Aug. 3, 2008 - Overcoming in the Strain of the Moment
"I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" John 16:33
Praise God for these words! What awesome peace they give us in the midst of everyday life.
Oswald Chambers writes in one of his most meaningful devotions for me:
"The typical view of the Christian life is that it means being delivered from all adversity. But it actually means being delivered in adversity, which is something very different."
"God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life, liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength."
On this day, six years ago in Pakistan, I was reading this devotion from "My Utmost for His Highest". In the column I wrote, "I am feeling the strain today . . ." Little did I know how much I was going to feel the strain in the next few days and weeks to come! It was two days before armed gunmen attacked the school where we were living and serving as boarding parents for missionary kids. (I will write more about that later.) No matter how great the strain, we are able, as God's children, to hide in Christ and know His peace.
I love the following words by Oswald:
"If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength. God never gives us strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only for the strain of the moment."
After all, He is the great I AM.
| 
