This is a true revelation of an experience that happened to me during my morning devotion. After I poured out my heart to God about how frustrated I was with the way things were going in my life and how I was so physically, emotionally, and mentally tired. I had so much I wanted to say, I just wanted to release it all. There was a worship song playing in the background while I journaled and before I could finish writing; God spoke to me through the song and the words I heard were: Take up your cross and follow me. Deny thyself and follow me (Matt 16:24). Immediately after hearing this, I was in awe. I am talking about how I wasn’t having it, and God reminded me of what it takes to follow Him. It was never going to be a bed of roses, It was never going to be about me, it was about God, denying myself, having faith, trusting Him, and following Him regardless of how I was feeling. God wanted me to know that the day I decided to follow Him is when I attract these attacks from the enemy. He wanted me to know that I would be persecuted, and hated by many, sometimes even my very own flesh and blood for His name, but I will overcome because of His blood, and the reward will be worth all the sacrifices.
If I should explain a bit more on what Matt 16: 24 truly means; if anyone who genuinely wants to follow Christ, when Jesus says to deny yourself, the Greek meaning to deny is to completely disown and renounce your selfish interest and goals. It is not the same as self-denial where someone denies who they are as a person, rather it’s denying the fleshly and worldly desires so that you can truly follow Christ, submit, and surrender to His will. Denying oneself is equal to taking up your cross – the cross signifies suffering, it is to expose yourself to punishment and death. If we are not willing to suffer for Christ and to face ridicule and possible death; we are not worthy of Him. In Matt 10:38, Jesus said, that whoever does not take up their cross and follow after Him is not worthy of Him. This means choosing to follow Him regardless of what we face because we love Him more than life itself.
God went a little further and gave me Galatians 6:9 where Paul was challenging the Galatians not to get weary in doing good; instead, he wanted them to trust God because He is the one who gives the reward. This is the same encouragement I want to pass on to you today; is to not give up on doing good for in reality God sees, and will reward each one of us with good measure. He wants you to keep doing good even when no one recognizes or acknowledges you, keep going even when you feel like giving up and you feel your strength is failing – My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalms 73:26)
I hope this encourages you today. I am here to tell you as God had revealed to me; keep going for behold I am with you even unto the end. Never give in, never give up, God is your source of strength and you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13)
Pray with me…
Father, in Jesus’ name, I thank you that your death on the cross is a constant reminder of the price you paid for me. Help me that when I get discouraged and feel that I cannot make it, I will always think about what you did and how much you overcame the world, so I can as well. And I know that I can do all things through you and the shedding of your blood on Calvary’s cross. I know that there will be some testing and trying of my faith, but I will hold to your unchanging hands. Thank you, Lord, for never giving up on me, and I will rest assured knowing you are always by my side. This I pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen!
