I'm often encouraged by the fact that God thinks more of us than we do of ourselves. I mean, look at some of His disciples from the Old Testament. My naturally critical spirit always seems to zoom in on their failures--some quite egregious--and their mistakes. But then God says of them that they are men and women who exercised their faith in Him in such a way that He was pleased. They "gained approval through their faith." His approval!! I hope my heavenly story has wri...tten in the summary: "He pleased Me through the faith he placed in Me. I approve of him and the depth of his faith." And God adds of these men and women--faults and all, known and unknown, named and not named--that they are men and women "of whom the world was not worthy." That's God's Holy Spirit inspired view of those old saints I have a tendency to be critical of. And whose opinion matters, do you think?
And then He uses them to challenge us: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Yes, when we, too--just like they did--find ourselves "encumbered" and "entangled," let us be encouraged to exercise our faith in Him, endure to the end, and gain the same greeting I'm sure that each of those saintly witnesses to God's existence and power and graciousness received--undoubtedly received--"Well done, good and faithful servant." He who knows you best, loves you best, and rejoices even in your mustard seed faith because it says to those around you--"God is real. You should seek Him in the day of trouble. He is faithful. He will use your faith to gain the victory and glorify Himself. He rewards those who diligently seek Him--faults, failures, and all."
And then He uses them to challenge us: "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Yes, when we, too--just like they did--find ourselves "encumbered" and "entangled," let us be encouraged to exercise our faith in Him, endure to the end, and gain the same greeting I'm sure that each of those saintly witnesses to God's existence and power and graciousness received--undoubtedly received--"Well done, good and faithful servant." He who knows you best, loves you best, and rejoices even in your mustard seed faith because it says to those around you--"God is real. You should seek Him in the day of trouble. He is faithful. He will use your faith to gain the victory and glorify Himself. He rewards those who diligently seek Him--faults, failures, and all."
(P.S. And remember that when you start being critical of others who have a deep desire to please Him but make mistakes in the struggle. See them, instead, as God sees them: rejoice in their faith instead of being critical of their faults and failures. God will be pleased.)
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