While the Christian life can be full of deliverance and joy, it can also be ruthlessly difficult. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not serving the whole truth. As a byproduct of our broken relationship with creation, we live in a world that requires great endurance. In difficult seasons, it is tempting to turn our affections toward other “saviors”… to grow jaded and cynical. Over the past year alone, you probably have had a handful of opportunities to quit on Jesus and give it all away—but you did not. In fact, you should be encouraged of your presence in this devotional, as it shows testimony to some form of your endurance!
When I think back on my life’s journey, there are certainly seasons of endurance I was called upon. Getting into medical school was anything but smooth sailing for me. I had excelled academically my entire life; however, when it came time to apply for medical school, I was suddenly dealing with unmet expectations, unfamiliar failures, and repetitive rejection. I began to feel defeated, and despite the clarity of calling the Lord had given me, I was in full doubt of the pursuit.
It was then that God gave me a friend who encouraged me with the story of Gideon and the Midianites. As a reference, God had reduced Gideon’s army down to 300 men and commissioned them to take on over 100,000 Midianites—this was so that no man could boast, and the credit of their defeat would unmistakably belong to the Lord.
I remember that story encouraging me so much in that season. It fueled my desire to cling to the Lord and remain in His presence. There is a path made for us to fight to stay on, and thankfully there is a power made available to stay on it. We don’t have to get off the path…we just need to endure! The fuel for this journey is the presence of God. May we all find a way to consistently get into the presence of God so that we may endure the trials.