Situational Gravity Explained

Situational Gravity Explained

Genesis 34³⁰ Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.”

 

³¹ But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?”

 

============

 

After Simeon and Levi took revenge on the entire city of Shechem, Jacob spoke to them trying to tell them what they had done was very serious. Their response was an attempt to explain why they did this extreme act.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob expressed his fear of retribution from the surrounding people.
• Simeon and Levi expressed to Jacob that something should have been done to serve justice on the city of Shechem.
• Israel’s reputation of being obnoxious had begun.

 

Shechem’s violation started a series of events that escalated out of control quickly. Throughout history, groups of raiders would take women for their own pleasures. Up until this point, Jacob’s family had remained safe. But now the safety net felt removed.

 

Jacob knew eventually the people of the surrounding lands would get word of what happened. The immense wealth that was stolen by his son’s would possibly bring people from far away who would desire to raid his camp without remorse. Simeon and Levi felt better, but their justice would be short lived. GOD saw it all.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Jacob’s conversation with Simeon and Levi?
• Have you ever taken revenge and gotten into a worse situation?
• If vengeance is driving you to a situation that is worse, will you seek GOD to intervene HIS way?

Led in the Way of Truth

Led in the Way of Truth

Genesis 24: ⁴² “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go, ⁴³ behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” ⁴⁴ and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’

 

⁴⁵ “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ ⁴⁶ And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also. ⁴⁷ Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. ⁴⁸ And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son. ⁴⁹ Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

 

============

 

Continuing in his explanation, Abraham’s servant told everyone why Rebekah was chosen. He spoke about his prayer to the LORD and the immediacy of GOD’s answer.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham’s servant was surprised by how fast GOD favorably answered his prayer.
• Abraham’s servant described how fast things happened, which showed the willingness he was looking for.
• Abraham’s servant recognized that this circumstance could only be arranged by GOD.

 

Being led by the truth meant circumstances were arranged outside of Abraham’s servant’s power. He was still being led by the HOLY SPIRIT by asking Laban and Bethuel for Rebekah to come with him. He knew they could still say no, but in his heart, he knew she was the one GOD had chosen.

 

Abraham’s servant may have gained faith that he never had before. To see Abraham get his prayers answered over the years was one thing. But to see his own prayer get answered was special. He bowed his head and worshipped the LORD. GOD had done the impossible right in front of him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this recap given by Abraham’s servant?
• Are you facing the impossible?
• Can you believe that GOD can say “Wait” or “No” or “Yes” to your circumstance and still make it all work for you?

Broader Belief

 

Broader Belief

Genesis 22: ³ So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. ⁴ Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off. ⁵ And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”

 

============

 

After hearing something from GOD that seemed strange, Abraham was at peace. He was able to sleep as he normally did and woke up the next morning ready to do what GOD said. HE communicated with the LORD that morning, so he knew GOD was guiding him. He took two witnesses with him and traveled three days to the place GOD told him to go.

 

My Observations:

• Three days is similar to JESUS’ death burial and resurrection timing.
• Abraham knew GOD’s promise of making a nation through Isaac, so he believed GOD would bring him back from the dead somehow.
• Abraham told the witnesses “we will come back to you”, showing he had total belief in GOD’s power to create life or raise his son from the dead.

 

Sacrifice your only son would be a strange request to you and me. But this was the only time GOD told any human to do this. It does not seem that GOD was testing Abraham to see what he would do, because HE knew what he would do. This strange request seemed more like an announcement of something greater to come.

 

“We will come back to you” shows Abraham’s total faith in GOD. Only one human needed to show this example, so GOD is not asking others to kill someone to show their allegiance with HIM. BUT GOD does seem to want us to believe in HIS plan to the point that we know HE will come through, even if the dream HE gave us looks like it would have to die.

 

It was not the willingness to sacrifice Isaac that is amazing, rather the belief that GOD would restore Isaac to fulfill HIS promise.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Abraham’s preparation to sacrifice Isaac?
• Did GOD promise you something that has you thinking you know what HE is doing when you may not?
• Are you willing to believe broader than your thoughts, knowing GOD can and will do the impossible to reach HIS plan through you?

Switched Focus

Switched Focus

Genesis 18: ⁹ Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?”

 

So he said, “Here, in the tent.”

 

¹⁰ And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.”

 

(Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. ¹² Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”

 

¹³ And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

 

¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid.

And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

 

============

 

Up to this point everything was about Abraham. GOD spoke to him directly and told him to leave his father’s house and go to a place where I will show you. Abraham immediately obeyed. GOD then spoke to Abraham a few more times. But this time was different. JESUS and the angels asked together, “Where is Sarah your wife/”

 

My Observations:

• Sarah had faith to go with Abraham to a place GOD told him to go, but she was not told by GOD.
• Sarah had faith to maintain the cattle and the property while Abraham went to rescue Lot and Sodom’s stuff.
• Sarah’s laughter was filled with mixed emotions possibly because up to this point it had been all about Abraham.

 

“Where is Sarah your wife” seems to be a question to Abraham that she should have been present at the dinner. GOD knew where she was physically. But why isn’t she here? Over the years, Abraham may have expressed “his” relationship with GOD, but did not express hers. Abraham had left out the most important component to the promise, namely his wife.

 

Sarah laughed inside herself when she overheard the news for herself. BUT GOD heard the laughter. I believe HE wasn’t scolding her when HE said “No, but you did laugh!”, rather HE was bringing her into the spotlight by speaking to both Abraham and Sarah. The focus was no longer only on Abraham, but on both of them. GOD would return "at the appointed time."

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD ask Abraham about Sarah’s laughter when providing this conversation to Moses?
• Have you ever felt left out of the promises of GOD while HE uses other people?
• Can you believe that GOD sees you and has a special part of HIS plan specifically for you?

Forced Introduction

Forced Introduction

Genesis 12: ¹⁰ Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. ¹¹ And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. ¹² Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. ¹³ Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”

 

============

 

Abram, his wife Sarai, Lot and all the people who joined them, settled down in the land GOD showed them. But HE caused a great famine. This was no ordinary famine, but one in which nothing would grow for a long time. Something had to be done. Food was getting scarce for humans and animals.

 

Abram was forced to leave the land and go to a neighboring area, namely Egypt. Fear stricken, Abram asked his wife, Sarai, to lie. She agreed.

 

My Observations:

• Abram would have never left the land unless a difficult situation happened.
• GOD may have wanted to introduce the Egyptians to Abram as a precursor to Moses.
• Abram, while faithful, had fears, doubts and worries.

 

Looking back on people in the Bible makes me think they were invincible. But Abram was scared for his life. This is the first time we see him develop a plan that goes outside of GOD’s way of doing things. And it won’t be the last. Abram had a reason to be scared.

 

The Egyptian Pharaohs were possibly notorious for taking the best women for themselves. Abram wanted to stay alive and risked his marriage by asking his wife, Sarai, to say she was his sister. They were now in a predicament that they would not have chosen. They never said “If it wasn’t for the famine, we wouldn’t be in this situation.” They went forward in GOD’s promise.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Abram’s introduction to the Egyptians?
• Have you ever been put in a situation that you would not have chosen, only to find out it was part of GOD’s plan when you look back on it?
• Can you see that some of your difficulties are accounted for in GOD’s plan for you?

Impossible Dreams Fulfilled

Impossible Dreams Fulfilled

Hebrews 11: ¹¹ It was faith that made Abraham able to become a father, even though he was too old and Sarah herself could not have children. He trusted God to keep his promise. ¹² Though Abraham was practically dead, from this one man came as many descendants as there are stars in the sky, as many as the numberless grains of sand on the seashore.

============

“I’m never going to get this right?” I said in frustration. I was trying to do long division and it didn’t make sense. But eventually I understood it after being frustrated. “I’m never going to graduate” and “I’m never going to get a job” and “I’m never going to get…” have been words I used in frustration when I could not see how it was going to happen.

 

• I was frustrated because I could not see a solution.
• I was nervous and scared many times because I could not figure out how things would turn out.
• I felt that things should be better and I could not see how it was going to happen.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gave another faith example. This time he showed how GOD overcomes the impossible. If anyone were to think that a women who, throughout life could not have children, suddenly could become pregnant by her husband who was older than most people, all would say “this is impossible.”

 

My Observations

• GOD chooses the impossible to show me that only HE can solve my situations.
• Some circumstances I get into seem to have no solution, BUT GOD has one already planned.
• Faith that GOD has the situation taken care of comes hard to me, but eventually I have to get there.

 

Believing the impossible can happen is scary. I mean, if I tell people what GOD has in store for me and it does not happen in the time “I” think it should happen, people, including myself, would become discouraged. BUT GOD sees this and laughs at what I think is impossible.

 

GOD seems to love doing the impossible. HE enabled an elderly, barren couple to have a baby when HE could have used a young fertile couple. That would not have been amazing. HE wants me to know that HE is GOD and that HIS solutions cannot come from anywhere but HIM. I gladly yield to HIS great and marvelous power.

 

Challenge

• What impossible dream do you think the writer gave?
• Have you ever felt there was more to life for you, but you gave up on dreams because it has not happened for you yet?
• Will you renew your faith that GOD can and will revive the situation you thought was dead if you place your faith in HIM today?

Breakthrough On Its Way

 

Breakthrough On Its Way

1 Corinthians 2: ⁶ Yet I do proclaim a message of wisdom to those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world or to the powers that rule this world—powers that are losing their power. ⁷ The wisdom I proclaim is God's secret wisdom, which is hidden from human beings, but which he had already chosen for our glory even before the world was made. ⁸ None of the rulers of this world knew this wisdom. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. ⁹ However, as the scripture says,

 

“What no one ever saw or heard,
    what no one ever thought could happen,
    is the very thing God prepared for those who love him.”

 

============

 

Rain kept falling for hours on end. This was the largest rainfall in years. On the way home, we were trapped by one flooded street after another. When I thought the route was clear, another flooded street seemed to emerge. “If I could just get to the other side of the flood, I would be alright” I thought to myself. Moments after that thought, the water began to recede on the street we were on.

 

• Many times in my life it seemed like I was trapped by life’s barriers.
• Many times in my life it seemed like there was no way out no matter how hard I tried.
• Many times in my life it seemed like life brought on tremendous blockades to the promises I had in store.

 

Paul speaks about the wisdom of GOD. The rulers of this world thought the message of JESUS could be stopped, so they killed HIM. BUT GOD made the impossible happen. JESUS was raised form the dead, releasing anyone who believes, from the bondage of sin.

 

• GOD wants me to know HE has already overcome my circumstance.
• GOD wants me to focus on the choice HE made before the world was made.
• GOD wants me to see the very thing HE prepared for me because I love HIM.

 

Secret wisdom cannot be tapped into without belief in JESUS. I mean, GOD chose us four our glory because HE loves us. JESUS did the impossible and came back to life. Meanwhile, the rulers of this world saw their power diminish steadily.

 

The powers that try to block GOD’s message will recede like flood waters. Nothing and no one can stop GOD’s message from being told from HIS chosen people. I am grateful GOD chose me to proclaim HIS message.

 

• Do you feel trapped?
• Do you think the rulers of this world can stop the message of GOD that HE has in store for you?
• Will you focus on GOD’s wisdom, knowing the barriers you face are temporary and diminishing each day so the very thing GOD prepared will happen today?

Infectious

 

Infectious

Romans 9: ²⁷ And Isaiah exclaims about Israel: “Even if the people of Israel are as many as the grains of sand by the sea, yet only a few of them will be saved; ²⁸ for the Lord will quickly settle his full account with the world.” ²⁹ It is as Isaiah had said before, “If the Lord Almighty had not left us some descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

 

============

 

Raining and gloomy, it was a day where everyone on the bus felt despair. As I sat, dreading my work destination, I could see a person smiling. Actually he was laughing. I brushed it off as another person who was going through some weird stuff. But I could not stop looking at him. I felt better. He got up and said, “GOD bless all of you” as he departed the bus. My day wasn’t as bad.

 

• There have been some people who have changed my attitude with a simple smile.
• There have been some people who made me laugh because they were laughing.
• There have been some people who had a positive effect on me simply because they were there.

 

Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah to get his point across. It doesn’t matter how large the number, many people would choose to walk away from GOD. BUT GOD left a few descendants so this would not happen.

 

• GOD wants me to be infectious to my family and neighbors.
• GOD wants me to speak about HIS SON, no matter the circumstance.
• GOD wants me to point to HIS strength, not my own.

 

Being infectious means rising above the current situation. I mean, the winds and storms of life look very scary at times. BUT GOD places me in the middle of the storm to be a beacon of light pointing to HIM.

 

Only a few descendants kept following HIS word and JESUS was born as a human. If it weren’t for those few, salvation would not have come about. JESUS then lived out a perfect life and was murdered by HIS creation. HE rose from the dead and infected those who believe in HIM with the HOLY SPIRIT. I am glad to be infectious to the world.

 

• Does the situation around you seem dismal?
• Are you looking at the storm versus seeing the Savior?
• Will you ask GOD for the strength to be the one who is calm in the middle of the storm so others can see JESUS through you today?

Nothing is Impossible

Matthew 17: ¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

¹⁷ “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

²⁰ He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

============

Faith is a strange thing. It is not enveloped in my lust, desires or sight. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. But what should I hope for? Should I hope to be the richest person on the planet? Should I hope that a person be healed from a terminal illness?

• GOD loves when I align my desires with HIS.
• GOD sees my tiny faith and couples it to HIS.
• GOD gets excited when I use my faith for something HE believes in.

Sometimes I thought faith was having magical powers to do some impossible things… quite the contrary. GOD wants me to believe HE can do anything and have the faith to watch the situation unfold in HIS timing.

• Faith takes time to grow as I account for the many times GOD has rescued me.
• Faith means I watch GOD at work daily to understand just how amazing HE is.
• Faith is quite powerful and only comes from GOD.

When I think “I” have to have faith I fail. When I believe GOD can do anything and I rely on HIM I succeed abundantly!

• Do you have faith in GOD?
• Do you believe HE can do anything?
• Will you allow HIM to handle the situation, HIS way in HIS time?

Belief and Power

Matthew 9: ¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. ²¹ She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, ²⁴ he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News of this spread through all that region.

============

“Absurd” comes to mind when I read this passage. Dead means dead! Why in the world would this guy even think this method would work? I read on. “Absurd again” came to mind. How could a person think that touching a garment would heal the body?

• Belief seems absurd from the outside looking in.
• Belief seems like something only crazy people or poor people do.
• Belief seems to be a last resort rather than a first response.

What I like about this passage is the immediacy of those involved. The synagogue leader immediately went to JESUS, knowing JESUS could do something about the situation. He didn’t say she “may” live, he said she “will” live. The bleeding, ostracized woman said the same. She did not say “Maybe I will be healed and if I’m not then I will try something else.” No, she said “I will be healed.”

• JESUS showed HIS power over death in order to grow my faith in HIM.
• JESUS gave me an example of HIS power in order to make me believe HE can do anything in my life.
• JESUS healed people in order to tell me “Do not worry about your situation, I can handle it.”

If I could just touch HIS garment or get HIS attention then HE can heal anything, should be my way of thinking. I should act like JESUS has the power I read about. JESUS looks at me the same way HE sees these people. The little girl did not ask to be raised from the dead, nor did the woman ask JESUS to be healed.

JESUS wanted the best for them and wants the same for me. HE heals me daily.

• Are you wounded?
• Do you feel your life is dead?
• Can you stop believing in the worst and start believing that JESUS can heal your situation?
• Will you say “GOD WILL” instead of doubting HIM?

Facing Huge Challenges

Haggai 2: ⁴ But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ⁵ ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

============

Nervous about the journey I set out by myself. I had never traveled this far alone. “Which block do I turn down?” Dogs could sense my fear as I scurried past them. I made it to school safely. This was huge! Years later, with little to no counseling, I applied for college. I stood in the wrong line to sign up for classes and had no idea how to study, but somehow I made it.

Still years later I had just implemented technology to make the company more money. After the celebration, the position I held was eliminated. I was back to asking “Which way should I go?”

• There have been many times I have been faced with walking blindly.
• There have been many times I have had to go places that seemed unknown.
• There have been many times I have been in an impossible situation that seemed like I would overwhelmingly fail.

In each instance I felt like giving up. I mean I had no help, no one to guide me and the odds seemed impossible. BUT GOD always had a different message.

• GOD said to me “Be strong for I brought you out of Egypt.”
• GOD said to me “Be strong for I have been with you every step of the way.”
• GOD said to me “Be strong for MY SPIRIT remains among you. Do not fear.”

I left out a part in each story. When I felt like giving up, GOD showed me the way. Inevitably a person would pop up and guide me to a better place. HE placed HIS servants all over the world and enabled me to be guided in places I never would have dreamed of. HE has led me to still waters and restored my soul.

• Do you feel lost?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you stop looking for the destination and seek GOD who will give you strength?
• Will you ask HIM for HIS direction and deliverance today?

Anything with Prayer

Amos 7: This is what the Sovereign Lord showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts after the king’s share had been harvested and just as the late crops were coming up. ² When they had stripped the land clean, I cried out, “Sovereign Lord, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small!”

³ So the Lord relented.

“This will not happen,” the Lord said.

============

When another problem popped up I sprang into action. I had been around some very smart and confident people who seemed to be able to “think” their way out of situations, so I put my brain to the test. When my plans failed horribly I then turned to GOD.

• Sometimes I think I can outsmart my situation.
• Sometimes I think I can out-plan my situation.
• Sometimes I think I can out-finance my situation.

“If I just had a little more money” or “If I just had another lesson” or “If I just had a better car, phone or suit” then, and I would fill in the blank to my desire. I would then start acting on my plan. While this seems quite harmless there is one missing important ingredient, namely GOD.

• GOD wants me to pray to HIM before I move forward.
• GOD wants me to believe HE listens to my prayers so I must have faith in HIS decisions.
• GOD wants me to cry out to HIM in any situation, knowing HE wants what is best for me.

Even the largest situation that could have affected many people was turned back because of prayer. GOD still hears prayer. HE is listening right now waiting on my cry. I love GOD’s patience with me!

“LORD, please bless the reader right now. Let them know YOU care by handling their most difficult situation right now! Forgive! amen.

• Do you have a large situation you are facing?
• Do you feel there is no way out?
• Can you cry to the LORD and ask HIM for forgiveness today?

Getting out of the Trap

Psalm 129: ¹ “They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,”
    let Israel say;
² “they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory over me.
³ Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
⁴ But the Lord is righteous;
    he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.”

============

“Will I ever get out of here?” I sat and thought. Bullies on the left and poverty on the right, was a thought I had in eighth grade. “Will I ever get out of here?” I sat and thought. This time, difficult teachers and no help or direction prompted my thinking in high school. “Will I ever get out of here?” I sat and thought. This time I had a very boring job in a town I despised and I had no contacts.

• There are some places in life that seemed like I would remain forever.
• There are some places in life that seemed like I would never leave.
• There are some places in life that seemed as if I was stuck with no way out.

Looking forward during those difficult times, the road seemed endless. I mean who can do four whole years of high school, my young mind could not conceive. Looking back at that trial is only laughable compared to the trials of an adult. GOD had a plan for me.

• GOD is always there for me when I question the road HE has me on.
• GOD is always there for me when the road seems bleak and I have nothing inside of “me” to resolve the current situation.
• GOD is always there for me when things seem impossible to me.

When I look at my power and assess my skills I quickly get nervous. I compare what I know with what’s ahead of me and immediately feel like giving up, BUT GOD has shown to be ever faithful. HE says “When you are weakest, MY strength is made perfect.” GOD is my salvation, whom shall I fear?

• Are you nervous?
• Are you feeling frightened by your surroundings?
• Can you be still for a moment today and listen to GOD?
• Will you accept the peace HE has for you this day?

Endure with Delight

Psalm 1: ¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

============

“Trust in the LORD and lean not unto your own understanding” is what my mother would say to me. “Yeah, yeah” I thought to myself. I did not ponder these words until I had to experience them myself. Soon real trouble came and I was on my own with no one to turn to. “What was she trying to tell me?”

• Words in the Bible were more “poetic” to me than experience.
• Words in the Bible were more “mysterious” to me than fact.
• Words in the Bible were more “interpretive” to me than a means to grow.

Now that the waters of trouble have pounded against me for years, I can say “I understand.” Each day is faced with new challenges and I need something to hold onto. What should I delight in?

• GOD gave me a path that I can choose to be on each day.
• GOD gave me relationships that I can show HIS love.
• GOD gave me HIS Word that if I believe and trust in HIM I will have everlasting life.

Trouble comes in waves pounding against my soul, BUT GOD gave me a way to endure. If I pay attention to what HE says through my Bible, my church and my relationships, I can hear HIM clearly. I can delight and meditate on HIS deliverance in spite of what’s going on around me. This plants my soul deep in trust and absorbs the nutrients of faith, love and hope that is provided by GOD’s river.

• Is your mind troubled?
• Do you have situations that seem utterly impossible?
• Can you meditate on GOD’s ways?
• Will you look at HIS word and read peace into your soul today?

GOD chooses some strange methods

1 Samuel 14: ⁶ Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”

============

“You have a great idea! Why don’t you run with it? But you don’t have any budget” were the words of the guy who was trying to trip me up.  The idea was huge and would require a lot of resources. I felt trapped.

• Sometimes when I face a giant circumstance I panic.
• Sometimes when I face a huge situation I get scared.
• Sometimes when I face a humongous obstacle I fall down and get tired of running.

After the trapped feeling was over, the LORD blessed me with a confusing peace. I made some phone calls and got people to volunteer their efforts in this huge undertaking. To my surprise, we were more than successful! I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised.

• GOD has all the power so I need to trust HIM.
• GOD has all the might so the situation has to bow to HIM.
• GOD has all the strength so the circumstance will be in trouble if it tries to get in the way of GOD’s plan.

Fear has a tendency to blind me and make me think there is no way out. GOD laughs at the circumstance because HIS might is incredible! HE provides manna and incredible dwelling places. His desire is peace and wants me to feel HIS love on a daily basis.

I can face the day without fear and know HE is my deliverance!

• Are you facing a giant?
• Do you realize the giant has to bow down to GOD?
• Can you look to GOD and be filled with courage this day?
• Won’t you stop groveling at the circumstance and get up because GOD is with you? 

Will it get any harder?

Exodus 5: ²² Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? ²³ Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.”

============

“I think I’ll start going to church” was my decision that I finally made. It had been a long time and a lot of sins that a church had seen me. The pastor spoke, I felt good, and life was good. Weeks later someone broke in my car and stole all my music.

Around the same time I was trying to sell an old car and the transmission went out on it. Then to top it off, I had unbearable pains in my chest. Isn’t life supposed to be better now that I am serving GOD? It seems to be worse! GOD where are you?

• When I start serving GOD I can expect opposition.
• When I give my life to GOD I can expect things to go wrong.
• When I pledge my allegiance to GOD I can expect retaliation from the enemy.

It seems like the moment I decide to serve GOD, things go downhill. Pressures of life, temptation to follow corruption and a desire to jump on the easy road all become obstacles to following GOD. It doesn’t get easier because few will say “It’s great that you are following GOD” rather they will exclaim “Why not do what we are doing?”

• GOD says to me “stay the course.”
• GOD says to me “don’t give up or give in.”
• GOD says to me “people may doubt but I AM with you always.”

GOD’s love for me is unfailing in spite of my sins. When I turn my face to HIS, my back is turned to those who do not follow HIM. Opposition will arise but GOD’s love and power is unmatched!

• Have you decided to follow GOD and more trouble has popped up?
• When you said “I give my life to YOU LORD” did things start getting worse?
• Can you still see that GOD loves you tremendously?
• Won’t you take a moment to release the situation and praise HIM?

GOD is concerned

Exodus 3: ⁷ The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. ⁸ So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.

============

Sitting in my apartment, staring out in space, life seemed to be a mess.  My grades were suffering.  It seemed as if every bill collector knew my phone number.  Then a knock on the door startled me into reality. “Who is it?” I asked. They said my name with an inflection of inquisition.

“Yes” I replied. “You’ve been served” the sheriff replied. In my helpless stupor I had not paid a number of parking tickets.  “Why is this happening to me?” I screamed out!

• “Why me” is the question I scream when things seem to be going wrong.
• “What now” is the question I exclaim when yet another situation arises.
• “How long” is the question I moan when the trial seems to go on and on.

“Is GOD even listening to me” is usually the thought that pops in my head when things seem to go off track. Then I try to get righteous by telling GOD how good I am by rolling down a list of how I served HIM in the past as if HE doesn’t know. Maybe I am thinking of GOD the wrong way.

• GOD is concerned when I go through trials.
• GOD is concerned when I hurt inside.
• GOD is concerned when trouble knocks on my door.

HE is so concerned about me that HE decided to do something about it.  JESUS volunteered to rescue me from death and the FATHER and HOLY SPIRIT agreed. My belief in the act of JESUS becoming a human to die specifically for me and HIS resurrection relieves my situation.

I am now part of the most powerful family I could ever ask for. Now GOD’s promises flow over me and I am truly forgiven and blessed in spite of my sins and situations.

• Are you going through something?
• Does it seem like you have been in the same situation for a while?
• Can you stop fretting for a moment to praise GOD for HIS many blessings anyway?
• Won’t you open your heart to the understanding that GOD is concerned about you?

GOD even uses evil for good

Genesis 45: ⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! ⁵ And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

⁶ For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. ⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

⁸ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

============

Scared and confused I left a company that I had poured heart and soul into. I had run into the wrong mix of people and found myself on the outside of “the club.” For a while I felt like I was in the desert. “GOD where are you?” I would cry out.

The desire to start a business was swelling in me. I pursued many options but nothing seemed right. I finally settled on a path and GOD started delivering people to me in droves. Many have helped me and some I helped. I prayed with many and cried with them. I never would have met these people if GOD hadn’t sent me.

• GOD knows I have to face painful situations so I can grow.
• GOD understands I have to face adversity in order to be made into what HE wants me to be.
• GOD delivers me into HIS house in spite of any evil plan thought up by others or me.

Humans think they have control of lives and situations BUT GOD knows better. HIS plans are far above my thoughts, desires or worries. HE is the deliverer of my salvation!

• Are you going through something?
• Do you think GOD has left you alone?
• Won’t you open your eyes and see HIS deliverance?
• Can’t you give HIM your best AND your worst so HE can show you HIS plan?

All things are possible

Genesis 18: ¹³ Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

¹⁵ Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

============

Patting my picket I noticed I didn’t have enough money to get on the bus. To my dismay, my money had fallen out of a hole in my pocket. And I couldn’t get home. I was too ashamed to ask people for money.  The bus stopped right in front of me and a person handed me their “bus transfer” ticket. I got a free ride home that day.  It’s hard to believe GOD had a plan for me to run a large department of a corporation someday.

• There are times when things seem impossible.
• There are times when only a miracle would transform my situation.
• There are times when life seems unfair to me.

Current situations blind me to what truly is possible. I think the world is ending because I’m seeing things through a dismal view.  If anyone would have told me my future, I would have laughed.

• GOD knows the future and doesn’t want me to doubt HIS power.
• GOD knows what HE is capable of and doesn’t want me to laugh at HIS might.
• GOD knows HIS plan for me and doesn’t want me to stray away from HIS path.

When I have bad days it seems like GOD doesn’t know what HE is doing. GOD knew the day would be a struggle and has taken that into account with HIS plan for me. All things are possible!

• Do you think your situation is impossible?
• Do you feel a bit lost?
• Can you stop for a moment and ponder GOD’s power?
• Won’t you believe that if HE says it you should believe it?

GOD is with you through the tough times

Genesis 15: After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:

“Do not be afraid, Abram.
    I am your shield,
    your very great reward.

============

As I sat at my desk I calculated just how much work I had to do to get the project finished.  My boss seemed to care less about our health and well being and just wanted everything done. I actually thought this was going to be the place I was going to retire from.  I tried to look at my future but the more I looked at it the more frightened I became. What was I going to do?

• When things look difficult I can only see problems.
• When situations get tough I get blinded by my circumstances and I fret about the outcome.
• When obstacles are placed in front of me I think there is no way out and I get frightened.

One problem with looking into the future is I don’t own it. In other words I have never been in the future so why do I think it is going to be as bad as my mind is making it.  Looking back on the many times I have been scared about situations I realize GOD brought me through them and made me a bit stronger.

• GOD said “Do not be afraid” for HE alone holds the future.
• GOD said “I am your shield” so anything that will harm my soul will be guarded by HIM.
• GOD said “I am your great reward” so instead of thinking of the solution to my circumstance I should be thinking about how GOD is using this to grow me.

Life has its difficult moments and GOD knows I will be frightened about the future BUT HE wants me to focus on HIM rather than the circumstance to grow me and mature me in areas HE knows I need to grow.

• Are you going through something?
• Do you believe you need to grow?
• Can you understand that GOD knows you and loves you deeply?
• Won’t you let go of your fears and allow GOD to grow you today?