From time to time I like to read the Word in the Amplified version. Its deeper explanation of words and phrases helps to draw my attention to things I miss or become accustomed to reading normally.
This week I am reading John in the Amplified version and one thing has stuck me again and again. Every time it says they believed in Jesus, in parentheses it says they “adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Him”
It made me think of how many people say they believe in Jesus. Does that mean they adhere to Him, rely on Him, and trust in Him? Jesus said, “…all things are possible to him who believes.” So to paraphrase, “all things are possible to him who adheres to Me, trusts in Me, and relies on Me.“
It seems that the Word is telling us that to believe in Jesus does not mean believing in what He did for us or can do for us now. It seems the Word is saying that believing in Him means abandoning our lives to total involvement with Him.
It means adhering, sticking to Him no matter what. It means trusting Him with our whole heart not just when we see answers to prayer, but when we are waiting for them as well. And it means relying on Him, not just for the desires of our heart, but for every moment of every day.
Through the years I have always been amazed by people who tell me they stood for a while and then God released them. I have always wondered what God released them from. Was it their vow to Him? Was it waiting? Was it believing? What was it that He told them they didn’t need to do any longer?
Believing in Jesus brings us to a place of total submersion in Him. It is not about believing until we get something or see something. It is about adhering to, trusting in, and relying on Him for the rest of our days on this earth and then for all eternity with Him.
Standing for our marriage gives us a wonderful opportunity to learn to believe. It is not about what we want or when we want it. It is about adhering, trusting, and relying as we fall deeper and deeper in love with Jesus. Love, Marilyn
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:12-13
Check out Don’t Sit While You Stand
Thank you so much for the timely post. I have gotten weary and this stand seems to consume every part of my life. I guess it’s cos I am focusing on the circumstances too much and as a result have lost hope. But I will continue to stand.
I firmly believe that if the enemy can’t get us to give up on our marriage, he will try to consume our life with standing. Perhaps this blog post best addresses the need to focus on Jesus and our walk with Him. If we continue looking just at our marriage, every circumstance will pull us emotionally. Keep your eyes on Jesus, listen to Him and His direction to you. You will find fulfillment and joy as He ministers to your heart.
Amen