Just this morning, I was listening to Nancy Leigh DeMoss's May podcast about Christ ruling over all creation and was so encouraged that I wanted to share it with you. She has been taking us on a journey through the book of Joshua and Joshua had just had many victories over cities in southern Canaan (Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, Debir, the hill country and the Negeb, from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza, and all the country of Goshen to Gibeon). He also placed 5 Amorite kings in a cave with a huge stone placed in front of the cave with a guard in front to guard the cave while he fought in battle. Later, he came back and had them lay down on the ground and had his men place their feet on their necks (indicating victory over their enemies) and then kill them. Christ is our conquering king! He is our Joshua. He is leading us in this battle of life and has conquered our enemies (sin and death). At the cross, He conquered sin and death. He is now sitting (indicating that He is not anxious) at the right hand of the Father and ruling over ALL things. His enemies are His footstool (indicating victory). When the Father says that it is time for Him to return, He will once and for all have all His enemies under His feet. From this I am reminded of Genesis 3:15, Colossians 1:15-23, and Hebrews 4:14-16 (although it is helpful to read Hebrews 3-5:10 in is entirety to get the entire context). I hope that as you pursue your relationship with Christ and put to death the sins for which you are battling you are encouraged that Christ is interceding in our behalf as our High Priest before the Father for us, the battle has been won, God is in control of all things, and Christ IS reigning on the throne NOW! Be encouraged, fight the battle, put to death those sins for which you struggle (without holiness no one will see the Lord), and put your confidence in Christ who has gone before us and fought this battle for us. Do not lose hope and grow weary in well-doing. Persevere in Christ and praise Him today.
I write all of this because recently we have had a lot of trials in our own lives and need to be reminded of this great news that Christ is reigning over all and God is in control of all things. Just this year our unborn baby died, I have to have weekly hcg tests and then monthly tests for a year (reminding me weekly of our loss and of the fear of cancer in my own life), we have some dear friends with terminal cancer, we have had financial difficulties, the Lord has made clear some sins in my own heart that I need to put to death, we have struggled with a lack contentment in our lives, and a list of many other things. Our goal in life is to glorify God in all things and to enjoy Him forever and He is just using these circumstances to conform us to the image of His Son. If this is what it takes to make us more like Christ then I pray that I will gladly accept what He brings our way. Blessed be the Lord, He gives and He takes away, Blessed be His name!
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