Psalm 37:12-13

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him (the wicked one-the one who oppresses the righteous), for He sees that his day (of defeat) is coming.  

The enemy is defeated with God on our side. God is neither afraid nor intimidated by the enemy’s tactics. When we call on the name of the Lord for protection, He is well able to keep us safe. We are fighting a defeated foe, and God knows how to defeat the enemy.  

Psalm 17:6-7

I have called upon You, for You, O god, will answer me; incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your (marvelous and amazing) loving-kindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at your right hand from those who rise up against them. 

Again, scripture speaks of God’s loving-kindness towards those who seek Him. When we call on the name of the Lord for wisdom, questions, healing, salvation, or whatever we need, God will answer. Praise the Lord! God is our protection and help.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to (walk with God and) please Him, for whoever comes (near) to God must believe that Gods exists and that He rewards those who (earnestly and diligently) seek Him.

Faith again! Yes, because without faith, we will never succeed in this life. Our daily Bible reading, church attendance, and praise of God in the car are important ways to keep our faith up. We need a faith booster and builder to keep us on track and seeking God every day.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not see (the conviction of their reality-faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses).

Everyone will, at some point, have their faith tested. Whether we stand with the word or fall because of a lack of faith is up to us. Faith must be practiced and maintained for us to keep God’s promises operating in our lives, and God rewards those who diligently seek Him! 

Psalm 42:11

Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.  

Hope in God will not make us ashamed. When we lean in and rely on God and His word, we wait for the answer. Our hope is in the Lord and His loving kindness towards us. God rewards those who diligently seek Him and acknowledge God in all our ways. 

Lamentations 3:24-25

“The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; “Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait (confidently) for Him, To those who seek Him (on the authority of His word).

Building ourselves up in the word will bring positive reinforcement to our minds. The Lord rewards us when we seek Him and wait patiently for the answer. We must lean in and rest on that word and not what the thoughts the devil bombards us with. Hope in the Lord, and don’t let go. 

Lamentations 3:21-22

But this I call to mind, therefore I have hope. It is because of the Lord’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because His (tender) compassions never fail. 

During times of trial, we need encouragement and hope in our lives, like a scripture that reminds us of the goodness and compassion of God. When we remember God’s loving kindnesses, a barrier should come up to doubt and unbelief. Hope in the Lord and His promises will renew our faith and strengthen our belief.

Philippians 4:12

I know how to get along and live humbly (in difficult times), and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret (of facing life), whether well fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.  

What a blessing Jesus is who strengthens us in difficult situations. Jesus will make a way when all doors seem closed. We also learn to appreciate the abundance brought into our lives by His hand. We fully understand we are not alone when we learn and mature in Christ. 

Luke 6:37 

Do not judge (others self-righteously), and you will not be judged; do not condemn (others when you are guilty and unrepentant), and you will not be condemned (for your hypocrisy); pardon (others when they truly repent and change), and you will be pardoned (when you truly repent and change).

The more time we spend keeping our own houses in order, the less interesting it is to see what is going on with the neighbors. Our own home will have enough sin and imperfection to keep us busy. When we examine ourselves under the light of the gospel, we fully realize we have no moral high ground to judge others. 

Romans 6:6-7

We know that our old self (our human nature without the Holy Spirit) was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. For the person who has died (with Christ) has been freed from (the power) of sin.  

It doesn’t matter whether we are new or old Christians. What matters is eternal life and freedom from sin and spiritual death. We don’t have to follow the old nature or give in to tempting influences. Sin no longer has power over us unless we let it. Every day is a new day to work on becoming more like Christ.