Holding on even when the tide is high

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
The tides of life are most times very challenging, especially with Satan presenting his ‘juicy solutions’. It takes the indwelling Spirit of God in us and His grace to pull us out when trying times come our way. Apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:12 that “…let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”.

The fear of not being able to get married and ending up without children has forced many ladies to become single parents. There are also those that circumstances (some resulting from moments of indiscretion and yet some from situations totally outside their control) have forced to become single parents. Single parenting is not God’s plan for us and where we can, we must take steps to avoid it.

 Paul warns in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God”.  But a lady may ask, ‘I will be clocking 40 soon and yet no man – how long am I going to wait?’ Our faith can only be tested through trying times and the Scriptures encourage us to put our trust in God no matter the circumstances. The vision is for an appointed time but it will surely come though it tarries (Habakkuk 2:3).
In all things, our trust in God’s judgment should be unshaken. In Daniel 3:16-18, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” That is the hallmark of the Christian faith. We must stand firm even when God appears to be silent.

 Where circumstances have made us single parents, the Lord we serve is faithful and will provide solace and succour. The widow in 2 Kings 4:1-7 feared that her sons would be taken away as slaves because of the debt the late husband owed. But the man of God came her way and she was restored and the debts paid. The vision is for an appointed time but it will surely come though it tarries (Habakkuk 2:3).

 Beloved, we need to keep holding on even when the tide is high. Our Lord has promised that “those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).  Also in Habakkuk 3:17-18 the prophet writes: “Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labour of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation”

 Have a joyful week trusting that the Lord who sent you to this world will provide the grace to please Him always.

 Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S. Igein Isemede