Dark times test faithful

It is obvious that so many believers are growing weary in these dark days of oppression.

Struggles surround us at every corner and it is hard to stave off the growing fears of uncertainty.

We were told in Scripture that these times would come and test the faithful, but it is becoming difficult to keep standing when darkness is filling the sky.

Fear and lies are tools of the enemy to take your focus from the truth.

When you understand that your hope in Christ is secure, you can cease striving.

Nothing is able to destroy a believer who is holding onto the promises that Jesus died to give.

Your future is secure and is never determined by your circumstance.

Trials that you face are only the wind that brings you closer to God as he equips you for the battles that come against you.

Throughout the Bible, God allowed his people to be taken to the end of their own strength, but yet they were conquerors over all that came against them.

It was in the lion’s den that Daniel watched as his God shut the mouths of the lions and brought him safely out.

The three Jewish boys were bound and thrown into the furnace for refusing to bow in worship to Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3).

Yet it was in the fire that they came face to face with the son of God who protected them from harm and even the smell of smoke.

Young David ran against the giant, Goliath, in the power of the God in whom he trusted. He never doubted that his God could save him as he killed the Philistine with just a stone.

King Hezekiah cried out to his God for help when the Assyrian army was surrounding his people on all sides. He had no power to battle this mighty army but his God did.

We are told in 2 Kings 19:35, “That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning — there were all dead bodies!”

It was God who fought their battle and saved them.

When you are in Christ, you are a force to be reckoned with.

Friends, you must understand that no trial you face is ever hopeless.

You don’t need to run from your problems; you just need to turn to your God.

Never lose faith when you get to the end of your ability, for it is at that point that you discover the all-encompassing power of God.

The enemy may prowl around seeking to rob you of your joy, but he can never steal the future that was paid by the cross of Christ.

All of your momentary trials are working out a divine purpose to prepare you for the royalty that awaits you in eternity.

Your painful situation is before the eyes of God and has a time for it to end.

He has not left you for a second.

Scripture tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

We are living in a time like no other.

We are watching as wars, famines, floods, severe weather, poverty, sickness of all kinds of evil are permeating this entire world.

The hearts of many have grown cold as evil and violence are increasing and all forms of perversions are becoming common.

The only hope we have is the enduring love of Christ, who will never fail.

He is called faithful and true and he is coming soon to gather those who love him.

Marianne Lordi attends Old North Church in Canfield.