The Best Is Yet To Come

We know and understand that pastors have battles and struggles just like the rest of us. We may not think about them often, but I'm always amazed to hear such moments of transparency. It's not because I'm shocked to hear them open up... I think it's because there is some sort of comfort or solace in hearing a commonality. Like pastors kids always listen to their parents who never get upset with them for not listening or have to raise their voice to get the child's attention.

Yet, on this shortened, #seniorPastorMonday, I heard such a moment of transparency recently that I didn't see coming.

A pastor of 20+ years of ministry shared how the enemy attacks him on Monday morning. When it comes time to file his printed sermon notes, Satan strikes. With thoughts of how the next sermon won't be as good. How God won't give him another message like that. The message he preached yesterday wasn't as good as he thought it was. It won't have the impact that he's prayed it would have.

By the way, if my pastor is reading this; yesterday was a home-run. A hard-hitting home run, but never-the-less, it was powerful.

Yet what's the response to the enemy's attempt to discourage? The aforementioned pastor looks at 20 years worth of sermons and calls Satan's bluff. I have evidence. God is still moving and working in this ministry and through these sermons. What comes next will be good because what has been preached has already made a difference. And so, he presses on. Today might be another struggle, but one more sermon is a nail in the coffin of Satan's argument that God is faithful to send forth His Word through the foolishness that is the preaching of the Gospel.

So, let us pray, this #seniorPastorMonday, for pastors needing encouragement. May they be reminded once again, perhaps as they look over the records of sermons, of the faithfulness of God to lead them in their ministry. Pray discouragement would not distract or derail their hearts and minds, but prompt them to press in all the more into the presence of God. May God grant them fresh revelation and insight as the prepare for the next sermon; that the anointing of the Holy Spirit would fall fresh.

For He who called you
Is faithful to complete the good work He has begun
For God is with us in the battle,
Even for those in positions of leadership.
While no one is immune,
We keep our eyes on Jesus.
For the glory of God.

- PNC

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