NOTHING COMES EASY - July 1 Today's Perspective

PERSPECTIVES FROM DAVID’S 7 SECRETS

Chapter Two, “Sit at God’s Round Table” p. 30

EASY COME, EASY GO

Every great athlete has to train beyond hurt, past a normal, reasonable effort to achieve greatness.  The same goes in building a great company, a strong military, or a powerful effective ministry.  Nothing comes easy.

To achieve all that is possible for you, and all that God has in mind for you, you must have this attitude as expressed by Jesus in Luke 9:62 when talking about the cost of following Him.   He said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” Total focus, going above, beyond, and to the sides, to pass and overcome obstacles is what it takes.  It is not easy.

For David it was never easy either.  When he was winning battles for Saul, he was accused of aspiring to the throne.  When he finally became the King of Judah, he was greeted with two huge battles with the Philistine army and civil war with Israel.

When he had finally defeated all his enemies, his son rebelled and tried to take the kingdom, and David’s best friend went over to the wayward son.  In one of his final outings with his army, another giant, Ishbi-Benob, tried to kill him and he had to be rescued by one of his mighty men.

It was never easy and never really over for David.  All along his journey he wrote and prayed these kinds of prayers, “I cry out to God Most high, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me.” Ps. 57:2 and “You are my God. My times are in Your hand…” Ps. 31:14-15.  We cannot get ahead of or change God’s plan for us either.  Every step, hard or easy, needs His direction.

If things come easy, they could also go away easy, without the right work ethic. Paul had it right in order to accomplish what he did.  He was all in!  “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  To this end, I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Col 1: 28-29.  And then in 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”

It is easier to quit, to stop, or leave! But, when it really gets hard or everyone seems to be against you, remember what Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world!”  So it is true….

NOTHING COMES EASY

But it is a lot easier when the Lord is in control