Safetypinlove

The Parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus taught in Luke 10: 30-37 was in response to a Jewish lawyer’s question as to who exactly was his neighbor that he had to love? Robbers had left a man beaten and clinging to life when a Samaritan came upon him. He didn’t see a Jew that despised his culture, but a person needing help… and he refused to walk away as a Priest and Levite (both respected religious figures) and done earlier. The Samaritan didn’t know how the man got there…unconscious, bleeding and lying by the side of the road…all he saw was someone who desperately needed help. But neither did he judge, condemn, chastise, or desert him like the others. Instead, he offered unexpected kindness, active compassion, and mercy beyond the cultural boundaries between the two of them. So when Jesus asked the lawyer which man “loved his neighbor?”… the lawyer had to admit it was the person he least expected or wanted to love. To this Jesus said to him, “You go and do likewise.”

What happened next was Jesus’ first recorded miracle…turning water into wine at the Wedding in Cana. (John 2:1-11) But before the water was turned into wine, someone had to do the tedious and tiresome task of hauling 120-180 gallons of water. When we pray for a miracle, we want it to happen NOW…but more often it means obedience on our part FIRST in small, and often unseen submission. The wedding party had no idea where the wine came from…for it was only the servants who had filled those jars that were aware of the great miracle that had just happened before their eyes. So as you wait on the Lord, remember that obedience is the key…for God’s plan and purpose is in the process, not the end goal.

The whole purpose of lighting a lamp is that it may give light. God’s Truth is that light in the life of Believers…thus, as His faithful, we are to be openly living & sharing His light to the world. In Matthew 5:14-15, Jesus urges all Believers to, “Let your light shine.” This is because Jesus is the light of the world (John 1:9 & 8:12), and His light now shines through us, His Church. (I John 1:8-10) Therefore, the ultimate plan and purpose of Jesus’ Ministry here on earth was not to conceal God’s light, but to display it to all. (Mark 4:21-22) And as members of His Church, we are then to let His light shine through us.

When your heart is tired and your spirit is worn-out…remember God is your rest. He will renew your strength and carry you through the storm you’re going through today. The God Who commands the universe also stoops to empower, sustain, and encourage His children. (Psalm 68:35, Psalm 119:28, Jeremiah 31:25) Elsewhere in Isaiah, It tells us that God will heal, guide, and restore the weary and faint. But this takes daily dependence on God’s guidance with intentional fellowship on our part…modeling a rhythm of prayer, reflection, and obedience exemplified by His Son, Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:35, John 5:19-20)

The Hebrew word Selah is used 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in the Book of Habakkuk. Its exact meaning is unknown…some say it’s a musical term, while others suggest that it means to pause, listen, and reflect. Regardless, the word Selah is a reminder that not every moment requires a response…sometimes what’s needed is stillness on our part. Psalm 37:7, Psalm 46:10, and Zechariah 2:13 all tell us the same thing, “Be still and know that I am God.” That’s because, some of our most confusing moments are answered only when we stop our frantic fretting, wild anxious thoughts, and prideful self-reliance to pause and listen…quieting our heart and mind to hear God’s voice.

God-given wisdom is necessary to navigate life in this corrupt world today. In the Bible there’s a special group of writings called “Wisdom Literature”. Though the first to come to mind are Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes…several of the Psalms fall under this category also. Within Wisdom Literature, it compares life to a journey along two possible paths – one is the way of righteousness and the other the way of the wicked. And as with this verse, it warns of taking the wrong path. In correlation, I Corinthians 15:33 warns us that bad company corrupts good character. For if we hang around long enough with foolish people, it will reshape our thinking… which can only lead to compromise and poor decision-making on our part.

The Believer who walks in Jesus’ shadow will never lose their way. That’s because, to have a shadow, you must first have a bright light to have the shadow cast from. So when we are walking in Jesus’ shadow, we’re walking right behind Him…not running ahead or lagging far behind. God is light. (I John 1:5) and just like the pillar of fire that provided light and guidance to Israel in the wilderness, His Presence is the glory and revelation enabling us to walk confidently. (Psalm 89:15, John 8:12) Therefore, without the light of God’s Presence there can be no shadow of shelter, refuge, and protection to rest in as Psalm 91:1 explains. Remember then… follow closely behind Jesus and His shadow will safeguard your soul.

Our identification is in Jesus Christ…reflecting His image and character. And because our inherent worth and purpose is in Him… our lives must then be lived with intention… Divinely guided, so that our actions have meaningful impact. So in those times of silence when we’re simply trying to find our way back to ourselves. That’s when the promises of Colossians 3:3 & 3:10 give us hope. Our life is hidden with Christ in God, and our new life is secure in Him. And as we are transformed & renewed, we become fountains through which Christ can pour out His “Living Water.” Hence, if we have found Jesus, we have not lost ourselves.

God hears what isn’t spoken and understands what’s not explained. That’s because God’s love doesn’t depend on our words or thoughts but what’s in our heart. Psalm 139:23 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart.” which is an axion describing that God’s standards are inward, not outward…so we need to trust and invite Him to probe our innermost thoughts. For He fully understands our silence…hearing what we cannot express in words. So when words fail you, know God is already listening…and that even your silence is a form of worshipful prayer…expressing surrender and dependence in Him.

What comes in like a trial, God can cause to leave as a blessing. Every hurt, disappointment, or loss we don’t have the final word in… God does. That’s because it’s only by His supreme ability to override any tribulation… that curses can be transformed into blessings. So remember, God’s Will prevails over all and can change any trial into a blessing because He loves us. Therefore, allow this to fill you with hope as you rest in His love.