FAITH CAPSULE: Challenges comes with answering to God’s calling.
2 Timothy 2
It is written, “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:3-4) As a believer that is called by God for heaven’s assignment, the called one shall answer as a soldier of Jesus with no escape from challenges. It is not an error to call challenges, hardship or affliction as identity of a believer who walks in line with God. Challenges comes with answering to God’s calling, but it is certain that called shall become an overcomer by focusing on God the only Caller of man. However, no matter how challenges persist, believers indeed and in truth shall never be in line to fail, fall or falter. God who calls man is more than able to keep and deliver those that are called. This is not to say a believer should go out and begin to look for troubling challenges where there is none. Without doubt, it is for a believer to know and be encouraged that the challenge of today is nothing above God who is above.
Jeremiah is one of God called but challenges were not separated from his calling. God called Jeremiah for a divine assignment and warned Jeremiah, “They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you. For I am with you,” says the Lord, “to deliver you.””(Jeremiah 1:19) By God’s warning for Jeremiah, God’s calling does not give immunity against the fight of wicked ones (challenges). When God calls there will be fighting to put up against the enemy. However, those that are truly called shall never be defeated by the enemy.
Has he called you and challenges have been roughing you in your journey of life? The remarkable thing is that God is God and He will always have His way. God could have called Jeremiah for a challenge or trouble-free assignment, but He chooses not to. God is the same God yesterday, today and forever. Same God that backed Jeremiah up against all which fought against Jeremiah is certain to back you up. Challenges, afflictions and hardship are always going to show when God calls but the called ones should know that many are the afflictions of the righteous in the journey of life, but God shall deliver in all. (Psalm 34:19)
In life, it is not enough to answer God’s calling but fail to finish the assignment of calling. Certainly, know that you are called by God not by man. In your knowing, gain understanding that, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Challenges will come, and you shall be delivered.
Prayer for today: Ask for God’s grace to enable your calling by God.