Things to Fall Back On

Walking with the Lord is hard.  When we purpose in our hearts to be obedient to the Lord, exactly where we are, doing what we do, there will be trouble.  I am fully convinced that if we take it to the next step, where we change what we are doing to allow more of the Lord in our lives, or serve Him in a greater capacity, there will be more trouble.  I am also fully convinced that if we endeavor to do all of that in a place we do not know, a place or situation that is unfamiliar to us, there will be even more trouble.  I am learning this: that each step that requires greater faith, will be met with even greater resistance.  Sometimes the resistance comes from within, as the result of my own flesh, and other times it comes from outside.  When I am blinded by the flash-bang grenades of the resistance (in whatever form), I need to have things to fall back on.  I need to be able to just close my eyes and say, "Lord, I know You are right here with me...and I trust You." 

So this morning, when I awoke, discouraged and doubting yet again, I needed to do just that.  The Lord met me in that place, and told me to read Jeremiah 31-33.  Most mornings I barely get through a chapter, but today I had to read three.  I know these chapters are speaking to Israel, but as gentile believers, we are grafted in, and therefore heirs of the promises.  For that I am thankful.  Here are a few of the words that spoke to me this morning:

Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. --Jer. 31:3

Hear the word of the LORD, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, 'He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.' For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of one stronger than he. --Jer. 31:10-11

Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all. --Jer. 31:12

Thus says the LORD: "Refrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORD, And they shall come back from the land of the enemy. --Jer. 31:16

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul. --Jer. 31:25

No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. --Jer. 31:34

Then I knew that this was the word of the LORD.  --Jer. 32:8

Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. --Jer. 32:17

You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. --Jer. 32:19

Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? --Jer. 32:27

They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. --Jer. 32:38-39

For thus says the LORD: "Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them." --Jer. 32:42

 And I could go on and on...there's so much more, but that's enough for today.  I'll need more encouragement tomorrow too!