Your Calling

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Cor 1:9)

We often find ourself facing trouble from outside of ourself, and from within our own flesh. This trouble brings up a serious, and sometimes desperate question, "What am I doing here?" God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Cor 1:9) That is his calling for you, and your direction.

Your trouble is very real, and not to be explained away with a few words. You are called by God, who is faithful. No circumstance, no difficulty, no poverty, and no person, can take you from his faithful call, if you will accept it. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)

Beloved, consider his call. Jesus came to do the Father's will. "The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luk 19:10) And so we come to Jesus, because of his faithfulness, not our own. Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." (see John 6:44) It is by his faithfulness that you can look to him, and trust him to lead you through.

Consider who he is calling, beloved. His purpose was not to exalt those who are wise by this world's standards. Not many of us are powerful, or born to nobility. God chose the weak, the low and despised, even those who are counted as nobodies (see 1 Cor 1:26-29). What are you doing here? Be encouraged, you are called, in the midst of your struggle, into the fellowship of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Father in heaven, you are faithful. You know the reason for my struggles. I don't know what else, how long, or how much more, you have for me to go through, you know. My hope, and my salvation are in the sure love of your call, into the fellowship of your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to stand and grow, through the fire of troubles, in your faithful love for me.

A very great and precious promise

After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1Pet 5:10)

You have God's Word on it.