Trust and Faith · Promises of God

But you must make an effort

5 min read, approximately

“Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest have good success whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate thereon day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:7-9)

Making an effort means working harder physically, mentally, or morally to achieve something.
We all have goals, dreams, desires, and projects… Sadly, society and the media constantly bombard us with the idea that we need only minimal effort to achieve them. For example… “Buy this and in just two weeks you will achieve…”, “Come and get credit cards from us”, “Need money? Come here”… Does something we have made no effort to obtain have any value?

The phrase “But you must make an effort…” leaves no room for laziness

“How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as a robber, And thy want as an armed man.” (Proverbs 6:9-11)

The phrase “But you must make an effort…” leaves no room for pessimism or fear

“Whither are we going up? our brethren have made our heart to melt, saying, The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.” (Deuteronomy 1:28)

The phrase “But you must make an effort…” leaves no room for losing focus

“having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge. And withal they learn also [to be] idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.” (1 Timothy 5:12-13)

So what does the phrase “But you must make an effort…” require?

Effort always requires:

\1. God

“Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:3) Let us remember: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flame consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2)

Remember, if we walk with God, we have no reason to fear; we simply need to stay focused.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [is] against us?” (Romans 8:31)

\2. Work

“In all labor there is profit; But the talk of the lips [tendeth] only to penury.” (Proverbs 14:23)

\3. Attitude, joy, and motivation

“whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

\4. Diligence

“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Proverbs 13:4)

\5. Sacrifice and determination

“Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient [even] unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8)

Come on, one more mile!

\6. Faith

We do not see it yet, but we keep believing it will happen!

“Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing [I do], forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14)

Tired?

“He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-31)

Marriage problems? Debts? Unemployment? Financial ruin? Problems with the children? Shortages?
It is possible to overcome them if we walk hand in hand with the Lord, trust him, and make an effort!

Come on, we can do it! Let us take courage, get back up, and make an effort, for

“I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

And he has also said:

“…Look, I am with you every day, until the end of the world. Amen.”(Matthew 28:20b)

What do we think? Will making an effort help? Let us try, because it is possible!

And let us not forget that even entering through the narrow gate requires effort.

“Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke 13:24)

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May God continue to bless you, and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!