The Gates of Hell

So, whatever you do, don't go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that's coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36)

It's more important than my IRA or 401-K. It's more important than my job, my house, my comfort or my peace. If the loss of my child, my 401-k or anything in this world would cause me to give up on Jesus or to have diminished trust in Him then it is best for me to face that truth sooner than later. The most important part of life is our faith which is dependent on the quality of our relationship with Jesus, the Christ.

Ideally, God wants each of us to have peace, joy and prosperity. Loss, however, may be what we actually need. The loss of money, relationship or health may be the best thing that could happen because it might be a wake-up call that would rouse us from a false, drowsy security. It could reveal a false or shallow faith and give a chance to find a genuine or deeper faith.

It is not reasonable to think one can trust Jesus for the unknown beyond death when that same person is unable to trust and follow Jesus in this life. God is kind in all His doings and will never crush a weak faith. If we have even a feeble faith, God will work in such a way that it will stand and grow. But, if our faith is false and depends on our comfort, it should and will crumble. And, the sooner -- the better. If the quality of my faith is contingent on the condition of my spouse, stock portfolio, or stomach, that faith is either too frail and needs to grow or it is a facade with which I fool myself.

Lord, please reveal anything or anyone, other than you, which has become a false foundation of life. Let each of us know where we are depending on sand rather than You -- the Rock. Lord, life is scary. Please, help each of us to more and more focus on you even as the high waves and fierce winds of this life sometimes threaten to overwhelm us. Take me, our family, our church family, and our nation beyond a weak or false faith that is contingent on comfort and having things "our way". Grow our faith into a strong, vibrant and active force that tears down the gates of hell and lets Your light shine into the dark places of this world.

The Lord is just in all His ways and kind in all His doings. (Ps 145:17)