Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Sisters, 

I greet you in the name of our precious God. It gives me great joy to speak his Words, for they are sweeter than honey. And, they are “yes” and “amen”. 

Reading through the Bible, we come across many women, used by God, for his Glory. While I was meditating on it, I was led to focus on four characteristics of woman of God. I pray that God will speak to you through this.

• Perseverance

I was reading through a beautiful poem, by Francis Thomson, called the Hound of Heaven. This poem is about God pursuing a sinner. As the hound follows the hare, never ceasing in its running, ever drawing nearer in the chase, with unhurrying and imperturbed pace, so does God follow the fleeing soul by His Divine grace. And though in sin or in human love, away from God, the Soul seeks to hide itself, Divine grace follows after, unwearyingly follows ever after, till the soul feels its pressure forcing it to turn to Him alone in that never ending pursuit.”

 Let your perseverance be like this pursuit of God. If you are in a financial crisis, never cease praying. Persevere. For the victory is yours. If you have difficulties in managing the family, or raising your child, or if you are praying for something for a very long time and are still awaiting answer, then Persevere. He never puts to shame whose hope is set on him.

It is amazing to note that the author of Hebrews, while talking about faith, mentions “Women received back their dead.” Such is the power of perseverant faith. Which can be summed up in Martha’s word to Jesus “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask“ Persevere in prayer.

Pondering them in heart.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

 Let us bring to our mind the context of this above verse. Mary, had been a victim of unfounded accusations regarding her pregnancy. Her answers, at that time, to the people who asked her “Who is His father”, would not have been taken seriously. She had to endure shame. Then, when the child is born, the Heaven opens and the shepherds see a mighty array of angels delivering the Gospel. The shepherds visit the child and the shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”

Yet, Mary treasured them and pondered them. This is the kind of peace that comes from God. Even if the things cannot go any worse than what you are facing now, be at peace and just praise God. If you are elevated to the magnificence, being blessed with abundance and luxury, be at peace and just praise God. “For even the very hairs of your head are numbered”

• Give it to God

 Just sit back and think what do you love most? Is it your family? Or is it your only child? Or is it your career?

 Once you have decided what you love most, think on this question, Can you give it unreservedly to God? Are you willing to let go of its ownership and give it to God? Can you hand him the keys of that relationship which you value most?

 It is useful to think that the mite, which the widow put in the offertory, meant more to God than all the other silver and gold.

 To quote Lord Jesus “Everyone else gave what they didn’t need. But she is very poor and gave everything she had”

• Purity

 No, I am not writing about chastity. But, about the truth which God requires in our secret beings. As mentioned by King David, in Psalms 51,  “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom” and as said by Jesus to Church in Thyatira “I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds”

It is easy in this era, to be conformed to the latest trends, the desire to have branded accessories and burying ourselves to many practices which looks harmless and even stimulating, but are not conformed to the truth of the Word of God.

 I pray to the Lord, that his wisdom and knowledge be your guide in every decision you make, and every thought you process. Let Him be your strength. Amen.

Happy New Year!