The Good Fight
July 28, 2024
Dr. Paul Cannings
Before the West Indies Baptist Conference began this past week, a category four hurricane impacted some of the islands and a category one for us. Added to that was a worldwide cyber attack that made airline travel a horrendous experience; then came the rain. You ask yourself why the Lord would allow so much to occur when we intensely seek to execute His kingdom plan.
Sarah could have asked such a question, especially since everyone else around her was allowed to have a child. I can’t imagine how she may have felt when Hagar became pregnant. Moses could ask this question, especially when he didn’t even ask for the job he was given. Job, who was called a righteous man by God, struggled with this question. Daniel was an obedient servant of the Lord, only to go through one trial after another.
There are times when God’s dreams take us to dry wells and slave markets, and even when we do not do wrong, they take us to prison, like in the case of Joseph. What we must learn is that God’s providence is at work in the midst of Satan’s attacks (Ephesians 6:10-13; Revelation 12:10), and God only rewards faith (Hebrews 11:6). Everyone in the ‘Hall of Faith’ was not spared trouble; they kept the faith. Because they choose to obey God rather than their feelings, fears, and anxieties, it worked out for His good and their blessings (Romans 8:28). The good is not just earthly benefits but also the perfecting of their character (James 1:2-4), so that no matter what Satan’s schemes may be nothing deterred them from accomplishing God’s plan for their lives and His glory (2 Corinthians 2:11; 4:7-12; 11:21-29; ). For these reasons and more, it is critical that we keep growing spiritually (1 John 4:4) and continually mature in Christ so that His strength in us keeps our armor on (Ephesians 6:13-18).
The hardest thing in raising a child is to trust our direction when all they know and feel influences them to believe we don’t know what we are doing. When they choose to listen and allow an excellent parent to shape their lives, they thank us and call us their heroes. The ‘Hall of Faith’ are God’s heroes who praised Him for their earthly blessings and His reward for them in heaven forever (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).
“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course; I have kept the faith; in the future, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8; NASU)