By MYRA D. COLGATE
CHEROKEE PENTECOSTAL HOLINESS CHURCH
“Keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, for the joy set out for him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Think of him who endured such opposition against himself by sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls and give up.
“You have not resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin.
“And have you forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as sons? “My son, do not scorn the Lord’s discipline or give up when he corrects you.
“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts.”
“Endure your suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is there a father does not discipline?
“But if you do not experience discipline, something all sons have shared in, then you are illegitimate and are not sons.
“Besides, we have experienced discipline from our earthly fathers and we respected them, shall we not submit and receive life?
“For they disciplined us for a little while as seemed good to them, but he does so for our benefit, that we may share in his holiness.” Hebrews 12:2-10 (GSB)
It is true that all discipline is painful at the time, not joyful, but all who are to be trained by it, receive peace and righteousness. Be strong in going through what is ahead, so it can strengthen the grip of one’s hands and can keep the knees strong in moving forward as the paths for each foot are made straight. This is so that what is lame, may not be put out of joint, but instead may be healed.
Discipline can be used to train and strengthen them for the race, or for the battle, when there is a storm of life to be gotten through. May each one become a successful prayer warrior.
Without opposition there would not be much opportunity to learn what might be necessary to achieve a given goal or a skill set that may be needed later on. Life should be experienced first as a test to learn the right way to go through it—and attitude is always important to any successful journey.
Jesus promises to accompany us in any trial we must go through. Knowing that we are never alone in any worthwhile endeavor can be of great benefit and value. Looking at whatever one is facing, as a good training field, and if the attitude is good, it allows us to learn what is necessary to complete and finish successfully. Taking our eyes off the One whose example we can follow or the goal we are heading towards, could bring disaster. Allow no distractions in focusing correctly, or one might easily be prevented from reaching the desired goal.
There is little time for deviating from the chosen pathway if the person wants to reach the goalposts just up ahead. Just as the LORD told Moses, I know you by name, and also you have found favor in my sight. My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Moses said to the LORD, “If your presence does not go with us, do not take us up from here.” (Perhaps, this very same request should be good for us to make as well.)
As the pathway can only be seen ahead to the very next curve or crossroads, it seems best for there to be someone else to go with us. It should be one who already knows the way to go so we can trust we’re on the right path.
We can trust the LORD as He knows the way and sees what is ahead in the future, too. He really is the One we need so that we won’t have to take any detours or make any wrong choices to get where we need to be in moving forward. Why would we trust only ourselves in this?
Those around us who are watching, might also question us since they had thought we were alone. Yet, they may have noticed that we were still able to make good decisions. Perhaps we could tell them about who is really with us. They might even choose to ask Him to go with them, too. Don’t be selfish when someone needs a useful answer that one might give to them.
