2024-06-14
Good Morning Dear Ones,
A good beginning place is PS 91: 1-2, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my Refuge and Fortress, my God in Whom I trust.’” This makes me think of what a very young person does when as an infant, he is wrapped in a soft, clean blanket being held by an ideally, loving parent. That infant’s world is secure, and his every need is supplied. Obviously, we are not infants, and many of us have been knocked around by the challenges of adult life in a fallen world. Nevertheless, we do have a Parent Who loves us, grants us grace and mercy, and advises us when we are in trouble. This very responsible Parent allows for us to have a measured amount of trouble, so that we can mature spiritually, let the faith He gives us work in our favor, and eventually (at His perfect time and way) be called home to Him. Of course, this picture is what God wants for every believer in His Son, Jesus Christ.
The parable of the Wedding Feast [MT 22: 1-14] lets us know that things don’t always go God’s way. He’s given us our free agency to choose if we allow the instructions, He gives us to be used wisely or wasted. Verse 14, “For many are invited, but few are chosen,” explains this this truth. We all know God’s enemy is the evil one, and he is most anxious to reduce the number of people who are glorified, i.e. brought up to God’s eternal Kingdom to enjoy a sweet fellowship with Him forever. Should we worry about the activities of the evil one? The subject of our needs is taken up in MT 6, and Christ makes it clear that worrying is useless. MT 6: 32-34, tells us that unbelievers run after things (food, drink, clothing, etc.) and the Lord says, “Your heavenly Father knows you need them. But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
A fundamental question is: How can one’s faith work to get him through the challenges that come. Paul, in 1 COR 10: 13 relates a promise that helps to give us God’s perspective. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will provide you with a way out so that you can endure it.” Believers can rely on our Lord Jesus Christ. God has promised never to abandon us [PS 9: 9-10] and is near to us [PS 145: 18-19]. There is nothing, good or evil, that escapes His notice [HE 4: 13]. God is truthful and never lies because He has no evil in Him [HE 4: 12; 1 JN 1: 5]. One example is a family who are friends of mine. Cancer is the evil that has struck three people in this family, two parents and their adult, mentally challenged daughter. All the while, the parents in this family have relied on the Lord, sending updates that reflect how the faith God gave them, faith that has taken them through these difficult challenges. Their love of the Scriptures is palpable. Seeing how they deal with such severe challenges is impressive and a great example for the rest of us. Both the parents are in remission now; however, their daughter is amidst her battle with this terrible illness-- with the help of God and her parents.
How can we connect with God when in the “belly of the beast” or at any time? We must visit His shelter often, both in prayer and listening, for His direction. The most efficient way is to make time as often as we can for Him, just as Jesus did [MT 14: 23]. MT 6: 6, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, Who is unseen. Then, your Father Who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” I’m not speaking of material reward here, but of wise advice, friendship, love, help in dealing with your troubles, or other things that bring us in closer relationship with Him. He has given us the Scriptures and shown us their value [2 TIM 3: 16-17]. True believers will fall in love with them. But God also wants us to have an active, dynamic, and close relationship with Him.
PRAYER: O Lord, we are so very grateful that You watch over us and give us correction when we need it. Your intervention in our lives is what we need to work through our trouble. We know You want us to trust You and pledge our faith and obedience to You. We are imperfect and have learned that just as grapes can’t thrive without being attached to the vine, we too must be in relationship with You to work through our challenges successfully [JN 15: 5]. We are told, in LK 6: 36, “Be merciful just as Your Father is merciful.” You are loving and kind, like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who have reverence for You [PS 103: 13]. Thank You and praise You for loving us the way You do. In the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I am commanded by the Holy Spirit to write more about how God sees us next week. We’ll look at the remarkable example that Job sets for us, an example of the kind of faith that God can give those who will listen to Him and visit His shelter often. JOB 19: 25-27, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin as been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” We must remember that traditional Jews like Job have not yet accepted what God eventually explained in 1 COR 15: 51-58. All that He has given us in the NT really helps us to understand the extent to which our God loves us. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn, JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2024. All Rights Reserved
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