God Sustains Us
Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me
Psalm 54:4
The definition for sustain is “to keep a person, (body, soul, and spirit) from giving way, as under trial or affliction.” We all go through trials and tribulations in this life. The world uses different coping techniques, such as seeking help, planning or seeking God’s guidance. While others may simply try and escape difficult trials.
In order to overcome trials and tribulations we can trust in our Lord, who renews our minds and hearts and changes our emotions to ones of peace and rest. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7) This promise from our Lord is extremely powerful. It is a promise that changes our anxious moments into peaceful ones which come from God. So how do we reach this point in our lives when God will give us his peace?
It comes down to faith. It involves trusting God with our lives. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) When we believe God’s promises and trust him to lead our lives we acknowledge that we are his servants and he is our master. We now have some control because we seek guidance in our lives by walking in Godly wisdom. We give God control and trust his ways completely. This means we have stepped off the throne and have ceased being our own gods. Now God’s power can work through us. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Ephesians 3:20)
When we are closer to the Lord than to anyone or anything else on earth, then we are comforted and sustained by God’s love. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13-14) The apostle Paul was closer to the Lord than anything in this world. Likewise, the Lord was close to Paul and gave him his love and power to endure and overcome all of life’s trials and tribulations. The more trials Paul endured, the closer he was to the Lord, because he ran to the Lord for strength, courage, and wisdom, enabling him to persevere.
We are now free in Christ because we have come to realize that when we put things in God’s hands and walk as his obedient servants, he will provide everything we need to endure and to be victorious. God understands us, our situations, and the people in our lives, far better than we do. He has the power to do things in our lives that are impossible for us. When we trust God’s infinite love and wisdom over our own limited understanding, then he sustains us through every trial in life by his power in us.
When we seek the Lord and trust him, we have peace and rest for our souls. With confidence in the Lord to guide us through life we are sustained by knowing the Lord will carry us through. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31) Through faith this verse becomes evident in our lives. God will always give us the strength to endure, overcoming whatever Satan puts in our paths.
Today, trust the Lord and he will sustain you with his strength and wisdom. He will provide, moment by moment, whatever you need in order to be his servant . Invite him into your life, and depend on his guidance through the Spirit, for his wisdom and his words.
Let’s Pray: Lord, thank you for sustaining me every day of my life through your strength and endurance. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to live in your power and wisdom, with my heart filled with your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.