by Pastor Mark Moreno
Persevering in the Truth
It takes tens of thousands of pounds of force to knock over a large tree like the one pictured for our devotion. It looks so odd to see such a massive tree knocked over with the root system exposed. There really isn’t an option to make the tree go back to being upright and replanted into the ground. It will most definitely get cut up and hauled away, with only a hole where it once stood as a reminder.
What does it take to knock you down? Sometimes it may seem like a lot of different things can make your feet go out from under you: A health issue, family troubles, financial concerns, and work dynamics can all be culprits. Sometimes it is an issue that comes completely out of the blue!
I lived many years in Florida and saw many large, mature trees get uprooted by heavy rain and strong winds. It was something to see the roots up in the air and the sheer strength and magnitude of the force of nature.
In 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, we read,
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies”.
English Standard Version
The Bible never promises that being a follower of Jesus will keep tough times away. If fact, it often seems that the more steps of faith that we take, we can get attacked by the evil one. I can imagine that is what Paul is trying to share with the Christians in Corinth, he trying to share a message of encouragement and of hope.
If you are in a season of being uprooted and knocked down, I want you to be encouraged by Paul’s words! I want you to be encouraged by another tree that was made upright and replanted into the ground: The cross that Jesus was crucified on.
He hung on that cross to take the ultimate punishment in our place and give to us life, forgiveness and salvation. What a joy it is to know that despite what happens to us in a given day, we can persevere in the truth that Christ has reconciled us to His Father.
So when you get knocked down, don’t stay down. Get up in the strength of God!
