If we make a commitment to God, and then turn back to the world, we are not fit for His Kingdom (Luke 9:62). Jesus promised that if we are faithful to Him, even in prison and death, He will give us the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Our suffering, though it may be prolonged in earthly time, is just a short time of testing compared to eternity.
As we obey His commandments, faithfully walk in His statutes, and love, and serve Him with our whole heart and soul, we are righteous and will surely live with Him forever and ever (Deuteronomy 11:13; Ezekiel 18:9). When we remember the great blessings God does for us, we honor Him and continually serve Him in truth with all our heart (1 Samuel 12:24; 2 Chronicles 19:9).
God always has a remnant in every generation of people who put Him first in their life, and honor Him and consult Him in all their ways (Ezekiel 48:11; Proverbs 3:5-6). He strengthens us because He considers us as His faithful servants (1 Timothy 1:12; 1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Praying without ceasing keeps us in the center of His will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Even when we are faithless, God remains faithful to us and does not leave or forsake us. If we keep our faith in Him, deny our self, and endure life’s hardships, we will live and reign with Him. However, if we deny Him, He will also deny us (Hebrew 10:36; 2 Timothy 2:11-13). He calls us to persevere and to keep His commandments (Revelation 14:12).
Living faithfully to the promises and vows we make allows God to help us to live up to them (Psalm 22:25, 61:8). However, we should never vow a pledge that we do not intend to maintain or cannot keep (Numbers 30:2; Jonah 2:9). If we pray about issues before we make a promise, we are more likely to follow God’s peace in our spirit (Deuteronomy 23:21-23).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for considering us as faithful and trustworthy stewards of Your mysteries (1 Corinthians 4:1-2). Your Word admonishes us to pay attention to the public reading, exhortation, and teaching of Your Word, and not to neglect the spiritual gifts You gave us to use for Your Kingdom. Help us to take these seriously and to be engaged in them for Your glory (1 Timothy 4:13-16).
We do not want to be deceived by empty, worldly philosophy, but to avoid arguments that are contrary to Your Word and falsely acclaimed as enlightenment and knowledge (1 Timothy. 6:20). Contrarily, we want to cling to Your sound words of truth that came to us through the faith and love of Jesus Christ, and to allow Your Spirit within us to guard us as well as the treasure of Your truth that You entrusted to us (2 Timothy 1:13-14).
Thoughts for the Day:
We are wise to maintain our faithfulness and to keep the vows that we make to God and others. Through God’s Spirit within us, every authentic Born Again Believer is capable of sharing God’s Word whether through planned opportunities or surprising divine appointments that come to us on various occasions. God’s Word encourages us to reprove, rebuke, and exhort others with great patience and by His Spirit’s direction.
– 2 Timothy 4:1-2
