Thus Far The Lord Has Led Me

Have you ever stopped to look at your past? What do you see?
A distorted maze of failures? A past version of yourself that you now loathe?
A thousand times a day, we are told not to dwell on the past. We are reminded that it does not define us, and it cannot be changed anyways. But today, I call on you stop and take a long look. Not at everything--we are search for something in particular.
See the mercy. See God's grace showered on your life. And, if you are in Christ, you will not find it hard to see. Face the person you were without Christ, and sing in triumph, for that person was slain with Christ. Look upon your sin and see how, though you fell, God has not forsaken you.
How can shame endure? Your sin is but another sign of grace as God drew back from the darkness. The stronger the foe, the more glorious the victory.
Rise, Christian, stand and raise the banner. See the sins that lie dead before your feet.
And as you struggle on against the flesh--against all that is in you that is not of God--look back and remember those conquests. The same God who broke those chains is fighting for you today. You will have victory--how can you not? Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Christ has already overcome--these are but the final skirmishes against the lost and leaderless foes.

This is the time to say, as Joshua of old, "Thus far, the Lord has led me." Raise now your altar and fall before the Living God. Praise Him for the war won. Exalt His name as the God Who Saves, as He has saved you and saves you still. He that took that rebel sinner and made a saint for His glory, is He not more than able to keep you through these trials? More than able, He delights in sanctifying His people. This is our confidence, and the evidence of the past confirms it. Take comfort in this, weary saints. See what Christ has done, for He is still the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."

-1 Thessalonians 5:23-24