Thursday, February 06, 2014

Button Up Your Overcoat of God's Word

This winter has been colder than usual. The temperatures below freezing have been wicked. And with the wind blowing more than normal, the cold cuts right through you when you’re outside. Without the proper outerwear it’s really rough. It’s hard to enjoy anything when it’s so cold. I guess people could just stay inside and wait for spring. But that’s not living.

Winter comes around every year. Some are worse than others. Troubles come too. Disappointments, discouragements, rejection show up without fail. There can be high electric bills, high tempers and high hopes that get dashed in the cold face of reality. The chill of things going wrong cuts right through our hearts and pretty soon we’re thinking we’ll just quit living. It’s too cold and the winds of adversity reach all the way to the heart.

Fortunately, we believers are made for winter and every other season that comes our way. We can meet the chill and wind head on because God has given us preparation for it all. We’ve been given complete protection from damage when we have to go out and face life that’s not always good. We just can’t go out alone without our covering. But covered by the Word of God and sheltered by the Holy Spirit our hearts stay warm and our lives keep moving even in the harshest of winter times.

Not only that, we can rejoice for we know that while winter may be present spring will return. We have a hope that does not disappoint. We have a Savior who never quits caring. We have a God who has given us all we need and we have the Holy Spirit to remind us whenever we want to quit believing and quit living.

Oh beloved, if you’re facing the cold alone it’s time to return to the Lord and let Him cover you with His Word! If you’re ready to quit and hide from life’s storms, it’s time to remember who you are in Christ. Read all the precious promises. Read the wonderful triumphant assurances. Wear them regally for they are the clothing of royalty. No child of the King is ever meant to go out in the cold without covering. You are blessed, you are chosen, and you are redeemed.

Stop looking at the weather and rehearsing the problems and put on the garment of praise and the covering of Truth! You are not just enduring; you will triumph over this winter time. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s why you can sing His praises and rehearse His promises all the way to heaven’s door.

Psalm 34:1-2 I will extol the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Psalm 121:8 The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever.

Isaiah 55:12 For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Psalm 5:11-12 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread Your protection over them, that all who love Your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with Your shield of love.

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