceasing.
3. The LORD is my protector, and he keeps me at all times, and covers it with his right wing, so that the sun does not harm him during the day, and the moon does not harm him by night.
4. The Lord protects and takes care of my soul, and relieves me of all my troubles. He keeps me always. From this day forward and forever, the Lord will watch over you going in and out. Amen.