“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God,'” (Luke 9:62 NLT) and Jesus said “The fields are already white for harvest” (John 4:35) and 1 Corinthians 9:10 speaks of plowing in hope….

When things transpire in ways that we can’t fully understand, we need to keep faith in the goodness of God and the things which He has planned.

Sometimes we become focused on bad news or a loss, instead of meditating on Jesus’ victory over Satan through the cross.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.  Fully trust in Jesus, and don’t be unnerved by the devil’s grandstanding.

He wants you to contemplate disasters that he has brought about–thereby building up unbelief and causing you to doubt.

And to fuel your fears, he’ll get you to dwell on those things that seem fearful.  He doesn’t want you to “count it all joy” or, with the joy of the Lord, to be cheerful.

Joseph of the Old Testament was stalwart in keeping faith in God, whose hand was kept upon him through the difficult pathways he trod.

God sent an angel to the apostle Paul, who was on a ship that was in a fierce storm, to reassure him and the others on board when troubles continued to form.

Jesus kept faith in His Father while carrying out what He’d asked Him to do.  For the joy ahead that He “saw,” He trusted God’s guidance to help Him through.

Just as a farmer, despite a rain shower, may continue to work in the field, let’s plow on through, with faith in God, knowing the profit which that will yield.

And if circumstantial “rains” get too rough, we’ll find shelter in Jesus’ name.  It’s the high tower for the safety of those for whom He came….

all those who believe in and have put their faith firmly and forever in Him!  As we follow the Light of the World, our own lights in this world will not dim.

P. A. Oltrogge

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 14:10-12 NKJV

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4 NKJV

“…Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 (Sometimes we may weep with those who weep (Romans 12:14-16); but, overall, our Abba, Father, sustains us.)

“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Galatians 4:6 NIV

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Romans 8:15 NKJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 NKJV

“But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.'” Matthew 14:27 NKJV

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV

“When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

“You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:11-15 NLT

“Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 RSV

“For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.”  Psalm 61:3 NKJV

A Psalm of David: ¹ Praise the Lord, who is my rock.
    He trains my hands for war
    and gives my fingers skill for battle.
² He is my loving ally and my fortress,
    my tower of safety, my rescuer.
He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.
    He makes the nations submit to me.” Psalm 144:1-2 NLT

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10 NKJV

“While He (Jesus) was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official (Jairus), saying, ‘Your daughter has died, why trouble the Teacher anymore?’ But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.’” (from Mark 5:35-36 NASB)

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 NKJV (spoken by Joseph, to his brothers)

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12 NKJV (and believers are lights to the world, as stated in Matthew 5:14-16)