03/20/2022
Christian’s, we are, by our faith, able to defy the trials of life, and find joy amidst the most terrible suffering that the world can throw at us. By focusing our attention and prayers on Jesus, who stands beside us in every storm, and beckons us to come with Him to higher ground, we are confident in our deliverance, peace, and joy. The unbeliever finds this incredulous, and beyond what any reasonable person might do given such circumstances. They ask themselves how a tortured soul could find even a smidgen of joy amidst such suffering… and yet in Christ we do; we rise up.
“as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.”
2 Corinthians 6:10 ESV
I watched a small water bird, an American Dipper, as it darted about on the rushing waters of a mountain stream. It seemed to defy the laws of nature as it dove down into the churning white water then popped up again further upstream where it would hop onto a rock, or swim into an eddy current, bobbing about happily, and singing. I watched this spectacle for nearly an hour, thinking all the while that this tiny bird lived outside of reasoned harm, and was not effected in the least by what would sweep me away to my death. In our faith we are made to defy sorrow, and tribulation, much as this tiny bird defies the current. We suffer the onslaught, and yet shake the water from our backs as easily as the Dipper rising from a pool of still water.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah”
Psalm 46:1, 3 ESV
Whether we find ourselves in a foaming torrent of rushing water, or immersed in some terrible sorrow, we are like the tiny Dipper, and in our belief we not only swim safely from rock to rock, but we are sheltered, fed, and strengthened, all within the hand of God. Though buffeted, we sing God’s praises in the face of every trial, and find His comfort and joy within every tear.
“Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!”
Psalm 95:1-2 ESV
We face the world’s torrents with courage, not our own, but with a courageous strength that only God can provide us. We might sweat blood, or cry out, but in the midst of our prayers an Angel will come to us, and our strength will be renewed. We will dart up to perch atop a rock, and sing His praises.
“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.””
Luke 22:43-46 ESV
So although the world finds us to be mysterious and marvels with wonder at what gives us such determined joy, all the while comparing our strength to lions, we find the answer to our courage in the humble nature of young children, and in the life of a tiny bird… a fragile Dipper that does what only the Lord can make possible. This is the world’s awe, and our certain promise.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,”
Matthew 18:4-5 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for making the last to be first, and the greatest to serve the least. Thank you for taking what a reasoning man might think true by his own wisdom, and showing us that you are able to do greater, and more mysterious things than these. Help us to believe, and establish our peace and joy in the faith we have in you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who does amazing things through the least of us, and who can convey awe to us through even a tiny bird. Praised be your name for every glimpse we receive into the control you have over the world, and for the joy we find in the midst of storms, and pleasant days, alike. You are merciful, and lift us from the raging waters. Your grace astounds us and your might defies what men believe to be possible. Wash our feet in living water Jesus, and cleanse us with your blood. Forgive us our sins, and hold us up to the Father, perfected by your transformation, and made righteous in your image. Father call us worthy, call us your children, and like the small American Dipper, use us to amaze creation, and bring glory to yourself.
Rich Forbes