I know very few dedicated Christians who do not go through trials and tribulation in their life. Every time I start losing my perspective and start sliding into self-pity, worry, anger, fear and unbelief, the Holy Spirit reminds me that “unto them that look for Him shall He appear…” (Heb 9:28).

All I need to do is ‘look’ … and in looking I automatically turn my eyes away from my own trials and tribulation. And as I look to the Lord I try and keep up my spirit, expecting a great deliverance, ready to praise God for it. (Ps. 27:14 and Spurgeon’s Cheque Book of Faith Sep 06). “You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and the He rewards those who sincerely look for Him”. (Heb. 11:6)

Not once has He deserted me when I looked for Him. Not once has He left me hanging. Not once have I had any reason while looking not to praise Him. Did everything change the moment I looked? No. I had to persevere. I had to discipline myself to keep on looking, praying, trusting and keep on doing that which I knew was the right thing to do … clinging to the promises that God has given me over time.

Did I feel like giving up? Yes, many times. But I had to persevere, hanging on to my faith even when I felt I had nothing left. I had to work hard and at the same time pray hard, being reminded that nothing comes from just “hanging around.” I had to do the possible and trust God to do the impossible… and He did.

Exactly two years ago (Aug 2011) in faith we turned the first sod on the rugby field where Ithought I wanted to build the high school. Today we are completing the last 8 classrooms, student centre and admin building 100 meters from the rugby field. As I look at what God has done, Os Hillman’s words come to mind: “Write your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.” God had and has a bigger and a better plan than I would ever have. Was the waiting easy? No. It was very difficult as discouragement and self-doubt set in… but I persevered by looking to Him, and truly the Lord God helped me (Isaiah 50:7). I had to learn to put aside my own desires so that I could become patient and godly, gladly letting God have His way with me. In the process I grew spiritually and (hopefully) became fruitful and useful to our Lord Jesus Christ. (See 2 Peter 1:6-8 Life Application Bible)

Let me trust the Lord to help me as I persevere and let me go forth boldly by not shrinking back, as God takes no pleasure in the one who shrinks back, for the Spirit of God … does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7).

The Lord says, “This seems unbelievable to you …. but it is no great thing for Me… get on with the job and finish it!” (Zech. 8:6+9 Life Application Bible)