Modern Psalms: Coming Through in Perseverance
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.
All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (Corinthians 4:8-18, NIV)
Dear Lord,
I thank you for who you are each and every second, minute, and day that you continue to prove yourself through. You are an unchanging God who loves me in every heart-condition and I am unbelievably blessed. You fight for me when I cannot bear to face things myself and you come to my defense when I cannot even bring myself to stand. You are always at my right hand ready to teach me, love me, and show me how to persevere.
Because of sin, the world in which I live is so imperfect and looks as if it is falling apart at times. The chaos is overwhelming, but what you are teaching me is that when the chaos is abounding and I am overwhelmed, to cling to you and I will find peace. I’ve been living in this lifestyle for 5 years, seeing your work mysteriously and graciously by example, and it has saved me in every way.
When I cling to you, I feel like I am in the safest place that exists. When I cling to you, I discover perspective, hope, and clarity. You are my magnifying glass into all the things that my human mind can not begin to understand. You love me and it is visible in the sincerity and the grace that you show me even when I turn away. You welcome me with open arms and love me in any condition I am in.
It is through your counsel and love that I have learned to persevere through the many trials that face me in this world of imperfection. I have learned that if I always keep you present in my heart, that you will be seen by all who see me.
You are my identity and heaven is my home. It is only with you that I can be hard pressed on every side and succeed without fail. It is only with you that I can experience true victory, through the blood that was shed for my sin. It is only in Jesus that I can persevere.
When I try to function outside of you, oh God, it is almost as if I face failure from every angle. I cannot do anything wholeheartedly apart from you, my Savior, my Redeemer, and my strength. It is in you that I find myself, and in all your strength and character that I have become the person, I am today.
1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (NIV)
You have brought me out into the light, called me your own, and molded me into who I am today. I am ready to continue to learn in growing in your unmatched presence, my beautiful Father.
In your name I pray,
Amen.
