TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST FOR EVER: THE TOUGH IN FAITH WILL ALWAYS KEEP ON KEEPING ON – EVEN WHEN ALL THINGS COMES TO A HALT!
“Dear brothers, is your life FULL OF DIFFICULTIES and TEMPTATIONS? Then be HAPPY, 3 for when the way is ROUGH, your PATIENCE has a chance to GROW. 4 So let it GROW, and don’t try to SQUIRM OUT of your problems. For when your PATIENCE is finally in FULL BLOOM, then you will be READY for anything, STRONG IN CHARACTER, FULL AND COMPLETE” James 1:2-4/Living Bible [TLB].
Sometimes doing life by the book and doing the right things as expected in all goodness, may seem unfair in some or many occasions. And when the expected results don’t come, the good decisions that one has made, or is to make, in order to accomplish the intended plans, purposes and pursuits can seem unfounded or elusive. I know the feeling and understand such circumstances. And if that’s your circumstances, God this: God is good and faithful, true and sure to answer you in all MATTERS in His grace and BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus’ stead. Amen.
More so, God is a good arranger, organiser, and is awesome in His goodness, to make all things – the easy and the challenging [difficult], the good and the bad times – work together for our good in His plan, purpose and pursuit, as we ponder over His WORD in our good and bad times, He ensures the effectual working of His assured WORD on our behalf in His grace in Christ Jesus’ stead. Amen.
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] CAUSES ALL THINGS to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose” Romans 8:28/[Ephesians 1:10-11/Amplified].
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it DAY and NIGHT, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful” Joshua 1:8/Amplified.
However, no matter how unfair doing life and doing the right things may seem to you today, know full well that God will eventually meet you at the point of you need. FOR TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST FOREVER. And as long as you keep on keeping up in Faith, and as one with a trusting spirit in God’s faithfulness and to His promises, there is going to be an ANSWER. For being steadfast, diligent, and patient in the grace through faith, God will cause you to have access to our promised inheritance in Him.
“For God is not UNRIGHTEOUS [UNFAITHFUL, UNGRATEFUL] to forget your WORK and LABOUR of love, which ye have SHEWED toward his name, in that ye have MINISTERED to the saints, and DO MINISTER. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same DILIGENCE to the FULL ASSURANCE of hope unto the end: 12 that ye be not SLOTHFUL, but FOLLOWERS of them who through FAITH and PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES” Hebrews 6:10-12/Emphasis Mine.
There is the need to know full well and be assured, that every challenge has an appointed time. That is to say, there is an end-game time and date set to it under the sun, no matter how long it lasts or stays. The Holy Writ indicates that – that the expectation of the one who keeps on keeping up to maintain a right standing with God in trial times will not be cut off, as written:
“For SURELY there is an END; and thine EXPECTATION shall not be CUT OFF” Proverbs 23:8.
When you ARE assured and insured as the Patriarch Abraham in God’s faithfulness to His promises, there will be hope against hope, and your tough times will never last forever; more so, God’s divine intervention will cause all things to work together for your good, your happiness, and peace. So did God with His promise to Abraham. All things eventually came together for a perfect, complete and whole answer to all expectations of God.
“And we know that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28.
“. . . I have made you a FATHER OF MANY NATIONS, BEFORE WHOM HE BELIEVED, even God . . . Who (Abraham) AGAINST HOPE BELIEVED IN HOPE, that he might be a father of many nations . . . being FULLY PERSUADED that, what He (God) had promised, He was ABLE also to PERFORM . . .” Romans 4:17-25.
So today, no matter how much you’ve fought to do the right things, and the journey seems long, or longer, you need to keep on keeping up in faith. For faith is the VICTORY that overcomes all trials of your journey in order to thrive and be more than conquerors over the world system of doing life that has stood in your path of progress and success. Faith, which is the corresponding action on what you believe of God’s WORD, will surely locate you with your expectations, as it is written:
“For WHATSOEVER is BORN of God OVERCOMETH the world: and this is the VICTORY that OVERCOMETH the world, even our FAITH. 5 Who is he that OVERCOMETH the world, but he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God?” 1 John 5:4-5.
THERE MAY BE TOUGH TIMES – BUT TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST FOR EVER. THE TOUGH IN FAITH WILL ALWAYS KEEP ON KEEPING ON, EVEN WHEN ALL THINGS COMES TO A HALT.
I pray that our good and faithful, true and sure God, will keep you in grace and strengthen you courageously and keep you keeping on in faith, in Christ Jesus stead – until your BLESSEDNESS in Him is actualised meaningfully and purposefully.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. 4 And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing . . . 12 Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion)” James 1:2-4, 12-14. (Amplified).
“Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]” 1 Corinthians 10:12-3. Amplified.
“CASTING ALL YOUR CARE upon him; for he CARETH for you. 8 Be SOBER, be VIGILANT; because your ADVERSARY the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 whom RESIST STEDFAST in the FAITH, KNOWING THAT THE SAME AFFLICTIONS ARE ACCOMPLISHED IN YOUR BRETHREN THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. 10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you PERFECT, STABLISH, STRENGTHEN, SETTLE you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” 1 Peter 5:7-11.
“For God is not UNRIGHTEOUS (UNFAITHFUL, UNGRATEFUL) to forget your WORK and LABOUR of love, which ye have SHEWED toward his name, in that ye have MINISTERED to the saints, and DO MINISTER. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same DILIGENCE to the FULL ASSURANCE of hope unto the end: 12 that ye be not SLOTHFUL, but FOLLOWERS of them who through FAITH and PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES” Hebrews 6:10-12/Emphasis Mine.
“Let us HOLD FAST the PROFESSION of our FAITH without wavering; (for He is FAITHFUL that promised;) . . . 35 Cast Not Away therefore your CONFIDENCE, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of PATIENCE, that, after ye have done the WILL of God, ye might RECEIVE the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall LIVE by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who DRAW BACK unto PERDITION; but of them that BELIEVE to the SAVING of the soul” Hebrews 10:23, 35-39.
SUMMARY:
This is a doctrinal-exhortation and pastoral decree built on one central thesis: Endurance through FAITH, PATIENCE, and OBEDIENCE is the only pathway to VICTORY, INHERITANCE, and BLESSEDNESS when life feels unfair or prolonged.
Here are the 7 core pillars of the message:
- THE FOUNDATIONAL DECREE:TOUGH TIMES HAVE AN END
TOUGH TIMES NEVER LAST FOREVER. Every CHALLENGE has an appointed END-GAME time and date under the sun [Proverbs 23:18].
James 1:2-4: DIFFICULTIES and TEMPTATIONS are designed to produce PATIENCE that matures into being COMPLETE and LACKING NOTHING. The TOUGH IN FAITH are those who KEEP ON KEEPING ON even when all things COME TO A HALT.
- THE CHARACTER OF GOD IN DELAY: THE GOOD ARRANGER
God is GOOD, FAITHFUL, TRUE, and SURE [Romans 8:28; Joshua 1:8]. He is the GOOD ARRANGER and ORGANISER who causes ALL THINGS — EASY AND CHALLENGING, GOOD AND BAD TIMES — TO WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD for those who love Him and are called according to His PURPOSE.
Implication: Unfair seasons and “unfounded” decisions are not wasted when one abides in His WORD DAY AND NIGHT.
- THE REQUIRED POSTURE: FAITH + PATIENCE + DILIGENCE
VICTORY is accessed, not by flesh or haste, but by a 3-fold posture:
FAITH: FAITH IS THE VICTORY that overcomes the world system [1 John 5:4-5]. It is the corresponding action to what you believe of God’s WORD.
PATIENCE: PATIENCE OF HOPE is required to avoid becoming like Saul — acting outside God’s timing [Hebrews 6:12].
DILIGENCE: God is not UNRIGHTEOUS to forget your WORK and LABOUR of love [Hebrews 6:10-12]. STEADFASTNESS secures access to your PROMISED INHERITANCE. - THE ABRAHAMIC PATTERN: HOPE AGAINST HOPE
Believers are to be ASSURED and INSURED like Patriarch Abraham [Romans 4:17-21].
CONTRARY TO HOPE, IN HOPE BELIEVED — being FULLY CONVINCED that God is ABLE TO PERFORM what He promised.
Result: All things eventually come together for a perfect, complete ANSWER to God’s expectations.
- THE IDENTITY & REWARD: MORE THAN CONQUERORS
Through FAITH, believers are MORE THAN CONQUERORS over the world system that blocks progress and success [Romans 8:37].
1 Peter 5:7-10: After you have suffered a while, God Himself will PERFECT, ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN, and SETTLE you.
James 1:12: The one who ENDURES trial will receive the VICTOR’S CROWN OF LIFE.
- THE WARNING: RESIST DRAWING BACK
Hebrews 10:35-39: Do not cast away your CONFIDENCE. You have need of PATIENCE to RECEIVE THE PROMISE.
1 Corinthians 10:13: God is FAITHFUL — He will not allow temptation beyond your ability but will provide the WAY OF ESCAPE. DRAWING BACK leads to perdition; BELIEVING leads to saving of the soul.
- THE BENEDICTION: BLESSEDNESS ACTUALISED
The closing prayer is for God to keep, strengthen, and sustain the reader in FAITH until their BLESSEDNESS in Christ Jesus is ACTUALISED meaningfully and purposefully.
1 Peter 5:7: CAST ALL YOUR CARE upon Him, because He CARES for you.
IN ONE LINE
When life by the book feels unfair and results are ELUSIVE, the believers mandate is to KEEP ON KEEPING ON in FAITH and PATIENCE — because GOD, the FAITHFUL ARRANGER, will meet you at your point of need, turn tough times into TESTIMONY, and bring your EXPECTATION to its END-GAME in BLESSEDNESS. AMEN.
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
