It was a sunny and warm spring morning. I got up half an hour earlier than usual and headed outside to walk and enjoy a quiet time with the Lord. This was not "easy" for me to do (being both a "indoorsy" person and a night owl), but it was worth it…the Lord always rewards the sacrifices we make for Him, however small they may seem to us. I came back in by 8:00 a.m. for our family Bible reading, feeling encouraged and ready to face the day.
All went great for a while. We had breakfast and did some school work together, then got the mail. But the next thing I knew, I was feeling really irritated about something (it was so minor I can't even remember what triggered it!) ...and then Daddy didn't like the way I'd sorted and washed the eggs so I had to do them over again ...and we couldn't get Daddy and Mother's e-mail address to work ...and a dozen other little things came up ....and before I knew it I was snapping angry words at my family.
It's so frustrating to have a day start out "just right" and then go downhill so quickly. I ask, did it really do any good for me to make the extra effort to seek the Lord that morning, when I totally blew everything the first chance I got? I quickly become impatient with myself; sometimes I feel like throwing in the towel and not even trying to seek the Lord.
But then He reminds me that His grace is sufficient — that He will not ask me to do anything without also providing the power to obey. That same morning He led me to read 2 Peter 1:3 — "According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue…" (emphasis mine). Another very encouraging verse is 1 Cor. 10:13 — "...God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Wow.
Satan is the one who wants me to give up in discouragement: it is one of his most subtle deceptions. I turn to him and say "Get thee behind me, Satan!" (Mat. 16:23). I "have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin" (Heb. 12:4). In the Lord's strength I will keep on keeping on, "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Tim. 2:3).
Yes, it is worthwhile to seek God. Yes, He will help me if I will only lean on Him. Yes, He forgives all those who repent. He always gives us a fresh start.
Praise the Lord for His mercies which are new every morning!! Great is His faithfulness!!
Joyfully HIS,
