"Since my youth they have often attacked me, but they have not prevailed against me. " vs2

Nothing will prevail against the child of God. There is no power or might against us. God is for us, so it doesn’t matter the opposition. Romans 8:31 - "What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?" We have all the help that we need.

Peter is crucified upside down, but he doesn’t draw back. John is imprisoned on Patmos, and Paul gives his life for the gospel. Nothing made these brothers and sisters stop, and nothing will stop us. We’ll have disappointments, trials, and failures, but God will see us through. We doubt his graciousness, but he’ll be gracious anyway. The sin that might have taken us will be broken, forgiven, and overcome. God will give the sufficient help of the Spirit for all our needs. Romans 8:13 - "because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live."

Rest assured. Be all about grace. Keep your eyes upon the security of the gospel. Know that you have God’s loving help. Don’t walk in fear and self-exertion. Rely on the faithful Lord!

Secondly, our sufferings are real and intense. Psalm 129:3 - "Plowmen plowed over my back; they made their furrows long. " Do not preach a gospel of easy living, as if coming to Christ makes you healthy and wealthy. Do not preach the prosperity gospel. Wealth is not guaranteed to Christians, owed to Christians, and it cannot be attained by hard work always. No, God is in charge of the rich and the poor. Some are born into slavery, and others into great wealth. Some have great opportunities, and others can’t walk or go a day without intense pain. God doesn’t promise us a bed or roses. He promises a DELIVERING GOD. Hebrews 8:10 - "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. "

Look at Joni Eareckson Tada. I can’t get her out of my mind. Day after day I think of her. When my season is prosperous, and I’m full of joy, then I think about her suffering, so I’m not carried away. (Joni was paralyzed as a teenager, and she’s lived joyfully for the Lord into her 70’s.) Therefore, mingled with my thankfulness and praise is the recognition that God can take it all away. He can do whatever he wants, and be just. He will be good to us, if he gives us the most excruciating pain for the rest of our lives.

No, he hasn’t promised us ease. He promised grace, and the help of the Spirit. Romans 8:26 - "In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings." God promises his friendship, wisdom, and love in everything that happens to us, because it comes through Christ, in whom he loves us immeasurably!

Thirdly, everyone who hates the church shall be destroyed. Psalm 129:5 - "Let all who hate Zion be driven back in disgrace. "

God’s people are persecuted by Satan and unbelieving spouses. They have whole nations rise up against them - kings and governments. Psalm 2:2 - "The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the LORD and his Anointed One:” We are hunted like deer upon the mountains, and must flee to the rocks. Some lose their jobs, and others lose their life. Some endure horrible abandonment and rejection. Others are told, “Curse God and die.” All these things are against us, but Christ is for us, so we prevail, and our enemies are scattered.

The sin that they deceived us into is forgiven. The pit we erroneously dug has a rope, and we’re pulled out. The enemy's hatred brings us closer to Christ’s grace. We’re made better by what we suffer. Psalm 119:71 - "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn your statutes." Storms teach us the nearness and faithfulness of God. Mark 4:41 - “And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him!” Recovery teaches us to love the saints, rather than to exalt ourselves over them. Luke 22:32 - “But I have prayed for you,” Christ says, “that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to me, strengthen your brothers.” We come to know grace more astutely by all of our weaknesses!

Let the children of God rejoice. We’re in an unbreakable covenant with God’s saving love. We’re gripped by free grace through the redeeming blood of God’s own Son. We are highly favored and blessed.