Proverbs 2:8 He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.
Pope Francis wrote in his book, Happiness in this life, “A saint that is sad, is a sad excuse for a saint.” He also wrote, “A gloomy disciple, is a disciple of gloom.”
As believing saints and disciples in Christ, we should be the happiest people on earth. By the grace of God, we who are the saints of our Lord can bring hope to those who have lost their way in this ever-changing world. After all, we do have the Godhead living within our being, and the ability to be a heavenly-encouragement. These Godly blessings should be flowing out of our lives. Philemon 1:7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.
Sometimes, we, the saints of the Lord, can become battle-weary and begin to lose the vision that was once clear and attainable in our hearts. Tiredness in our soul can affect our faith and walk with God. Therefore, we have to choose to turn our faith back on. Gal. 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
It is not up to your pastor, spouse, friend, or leader to get your faith working again – it is up to you and God. Where the aforementioned people can be helpful, is after you have chosen to turn your faith back on. Once you have prayed and asked God for help and strength, God can use these people to spark your soul into a faith-filled life.
God instructed Samuel the prophet to anoint David as the future king of Israel. David had conquered and killed the giant Goliath. He was on the heavenly fast-track for kingdom promotion. He was married to King Saul’s daughter and living the good life in the palace. What could go wrong? Everything went wrong. David was falsely accused of treason and conspiracy to take the kingdom from Saul. He ended up hunted and running for his life. Now, having to live in caves and on the outskirts of villages in the hillsides, he had become a fugitive.
David must have prayed to God, and said, “I thought Samuel said I would be the king of Israel. I must have misunderstood. What did I do to deserve all this calamity in my life?” David had to encourage himself in the Lord and decide to turn his faith back on. He travelled to the town of Nob, and there, he was given Goliath’s sword. 1 Sam. 21:9 “The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here, wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want to take it for yourself, then take it, for there isn’t another one here.” “There’s none like it!” David said. “Give it to me.”
God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Just as David’s faith needed encouragement, God reminded him of who he was, and that his future was still in God’s hands. The sword David used to cut off Goliath’s head was a timely reminder of all the victories that David had gone through.
David also remembered that the prophecies that had been spoken over him were still true and an inspiration to turn his faith back on. He was walking through the wilderness of his life, but God met him and reminded him of the vision and promise for his life. Now, David could say with courage. Psalm 63:9 But those who intend to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the power of the sword; they will become a meal for jackals.
If gloominess and sadness have replaced your saintly shout in the Lord, then turn your faith back on. God knows what you need and that your strength will come through the joy of the Lord and faith in His name. Neh. 8:10b For the joy of the LORD is your strength.
What have you let go of that was once the vision of God for your life? How have you let the circumstances of life take your call, strength, and ministry away from the forefront of your mind and spirit? Turn your faith back on and get with God’s eternal vision for your life.
We can count on God to preserve the dreams He sowed in our hearts when He created us. As saints in the Lord, we stay on the path God has laid out for us so that our life’s purpose may be fulfilled. Prov. 2:8 He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints. There will be times when we fail, but our faith in the Lord can lift us above the failure and put the shout of victory back in our hearts.
As saints in Christ, we can help many overcome the sadness that is prevalent in this world. May our God remind us of the giants we have slain and the victories we have won in the Lord’s name. Yes, we are more than conquerors, through Christ, who gives us the victory. Amen!
Thank you for this reminder I needed today! I often forget the "giants I have already slain". 💪🏻