Beloved,
In these challenging times, the Lord reaches out to you with a touch of strength, boldness, and patient endurance. Abide in His presence, for He is your fortress and salvation. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid.
Walk in His Strength
“Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6). Remember, greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Let the strength of the Lord be your confidence. “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). His power is made perfect in weakness; therefore, rest in Him, that His strength may dwell in you richly.
Abide in Boldness and Love
Perfect love casts out fear. Let us then approach the throne of grace with boldness (Hebrews 4:16), so we may receive mercy and find grace in time of need. In Him, we have boldness and confident access through faith (Ephesians 3:12). Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord. Let your light shine before others, so they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Embrace Patient Endurance
You have need of patient endurance, so after you have done the will of God, you may receive what He has promised (Hebrews 10:36). Do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward (Hebrews 10:35).
Consider Job, who said, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). Let perseverance finish its work, so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4).
Be patient, then, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains (James 5:7). Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1), throwing off everything that hinders.
“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride” (Ecclesiastes 7:8). Through trials, we develop perseverance; perseverance builds character; and character gives us hope (Romans 5:3-4). Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (Romans 12:12).
Hold Fast to the Promise
This is what He promised us—eternal life. Do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward (Hebrews 10:35). Be faithful, even to the point of death, and He will give you the crown of life. Remember His words: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Purify yourselves, just as He is pure, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
Remain in Him
Abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (1 John 2:28). The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. By this, we know we belong to the truth and set our hearts at rest in His presence.
May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance (2 Thessalonians 3:5). “Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience” (Colossians 1:11). Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11).
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.