We are all painfully aware of the trials and inconveniences and difficulties which have turned our lives upside down to the point that (if you listen to the media) we will never return to our normal way of life.
Times like these can cause despair, disappointment and depression. These times can, and will, change us. Our challenge as Christians is to not allow despair, disappointment and depression become our norm. We must not allow them to define who we are.
So, who are we? We are the people of promise. If you read the article last week titled, Standing on the Promises, you might remember how the word “promise” is defined. Let me repeat it here:
What is a promise? By definition, a promise is a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. In action a promise is to assure someone that one will definitely do, give, or arrange something; to undertake or declare that something will happen.
So, if we as Christians are a people who cannot be defined by despair, disappointment and depression, we must understand that our God is a God who speaks promise to us and keeps His word. We can depend upon that. When He speaks His word means something. Just as when we make a promise to someone our word should be just as binding.
Now, what is the key word and action which serves to keep us out of despair, disappointment and depression? That word is OVERCOME.
Look at Jesus’ words in Revelation regarding overcoming.
Promises to the overcomer:
“To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5).
“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (Revelation 21:7).
What is interesting, as we look at these promises to those who overcome, is that the trials and tribulations that we must overcome have not been stated as yet in the first two (Revelation 2:7 and 3:5). As the Apostle John continues through the message of the Revelation, he reveals those situations we will need to overcome. And he comes back to the need to overcome in his final words. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (Revelation 21:7).
And there, my brothers and sisters in Christ, is the Promise. There is our inheritance. He has promised that He will be my God, and that I will be His Son. I want to hold onto that with all the might I have in my being. I hope you do also.
Gary
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