01/16/2020
When we are afraid where do we turn? When we are lost, threatened, or our world appears to be collapsing, where do we look for deliverance? In our confusion who do we look to for wisdom and guidance? If we turn to man, or to our own counsel, then we are teetering on the brink of disaster, but when we look to God, then our path is made straight, and the outcome of every challenge in life will most certainly be good.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
Psalms 56:3-4 ESV
Adversity draws many to Jesus Christ. Impending doom strips away every vestige of self-assuredness, and such things as these lead us to lean on our God in a fullness of humility, and need. So do we seek Him, or do we remain entrenched in the empty promises of the world?
“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
Isaiah 43:1 ESV
Bring out the scale and weigh God against all the men you know, and all the wisdom and strength you have... does He not tip the scale easily? He is the creator of the universe, the world, and all that is in it; yes, He created you, and everyone who you trust and surround yourself with. There is no help that is more certain or greater than His... the savior of the poor, and the provider of the least in spirit; the refuge and salvation of kings, and the champion of mighty men who suddenly find themselves lacking.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”
Psalms 46:1-3 ESV
if God were to stand before you like David stood before the army of Israel, and defeat your challenger like David did Goliath, then would you believe? Perhaps, but our God is Spirit, and our eyes are faith... In this way, without belief we are blind. So God remains when our physical circumstances have blinded us to the world, to those things we are inclined to turn to, to all those things we once held in our hands rather than in our heart, and our soul. In this way we are made to see all things through the same eyes, and weigh all our help on the same scale.
“"You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Deuteronomy 25:13-15 ESV
Whether we are rich or poor, intelligent or shallow minded, strong in battle or weak, our God is more than able to rescue us from our troubles. The fear of a king is no greater than that of his servant, and the hunger of the righteous no more or less painful than that of the sinner... so we should all turn to God equally for help, through Christ who is the way. Our power, money, and storehouses of food are just delusions and of no use or glory in heaven, or even before the enemies that God has placed before us to humble us. Our lowly estate is likewise of no protection because it is equally desired by Satan just as much as the wealthiest man, He is no less inclined to bring one as the other to his knees. So it is that before God we are all the same, and to Satan our souls are equally sought after.
“Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath.”
Psalms 62:9 ESV
So to whom do we turn in times of need? Do we run to the gates of the city, and to men, or does the Bible lead us to the Lord? Who is it that loves us so much that He has sent His Son to redeem us, and intercede for us? In our moments of great suffering, and fear, God is true to His Word, and faithful in our deliverance, but do our eyes see Him, our hearts embrace Him, and our prayers reach out to Him? Turn now to our Heavenly Father because He is our help...
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Psalms 23:4-6 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the help you provide me each day. Thank you Father for your strength, wisdom, and certain rescue. Thank you for your Son Jesus who You sent to redeem me from sin and death, and for your Holy Spirit that leads me in understanding your will for me. Help me Holy Father to praise you in the storms of my life, and to lean on the promise of your rescue. Teach me that the eyes of my faith are clear, and see truth in you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who delivers me, and clothes me in your armor. Great are you above all things, and certain is your weight which tips the scale of truth and goodness. All glory is yours Merciful Father, and by your grace I am lifted above all sin, suffering, and the temptations of this world. I worship you in the good times, and cast myself equally before you in the bad times... you are my ever present champion over all that comes against me, now and forevermore. Rescue me Lord, save me so that I can love and serve you more.
“who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,”
2 Timothy 1:9 ESV
Rich Forbes