Faith in Fiery Trials

 

    

 

    

    

Acts 28:1-6

 

Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live." 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

NIV

 

People are very fickle indeed. How they will interpret situations is pretty hard to guess.  In this passage of Scripture, the double mindedness of men is pretty easy to see.  When Paul  was bitten by the snake, they assumed him to be evil and deserving of death.  When it did not kill him,  just that quickly, they did a full 180-degree turn and decided instead that he was a "god".  Wow.  That was a huge leap.

So what can we learn from this story?  Many wonderful  life lessons are contained in this short account.  The first thing, and possibly the most important, is the truth that God protects His own.  Paul was on this island simply because of his ministry of telling people about Jesus.  He was being persecuted for his faith and God performed this miraculous sign on behalf of Paul. He allowed the snake to bite him, but not poison him.  We all bear witness that bad things happen to good people.  Godly  people.   Rain (pain and hardship) falls into the lives of all people.  But when you are a Christian, you can trust that God is watching over you, that He loves you, and that He will work it all out for your good.  This Bible is full of proof regarding these truths.

The second thing we can learn from this passage is the truth that people are watching our witness constantly and drawing conclusions from it.  Based on this one snake-bitten event, they drew two diametrically opposed conclusions: 1) He was a murderer;  2) He was a god.  We cannot necessarily sway how people will perceive our situation or our walk with God.  But we do need to make sure that we bear good fruit even in tough times.  And we need to keep our words lined up with our witness.  People are watching.  Our lives do not just belong to us.  When we give ourselves away at salvation, we are agreeing to allow our lives to be an evangelistic tool.  When life happens to us, it does not cancel our responsibility.

Finally, we can learn that when a bad thing happens, people can sometimes want to accuse us of deserving our circumstance.  People need to have a reason for pain, if one is not obvious, they invent one.  We must avoid being quick to judge.  We must be very careful in drawing conclusions based on partial information or at face value.  When trials come, so do the "friends of Job."  People will say the craziest stuff to hurting people.  Sometimes the comfort is as painful as the trial itself.  Pray for discernment and wisdom so that you can offer genuine comfort to the hurting.  To tell a bereaved spouse or parent that "God needed another angel" is not a comfort.  First of all, angels  are created being and humans do not become angels.  Second of all, it trivializes their pain and makes God sound selfish and cruel.  Of course, people say those things because they desire to help the person feel  better.  But when we are speaking to someone going through intense pain, we have to use an extra measure of mercy, wisdom and discernment.  Sometimes the very best thing we can say is "I love you.  I am sorry you are going through this."  Followed by a hug,  this is a one-size fits all comfort.  People need to know we love them. That we get that they are suffering and that we have come alongside them as best we can.

We all go through stuff.  The best of people can walk through the worst of circumstances.  We must choose to look for God in  our darkness and find comfort in His presence.

Dear God, I pray today for those walking through a fiery trial.  Please comfort and encourage them.  Send them helpful support, O God, and put a guard upon our mouths that we do not cause further pain.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

The Comfortless Soul

 

    

Ps 77:1-4

 

77 I cried out to God for help;

I cried out to God to hear me.

2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;

at night I stretched out untiring hands

and my soul refused to be comforted.

3 I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;

I mused, and my spirit grew faint.

Selah

4 You kept my eyes from closing;

I was too troubled to speak.

NIV

What feelings does this passage of Scripture bring to mind for you?  If you are in a happy place, perhaps it seems a little bit like a downer.   If you are in a trying place, chances are, it sounds like someone has been eavesdropping on your own laments.

All of us go through seasons like this at some point in our lives.  Occasionally, we experience this sense of being overwhelmed more frequently, depending on our life situation.  Regardless of the circumstances, the Word of God brings great comfort.

The thing that makes this passage so beautiful to me is that it perfectly fits what I am going through.  I feel understood.  And knowing that Almighty God chose to make this a part of Scripture, shows how much He understands me and my feelings.  I feel less horrible as a woman of faith when I read this and recognize that other godly people struggle at times.  It takes away some of the isolation that we can feel in our pain.

This portion of Scripture does not go on to reveal the resolution to the Psalmist's concerns.  But it does demonstrate the importance of calling upon God in the day of trouble.  When we have no words to quantify our fears and pain, Jesus understands.  He is able to hear the groaning of our heart.   He can interpret the language of tears.  He knows more about what troubles us than we do ourselves.  I find great solace in serving such an intimate, compassionate God.

I have stretched out untiring hands to God.  Repeatedly bringing my petitions before Him.  Other times, frankly, my hands and my heart became tired. But still, I continue to reach out to the only one who can truly help me.  God is my Source, my Deliverer, my Strong Tower.  I have to call these truths to mind when I am floundering around, desperate for direction. 

When I cannot speak...  when life keeps me from closing my eyes at night...when my soul refuses to be comforted...still I must hope on in faith.  Even then, with my last drop of strength, I will use it to call upon Jesus, and to reach out for His right hand of assistance.  He will not forsake you, His precious child.

No one  lives in a sunshine bubble all the time. Darkness and tears find their way into everyone's heart.  When this happens, take the heart of the Psalmist.  Refuse to be denied until Jesus comes to your rescue.  Run to Him!  Bare your soul.  He can handle your feelings  and your disillusionment.

Dear God, words escape me.  You know all about it.  I need something from you, Lord.  I don't even know what it is.  Help me Lord, you are my hope!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Everlasting Consolation

    

2 Thess 2:16-17

 

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

NKJV

 

What a great word today's verse is!  It is so rich in many wonderful aspects, it is almost like holding a prism up to a light. 

 

 

First of all, it reminds us of the wonderful truth that God loves us.  Sadly, this world is filled with people who have no idea that they are loved.  Especially by the Almighty God!  In all we say about God, we must always promote the fact that He is love!  He does not have a single motivation of His heart that is not born of love.  That is so reassuring! 

 

Furthermore, he has given us everlasting consolation!  As a kid, I loved to watch the games shows- The Price is Right; The Family Feud; and Wheel of Fortune.  I would always get tickled, especially on the Price is Right, when a person would bomb out big time and be sent home empty-handed...well, except for their lovely parting gift.  A consolation prize of a year's worth of "Rice a Roni" or some other item.  I almost imagined the person saying, "Well I lost 10,000, but that's OK, Bob.  Because now we have a free side dish for a whole year!"  That is pitiful consolation.

 

The kind of consolation that we receive in Christ is neither cheap nor paltry.  His consolation is rich, deep, and all encompassing.  There is not a hurt that we feel, that He does not have the balm to sooth away our pain.  His love and comfort penetrate to the deepest recesses of our heart and provide blessed relief and consolation.  This results in good  hope.  Not half-heart open but full-on, faith building hope!  He can make us believe that everything is going to be all right, even in the times that nothing looks alright.

 

He has give us an everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, which allows us to be established in every good word and work.  That is a mouthful!  To have good  thoughts, which later, turn into good words, takes a redemptive work of Jesus.  But He is able to put His words in my mouth and  anoint them to speak life into others and into the situations that I face.  His Words have creative power in them, and when we speak His Word within the context of the Bible, they are life-giving and life-changing!

 

Additionally, he establishes me in good works.  So much of what we do for Him is born of selfish motives, guilt, necessity and a need for recognition.  To be able to serve unselfishly and effectively is a by-product of the grace of God.  I am so thankful that He provides me with all I need to carry out the assignments that He is gives  me.  And He gives me the ability to be established in them.  He can make me solid, firm, sure and immovable!  That is pretty incredible when you think about how double-minded we can be within ourselves.

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the richness of Your Word, as well as the richness and depth of your grace.  I praise you and bless You for the grace, love, comfort and consolation that you have given me.  Help me to be a vessel to share these grace gifts with others.   In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

 

Finding God in Your Valley

  

 

"Yea, 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."  Ps 23:4 (NKJV)

 

Walking through the valley of the shadow of death.  That is deep and frightening imagery for many people.  It is a passage often read at funerals.  And equated with the end of life.  But I noticed during my Bible study a while back, that it does not say that the person is walking through death, but instead, the shadow of it.  Death is looming on all sides, closing in with claustrophobic oppression.  But it does not truly have a hold on the person passing through.

 

We all go through our own "dark night of the soul" where we face our fiercest battles and our toughest struggles.  This is a season where tears are shed, seemingly without end.  During this time, there is legitimate reason to be concerned about something.  Often, very real enemies  are presenting themselves- sickness, marital problems, problems  with your kid, job loss, etc.  Everyone walks here from time to time.  So what do we do during times of such great distress?

 

The Psalmist David, had it figured out. He went on to say, " I will fear no evil;  for you are with me."  God is our ever present paraclete- one who comes alongside.  He gives us strength, comfort and assurance.  He whispers faith that all will turn out well.  He drives back our enemy with whatever force is necessary; while simultaneously, keeping His tender and protective hand on us, His child. The rod and staff-used in the shepherding industry, is  used by our Great Shepherd, to keep us on the right pathway.  He uses it to discipline us and to "check" us for health.  Knowing He has the tools He  needs to guide and watch over me, brings comfort.

 

There have been times when our children were small, that they have worked themselves up to such a state that discipline became necessary.  After that, it is amazing to see how they settle down and become calm.  Sometimes we, as children of God,  just need to know he can bring a calm to all that frets our soul.  We need to realize that He is in control of everything in our environment.  None of it catches Him off guard or is beyond His ability to handle.

 

No matter what you are facing today, you do not walk alone.  Ask the Lord to reveal himself to your in your valley.  He will be faithful to do it.

 

Dear Lord, I pray for those who are walking through the valley of the shadow of death today.  Comfort them.  Protect them, drive back their fears and grant them peace.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

 

Tender Comfort

 

"Comfort, comfort my people,  says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." Isaiah 40:1-2

 

I love this picture of a tender, loving Father God.  Sure, I know He is just.  I know He is  all-powerful, holy and righteous.   I rejoice in all the characteristics of this awesome God.   But as someone who has fallen short of His righteousness, I rejoice to know that He is still tender toward me.  In this passage, the Israelites had displeased and disobeyed God, resulting in a period of chastisement.  But even  in this, Isaiah  was prophesying hope to them about a future time when their "time out" would be over and they would be restored to the Lord.

 

God is a loving and consistent Father. When we fail him, when we choose sin, He loves us too much to let it go unanswered.  There have been so many times as a mother that I have regretted needing to discipline my children.   I love them!  It hurts me to scold or administer discipline.  But something I have often told them is that I love them too much to let them be someone that others would dread to see coming!  The best for them is to have character rather than comfort at times.   Father God sees that we get a little bit of both, in good measure.  He chastens us to develop  our character and then  He comforts us, to prevent us from being too overcome to get up and try again.

 

As a Godly mom (which is my aim!), I try to not just discipline in anger but instead, to do it because it is needed.  Afterward, I try to speak words of love or affirmation to my son explaining why he was wrong and why the punishment was needful. Then, if am hitting the mark that day, I try to hug and restore them immediately to right fellowship with me.  I fail as a parent to reach this ideal, but I do try to mimic the way God parents me. When I repent, He takes me in His arms and restores me.  Jesus paid the price for my  restoration, therefore God does not need me to pay it again.  There are times, obviously, that there are repercussions for my folly.  We do reap what we sow.  But even then he speaks tender comfort to my heart. 

 

I sense someone needs to know today that God is not mad, He is speaking words of comfort and affirmation over you.  He loves you.  He wants you to lift you head and go forward.  Your sin is paid for,  do not try to cover the bill yourself.

 

 

Dear Lord, thank you for your discipline which is always based in love.  Thank you for tender comfort and heart of reconciliation toward me.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

 

Sherri