Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12
I remember as a teenager in my middle and high school years we did many silly things to pass the days. One of those things was pencil battles. One person held a pencil at each end while another person tried to break the pencil by hitting it with another pencil and the battle began.
Now winning and losing all was determined by each person. If the person holding the pencil held it just right and just tight enough it wouldn’t break. In turn if the person hitting the pencil didn’t hit it hard enough nothing would happen. And if the hit it too hard they might break their own pencil.
As silly as it sounds now that I’ve grown up, it reminds me of a verse in the Bible. Jeremiah 17:8 ‘For he shall be like a tree planted by the water…and shall not fear when the heat comes…’ It shall not be moved.
We need to be like the person holding their pencil and not allow anything to break us. When the devil hits us with his attacks, when bad things happen, when we’re struggling. Just like the tree, we shall not be moved. Why? Because our roots are planted deep in Jesus, He is our vine that holds onto us tightly when those attacks come. And when we remain firm and strong with Jesus we can produce our fruits and share Jesus with others.
Let the pencil battle begin! I have my Jesus and we will overcome.
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