Romans 4:17
… God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 

Many a time, when we look at ourselves, we don’t see what we can become. But when God looks at us, He sees what we can become by His grace. 

When Jesus first saw Simon, whose name in Greek means “reed”, He changed his name to “Peter”, which means “rock”. But did Peter instantly become someone with the characteristics of a rock — solid, stable and unshakable? No, for a long time, he continued to act like a reed that bends every which way the wind blows. 

Once, when Peter saw Jesus walking on water, he took a bold step of faith and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Then, as he was walking on the water, he saw the boisterous wind, got scared and when he began to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:28–30) Another time, he said, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death.” (Luke 22:33) Then, a few hours later, he denied knowing Jesus not once, but three times. (Luke 22:54–62).

 

Physical might or force can accomplish nothing when engaged in spiritual warfare.

2 Timothy 2:1-4
Be strong – be affirmed and resolute in your faith

You must be teachable; with the aptitude to go on and teach others.  Be focused and ready to learn and look for every opportunity to pass on your knowledge of Jesus and the kingdom principles.

You/we must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ and be willing to suffer as a Christian.

We must not entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life. Be mindful of your task set before you and give full attention to that task.

2 Kings 6 8:17
What appeared to be a natural physical battle, was seen for what it truly was, a spiritual battle; and it takes the spiritually mature to discern and fight in the spirit through prayer. Two men and one prayer defeated a whole physical army. The Angels will always assist in the battle over the welfare of the righteous.

Jeremiah 33:3
We need to understand the invisible realm, and how the prayer of the righteous stirs up and activate the Angelic Realm.

James 5:16
The effective fervent prayer of the righteous man avails much.

Ruth, whose name means Friend, spent her early life looking after her late husband and then her mother-in-law.  This was a true demonstration of loyalty and friendship. 

 

In Chapter 1:16-17, we see her commitment and dedication to Naomi in that well known poetic statement, that Preachers and Christians have quoted down through the ages.  "Entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following after you;  for where you go, I will go;  and where you lodge, I will lodge;  Your people will be my people, and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die;  and there will I be buried, the Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me".

 

Ruth's total commitment and loyalty to Naomi, her people, her land and her God (way of worship), was repaid with a full reward from God's favour through Boaz (who is a type of Christ), Chapter 2:12.

 

So we can, every believer today, reap a full reward of God's favour when we surrender the pleasures of this present world to follow Christ through the Church.

 

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."

 

"Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy care has preserved my spirit".

 

So we see that God through his favour has taken on the responsibility to watch over us with his all seeing eyes, care for us as the good Shepherd, and safe keeping, giving his angels charge over us to protect us from all the plans of the enemy (Satan).

 

"For you Lord will bless the righteous;  with favour you will surround him like a shield".

 

"For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." This describes the kind of joyful shouting that will take place at the time of great victory.  In contrast to His brief moments of anger because of man's sin, when we repent, his favour and loving kindness will accompany us for a lifetime, just as Ruth vowed to stand by her mother-in-law for life.

 

Proverbs 12:2 tells us that a good man obtains favour from God, but a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.  It is not surprising then that the psalmist tells us to delight ourselves in the Lord, and He (The Lord) will give us the desires of our heart psalm 37:4.

 

So we see that when we surrender to Christ, all that we are to all that he is, the Godly addition will start Matthew 6:33, but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.