This devotion is inspired by my original song Missing Every Day from the album “Work in Progress.”
We all have times of difficulty and hardships in our lives. There are times when we just don’t feel like going on. Sometimes, life has a way of making you feel depressed, defeated, alone, and battered. I’m Still Here is about being encouraged in spite of those hardships. The very fact that we’re still alive and breathing is a testament to our ability to overcome. Through the precious blood of Jesus, we have become more than conquerors. I’m Still Here is a battle song of victory. I wrote it to remind myself that despite all the troubles I’ve been through, I’m Still Here.
Romans chapter 8 verse 37 says…
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
We are conquerors because Jesus has already defeated the Kingdom of Darkness and by believing in Him, you can take hold of that victory too. You don’t have to be held down by your circumstances, your boss, poverty, depression. Yes things happen. We have to take a job we hate for a season. But these things are not permanent. They don’t have to overtake you, and if you have to go through them - whatever God allows you to go through is for your own benefit. That last one might be a hard pill to swallow. Some of us have been through terribly abusive experiences and you might say - why did God allow me to go through that?
Let’s break this down in the scriptures…
John 16:33 says…
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Jesus said this to his disciples after foreshadowing his time on the cross. They were about to go through very fearful and grief-stricken times. But He wanted them to rest in the peace that he freely gives and to know that he’s already won the battle for them. And so has he for you too. The Bible says that trouble may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. That joy is in the Lord. He is our savior. And we can overcome anything by His power.
2 Corinthians chapter 4 verses 7 through 9 says…
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
We go through things for different reasons and we don’t always understand why things are happening in the moment. But God has a plan to prosper you through it all.
Romans 8:28…
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11...
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Philippians 1: 3-6…
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
In God you have a hope and a future. He has not forgotten you. You are his workmanship, his masterpiece, and your life is a testimony. Be encouraged today because the victory is yours in Christ Jesus.
I’m Still Here - Lyrics
I may have tripped and fallen down a couple times but yet.
I’ve never placed first in a beauty pageant but yet.
I’m not the best one in the room, but yet.
I’ve been going through the breaks should have been dead by now, but yet.
Chorus:
Shout it from the rooftops, I’m still here.
Write it down all down, I’m still here.
Groovin’ to beat tonight, I’m still here.
Watch for me now….
Don’t count me out yet! No not yet…
Step one, you’ve got to listen to me now, yet.
Step two, don’t let it get you down now yet.
You’ve got to fight. You’ve still got a fight in you yet.
Take it from this soul sis, I’ve been doing it and still not down yet.
Bridge:
The London bridge might fall down.
And the skies might turn dark and grey.
But all I know, is through this time I’ve been here, right here.
