How do we not lose heart when everything around us seems like it’s being destroyed? We turn on the news, we see violence. We tune in to the political arena, we see division and deception. Our world is changing, things look different.
Where are we to look? Look up! “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Psalm 121: 2)
The apostle Paul was attempting to tell his listeners, “Through God’s mercy, we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.” (2 Corinthians 4: 1)
- When God commissions His servants, He provides them the strength to persevere in hardships and persecutions.
- Doing the will of God will produce hardships and persecutions.
I would be lying to you if I said, “All will be well as a follower of Jesus.” Attacks and obstacles will arise, but the power of an overcomer is inside of us. The Lion of Judah resides there.
As Paul is finishing his message he says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4: 17)
- Every obstacle is a light and momentary trouble when compared with eternity.
How do we stay focused when life happens? God provided the answer. “We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4: 17-18)
- Fixing our eyes on the unseen is activating our faith.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11: 1) (Taken from 2 Corinthians 4: 1-5: 10, Paraphrased & Modified)
Let’s not lose heart but rather hear God’s heart. He is speaking through his prophet Micah saying, “My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me. I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam.” (Micah 6: 3-4)
How can our heart change to hear and obey God’s heart? “To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
He continues, “Listen! The Lord is calling to the city and to fear your name is wisdom.” (Micah 6: 9) (Taken from Micah 6, Paraphrased & Modified)
Yes, the Lord is calling to the cities, He’s calling to the nations. His chosen people, the nation of Israel, continued to worship other gods. “To this day they persist in their former practices.” (2 Kings 17: 34)
God continues to say from His heart, then and now, “Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the Lord your God; it is He who will deliver you from the hand of your enemies.” (2 Kings 17: 38-39)
How does this apply to us today? Worship with all of our heart.
- When we worship the Lord with all of our heart, we won’t lose heart. We expand our heart because we gain His heart. (Taken from 2 Kings 17, Paraphrased & Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
You can find all of the Unbroken Love series posts by clicking the button below.
