|
We should always keep in mind that while we are in the world trials and
tribulations are sure to come our way, but the good news is we have an
Advocate that has promised that while the trials may come, our victory is
promised regardless. We must simply stay in faith and have the right
attitude knowing that we will get through any situation and come out from
it better than we were before. Our confidence should always remain strong
in the Lord. He has never failed His Saints. One merely needs to go
through the Old Testament and New Testament to see that God is faithful to
those who rely on and trust in Him. As long as we keep our eyes on the
Lord, nothing shall overtake us or grasp us out of God's Mighty Hand. Be
encouraged to reinvigorate your faith in the Lord and know that your trials
are not here to stay, but they will soon pass and you will become better
than you ever were before. (John 16:33) (Job 42:12-17) (James 1:2-5)
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to remain in faith
no matter what you may be going through right now. Be confident in God's
ability to meet your needs and proclaim by faith that all things will work
together for your good because you love God and are called according to
His purposes.
GOD UNDERSTANDS
“He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die.
`I have had enough, Lord,' he said. `Take my life...'” 1 Kings 19:4 NIV.
This is a remarkable chapter in the Bible. We think of Elijah as a rugged
individualist and the strong prophet of the Lord. Now here we have the
eminent Elijah sinking from triumph to despair! We find that he is subject
to the human emotions we all feel at times. Who of us has not said, “I
have had enough of this!” But God doesn't answer this prayer; instead, He
sends an angel, not once but twice, to Elijah to feed him.
When Elijah is strong again, he travels on to Mt. Horeb--and then he hides
in a cave -- how human! God isn't going to let him get away with that,
either. “What are you doing here, Elijah, so far away from your duties?
What are you doing here, Elijah, you of all My people who should have
remained at your post? My past compassions to you should have strengthened
and served you especially for a time such as this.”
God understands when we cry out in exhaustion and heartache and despair.
The strain of Mount Carmel, Jezebel's threat to kill him, and utter fatigue
simply overwhelmed Elijah. Elijah's heart withered at the thought that he
had failed, so he headed for a cave, and God loved him still. Just as God
brought Elijah out of the cave of his anguish, so God will bring us out of
the darkness of our personal cave into His light once again (Psalm 18:28).
Elijah thought his labor was useless; that it had come to nothing. Those
with the highest and holiest purposes are often the very ones who
experience such intense dejection and rejection.
A saint left this thought for us: “So, in the Lord's ministry, the nucleus
of the Church was not found in the applauding multitudes on Olivet, but in
the few faithful ones in the garden of Gethsemane.” Sometimes we have to
enter the cave for the contrast of light and darkness, and then come out
for an even better perspective and service for our Lord. One of the lessons
I digested from this wonderful chapter is that God is very concerned about
our physical welfare. He sent an angel to refresh Elijah with food and
sleep, and God sends us an angel to refresh us. After our son's death, I
lost my appetite for a while, which is normal. When I read this particular
chapter, I realized that God is telling us that He wants us to keep up our
strength for He has special plans for us. Indeed, in the loving friends
who come with physical and spiritual sustenance for us, God is sending His
angels!
O Father, thank You for the angels You send every day to minister to us.
And may we become angels in our turn to minister to others in their needs,
as our hearts and bodies heal.
By Patricia Erwin Nordman
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with
the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we
are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Psalm 103:10-14 “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us
according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so
great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from
the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a
father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him. For
He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men
count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Romans 10:9-11 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead,
thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture
saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: HE TOOK MY PLACE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem170.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: MY GOD IS AWESOME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony3.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
