A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (May 31, 2017)
He will not be moved (shaken) forever; the [uncompromisingly] righteous (the upright, in right standing with God) shall be in everlasting remembrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is firmly fixed, trusting (leaning on and being confident) in the Lord. (Psalms 112:6-7, Amplified)
Today, I have encouraging news. Your faith will be tested. You may not think that having your faith tested is good, but when you pass the test, the reward is great. In James 1:2, we are told to consider it all joy when we encounter various tests, trials, and tribulations and we should know that with this passing comes great reward.
Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3).
Sometimes it seems like there are great tremors in our life. But there is a huge difference between feeling a tremor and being shaken loose. Many never fulfill their potential in life because when they feel a tremor, they allow themselves to be shaken loose. Make no mistake about it. The devil will shake your tree.
Hebrews 12:28 says that we are in a kingdom that cannot be shaken and that through the power of grace we can serve God acceptably. Since God’s kingdom cannot be shaken and we are children of the King, we must decide that nothing will shake us, nothing will distract us, and that nothing will keep us from fulfilling God’s plan in our lives.
Too often people depend on their own strength. Our own strength is not enough. Yes, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). However, we must remember that He is the source of our strength. In Psalm 112:6-7, we are told that the righteous will never be shaken and that he will not be afraid of an evil report because his heart is steadfast and unwavering and trusts in God. If you are a born-again believer, then you are righteous. Righteousness is not something you work toward, but righteousness is something that you became when you accepted Jesus. You were made righteous at salvation and you become holy through obedience to His Word.
Because you were made righteous at the point of salvation, then Psalm 112:6-7 applies to you. Trials may come, but you can remain steadfast. Regardless of the greatness of the storm, you will not be shaken because you are anchored in His kingdom. Now this, ‘Yet once more,’ indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:27-28).
