At times in our Christian walk—while we’re contending for the faith, while laboring to enter God’s rest, running the race with patience, keeping our tongues from evil and our hearts from worldly cares, while we’re resisting the enemy and staying ever watchful for the return of our Bridegroom—we can lose our sense of God’s power that keeps us.
Leastways, I can. And evidently still do because the Lord recently reminded me of the time when I, as a new believer, wanted—no, desperately needed—to know His thoughts regarding my spiritual progress. I’d been hammering Him for days (more like weeks), with questions like; “How am I doing?”, “Am I doing okay?”. Like an eager student seeking affirmation from their teacher, I sought a pat on my head from my Teacher. His assurance that I was indeed doing well is what I thought I needed.
“You’re being kept,” was His only response.
His words, though surprisingly few, brought my anxious thoughts that day to a screeching halt. Yet, there was no sting of rebuke in them. There was power. Comfort. Security. Like a gust of wind to a boat’s limp sails, His words uplifted me, shifting me back to my place of rest—in Him.
A few years ago, He did it again. A different message this time, but the same boost to my spirit, the same shift in my soul. My husband Bill and I were making ready for his upcoming back surgery and the recovery process that would follow when a woman gave me this prophetic word out of Isaiah; . . . you who have been borne by Me from your birth, carried from the womb; Even to your old age I am He, and even to hair white with age will I carry you. I have made, and I will bear; yes, I will carry and will save you (vs. 3–4).
Okay, so He saw the white beneath my hair color. But might I just say that no matter what our age, when our faith is being refined in the fiery crucible of trials and afflictions, when we’re feeling the strain of our frailties and weaknesses—it is good to know we are being kept and carried by the Lord. It’s that sweet spot where His strength and power are perfected (showing themselves most effective) in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP). John Piper so eloquently explains it like this; “God’s design is to make you a showcase for Jesus’ power." I am comforted to know that at my weakest point I can become the display case that manifests the power of Someone far stronger than myself. Is there any greater consolation than that?
The Faithful and True One, the Author and Finisher of our faith has full confidence in the power of His shed blood and resurrection completing the work of salvation in us (Revelation 19:11; Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6). We are kept (guarded, garrisoned) by God’s power through [your] faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready, waiting to be revealed at the climax of the ages (1 Peter 1:5; Ephesians 1:10).
Life is a wild ride at times. But hold on. Keep the faith. Our Strong One is buckled into the seat with us.