God of Endurance and Harmony

In this life, storms come and go. It is easy to lose hope and endurance to live. Often, we find ourselves in a world that does not encourage life.  We lose the will to continue on because of the rocky soil, the weeds that try to choke us. And even the sustenance of water is lacking. How can we continue?  This verse brings me hope.

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus.  Romans 15:5.

What can keep us going, and then I hear these words, but none says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night? ‘ Job 35:10.

         You make known to me the path of life; in your presence, there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11. God’s presence is with us every moment, and He gives us songs in the night.

         Paul and Silas sang songs in the night. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25. Then came the earthquake and the cell doors opened. The jailer, fearing for his life, checked, and then believed in God. Others hear our songs of Joy.

         Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1:17.

         The essence of God is Love, and because of His great Love, He gives us gifts. The first gift is He breathed his breath into the bodies He creates.  We have a physical side and a spiritual side. He gives gifts of contentment, peace, joy, and rest. And with these gifts, we are commanded to love others by being patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful, and showing self-control. These spiritual gifts come because of His love for us and only when we live for Him.

         An out of tune instrument is difficult to hear, and an in-tune instrument brings joy because of the harmony it creates. This is true of a group of people who live together in the same area when they are spiritually out of tune.

         What causes disharmony among people? There are no ‘out-of-tune’ people when they follow instruction in God’s Word. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:12-15

            Forgiveness is on the other side of the Coin of Love. Love with forgiveness is what brings everything together in perfect harmony.  

         Only God can bring about harmony that brings peace. He is One with His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  Their One-ness brings joy to our hearts. Jesus taught, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”  John 17:20-23.

         How can we ‘endure’ from day to day?  First of all, is knowing we are not alone.  Father God and Jesus walk with us.  The Holy Spirit lives within us. Second, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  I Thessalonians 5:17-18.

         Third, Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4.

         The promises are real! 

         Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering.

 produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:1-5

         But what do I do when a storm comes?  Remember this: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4.

         But no one notices, and I feel all alone!  Even as Paul and Silas were heard in the jail and when we trust God and constantly think on His Word, these verses come to me. I think of a huge stadium filled with witnesses watching and cheering us on.  We are never alone!

         Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2.

         He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.”    Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!  Revelations 22:20.