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“Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went....And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.” 2 Samuel 8: 6, 14
David had been at war with his enemies. He took on all comers and he won. Wherever he decided to go, God preserved him. In life, we are faced with many obstacles. Some we choose to confront, some that come as a surprise. As David learned, no matter where we find ourselves God is there preserving us. We can face today with full confidence that God has His hands on our life. We don’t have to fear the adversity that comes our way. We also don’t have to run from any battles that are before us. We can overcome all battles through our faith in God. God has placed greatness in us and when we realize who we are, no enemy stands a chance against us. Walk with confidence, God has your back.
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Many times we can see things one way and be frustrated by what we see. But someone from another vantage point sees the same situation from a completely different perspective. When you look at your lives do you see good or do you see bad?
When a lame man was sitting next to a pool looking for someone to put him in the water to receive his healing. Jesus saw the man and asked, "Wilt thou be made whole?" Jesus is asking us the same question to us. Do you really want to be healed? Then Jesus says to the man "Arise, take up thy bed and walk" the man immediately got up and walked away healed from his lifelong infirmity. John 5:1-9 Jesus looking at that man saw his situation from a different vantage point. The man saw his affliction, Jesus saw his deliverance. If we could just change our vantage point we could be healed from the afflictions that we are in. Jesus is standing over us waiting for us to "Arise" (change our vantage point) and receive our deliverance. I want to encourage you to change from your natural vantage point and turn your heart to Christ that you may arise to His vantage point. In Him we move, live and have our being. Acts 17:28 Naturally, our circumstances may seem hopeless, but in Christ, we find hope that overcomes all circumstances. Change your vantage point. It will change your life. I take comfort in knowing that God keeps His promises. It is the waiting for the promise that can be frustrating. You see, I know faith is required to endure the waiting process but it is not easy. I am conditioned to not be patient. I am bombarded with products that are supposed to make my life easier but only make it more confusing. Nothing I do and nothing I have can replace the desire for God's promises. That is why it is frustrating. I try to work for the promise but God wants to give the promise.
When we stop looking for the promise, we will see the promise. We don't have to work for it but surrender to it. God has great things in store for us and if we keep the faith. God told Abram I will make you a great nation. The revelation is I am the promise. We are the promise. When we surrender to what God has spoken over our lives. God will make us great, we just follow where He leads. "In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." John 5:3-8
I can get complacent, waiting for something to inspire me to action. I am not waiting on God, God is waiting for me to act. The man was sitting waiting for a man to come put him in the pool at the right time so that he could be healed. He believed in someone else's ability to help him but did not believe he could help himself. Think about how many people passed this man ignoring him and his situation. Sometimes I feel like this man, waiting for someone to notice my situation and be willing to help me overcome my challenges, and no one comes to my rescue. But God does not want me to remain impotent he wants me to be whole. "Get off your butt and get to work." I don't need someone to come rescue me for I have already been rescued. Like the impotent man God has already given me the gift of healing, I just have to accept it and use it. Whatever I desire God has already placed it in my heart and when I get to business my needs are met continually. So, if you find yourself, stuck, looking for a sign or something to inspire you to action. Realize that you already have what you need, you just have to get off your butt and get to work. God is greater than the adversity before me, He rests upon my situation.
Giving me the strength to learn from all things. In the midst of the storm, I discover peace that quiets my soul. I am filled not by words, not by rewards, but by the presence of His loving hand. In his arms, I find rest which calms my fears. I am known not by the masses but by my creator. He loves me and with His support, I am delivered from the sea of images and placed in the light of His grace. I see a reflection that it sings of who I AM. "Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit." Ecclesiastes 4:6
As I reflect on this passage I think about all the times I have worked so hard to get my hands full. By the time my hands are full, I am too exhausted to enjoy what I have. When I study this verse it is not saying you have little but rather you have a handful. One hand is full while the other is free. Which to me means I have more than enough and I have peace to go along with it. When my children play with their toys, they gather all their toys in both hands so no one can play with their toys but them. They are so worried about someone taking what they have that they can't play with their toys. I rather have one "toy" and get to play with it than ten "toys" and never get to enjoy them. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Today appreciate the handful that life has to offer and embrace the peace as it comes with it. "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:7-8
Many of us have been praying to God for Him to move in our lives. As the days go by, it sometimes feels like He is not going to come to our rescue. But God hears our cry before we even utter them. He knows what we need and it is certain that He will come and fulfill every promise. What He desires is to find us still believing in Him. Will we endure our situations until our Just Judge comes to our rescue or will we lose hope in our Savior? Jesus desires for us to hold onto our faith. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-4 No matter what may happen we must hold to our faith. When Jesus comes, let Him find faith in our heart not doubt.  If my wife is afraid of me how can she enjoy my presence? She can't. She will avoid being in my presence and try to communicate with me from a distance. This is how we are with God.
We are afraid of God. We are afraid if we make a mistake He will punish us. We are afraid He will condemn us. We are so afraid of God, that we don't get close enough to Him to know His true character. When God speaks to us, He does not condemn but reassures us by saying "Fear not". You don't have to be afraid. These two words "fear not" decreases the fear in us and increases our faith in Him. Allowing us to draw close to Him. God does not want us afraid of Him or our circumstances. He does not want us to be scared of the obstacles that stand in our way, we can take rest in His Word to "fear not" and God will give us victory over our circumstances. God is not a tyrant. He is a loving Father that wants the best for His children. Fear Not.  Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Jeremiah 1:8
Have you ever received a look that stopped you in your tracks? If we are going live our purpose we have to keep our eyes on Christ. The looks of others can stop us from pursuing all that God has for us. It is hard to see the looks of disapproval that speak "you are crazy" "you are making a mistake" "God is not speaking to you" "You are not good enough". God desires us to not look to others for validation but look to Him for direction. God has too much in store for us to be discouraged by the smirks and looks of naysayers. Take courage and know that God is for you and that He will come through for you if you trust Him. Our purpose is greater than their looks. Turn away from the ugly looks and see the beauty of God. His beauty is worth fighting for.  But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matthew 14:24-33
So, you decided to step off of the boat and do the impossible! All of your friends remain in the boat, watching as you begin your walk. They offer no encouragement and no cheers but your excitement has motivated you to move forward. You are amazed that you are doing the impossible but you are confronted with thoughts; ones that cause you to question your decision. In an instant, you begin to sink; you are consumed and overwhelmed by the weight of your actions. The others’ decision to stay in the safety of the boat is confirmed as you sink. No one comes to your rescue. You are left calling on the Infinite to save you; arms stretched out, surrendering to the One that called you out of the boat. God takes your hand and restores your life. As you rest safely on the boat and see the looks of contempt from your friends, you smile, excited to pursue the impossible once again. It is amazing how many dreams don’t get realized because we are afraid to pursue them. We would rather take the safe bet, than risk “losing it all.” I believe most of us realize that “playing it safe” won’t get us to where we want to be but somehow, we are okay with that. We don’t want to leave a sure thing for an uncertain thing. There comes a time when you have to make a decision, if you are willing, to do the impossible or to watch others do it. The choice is yours. You own it. We all have things that we want to do but our thoughts and fears stop us from doing them. We get so consumed with trying not to “rock the boat” that we lose sight of what is outside of it. There are “seeds” of greatness within you and they are watered by your faith and courage. When you decided to pursue your dreams, your “seeds” start to take root in you. The adversity that comes after that does not prevent you from reaching your dreams but it actually expedites the process. Don’t worry about who is watching you, just live. Make choices, make mistakes and surrender them both to God. In the end, it is God that performs in us. God moves in us in a way that shines a light on those who are watching us. We don’t have to convince anyone of our gifts and God’s presence in our lives, we just have to choose to come to God as we are; He will get us to where we need to be. When we look at the obstacles that surround us, it makes the impossible that must harder to reach. When we surrender to God, we no longer look to reach the impossible in our own strength but in God. You can do the impossible! Trust God by giving your life to Him and watch the waves recede in His presence. This will allow the impossible to be your new reality! |
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