20th April 2021 – The Bridge Is Available

Very few people look forward to confrontation or suffering. Many run from it. Others unwillingly or pridefully face it head on, but few just accept it. Jesus invited His disciples to embrace the conflict and suffering that arises from following Him. He usually made them palatable by revealing a reward for enduring it.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Romans 5:3 says “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;” Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” 2 Timothy 1:8 “So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God,” 1 Peter 4:13 “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”

Brethren, I want you to know that the Lord never displays His power or grace at an inappropriate time or place but He always provides according to the difficulty of the hour. He does not impart strength until it is needed.

Many of God’s children are enduring hardship and persecution because of their faithfulness to the Lord and some may probably have chosen the path of intense suffering rather than following the line of least resistance.

But, of course the Lord does not ask us to make such a commitment before it is necessary and we can be sure that when we suffer for His sake, He will provide whatever we need to endure the pain.

As believers in Christ, we can take one step at a time and be confident that whether we come to a dried-up gulch or a surging river, the Lord will always stretch out His scepter of grace and provide the bridge to cross over to the other side.

Friends, our God gives to us enough grace for each trial we face. He has ascended into heaven to release His Holy Spirit, the comforter and our divine helper to carry us in His wings and soar to greater heights.