Isaiah 59:1 (ESV) 1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
This verse came across my mind as I spoke with a friend of mine from work. Now for sure,this verse in context,is speaking about the effects of sin; but, it also has an application in real life doesn't it? As my friend and myself compared notes about certain issues that we were both dealing with,it was like a stroll down memory lane.
There is nothing new under the sun is there?And herein lieth he lesson.
1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
As we spoke,it occurred to me that many times the difficult circumstances of life,if we are not careful, will overwhelm us.DOWN HERE, we wring our hands trying to figure it out......attempting to fix it don't we? However,UP THERE it's a little different isn't it? Huh? Up where Ronnie? Up there,you know up there in heaven.The sides of the north. UP THERE WHERE GOD RESIDES! God isn't wringing His hands about our circumstances is He? He's not worried about how He is going to fix our problem is He. He is not surprised by the changing tides of our lives.HE HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL.
Our fiery trials APPEAR to us as something insurmountable. A giant that will not relent or back away.But to God,as John Lennon said"It's just another day in the life." It's not new or unique to the Lord of Glory. In His realm there truly is"nothing new under the sun."
The problem lay with us doesn't it? It's not whether God is able.no,no.....Look again at Isaiah.it's a question of whether or not we will put it entirely in His hands and let Him take care as He sees fit.You see we will throw stuff at the giants in our lives.We throw money at them.We throw anger and worry and fretfulness at them.We sometimes will hide from them. Other times we will ignore them and pretend they don't exist,hoping that they will go away. Then finally after months and oftentimes years of fighting in our own strength and wisdom,exhausted and defeated we turn to God. After all else fails,read the instructions.
You see brothers and sisters God will let us exhaust ourselves trying to "fix" the problem. He will sit in the halls of heaven until we call on Him for help.
Psalm 50:14-15 (ESV) 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
As my friend Pastor Doug is liken to say,"God's got a problem,He really thinks He is God." He is not going to share His glory with another.
It has taken me the better part of a lifetime to learn that I CAN'T FIX IT AND I AM STILL NOT FULL THERE YET!! Instead of throwing everything but the kitchen sink at our problems,we will be lightyears ahead of the game if we will trust God and throw them at Him!!
1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Look at the first word. Humble. It is humbling to admit that it is beyond our ability.It is humbling to admit that we were WRONG when we thought we had all the answers. But, if and when we finally arrive at that truth, that is where we will find God patiently waiting for us to relinquish control of our problems and anxieties over to Him.To humbly admit our need of Him. And it is in that place that we will find answers to all our dilemmas and rest for our weary bodies and souls. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 31:1 (ESV) 1
God Bless
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