Safetypinlove

We all go through challenges, trials, and loss in the storms of life…it’s all part of living in this very broken world. But the big difference is what type of boat we have in the middle of the storm. For some, it’s a large seafaring yacht with an experienced captain at the helm who is very familiar with the waters. For others, it’s a leaky canoe…and they’re franticly baling water as the raging sea crashes over the side of their boat. Finally, there are those that are just drowning… with no life preserver, and totally at the mercy of the tempest. When our trust and confidence is in the Lord rather than in the storm…we know that He will led us to a safe harbor. But when we attempt to do it on our own…we can only be tossed and carried by the waves of life. But worse yet is abandoning ship only to be flung about and battered in the unforgiving sea. If you saw someone baling water in a swamped boat or drowning, you’d jump in and help if you could, right? Well, look around you today…be kind and helpful…for the storm is raging within many.

If you’ve never come face to face with the radical commitment Jesus demands of all Believers…I’d question where you are with your walk. We see this in both Matthew 8:18-22 and Luke 9:57-60, where Jesus addresses several men, who on the surface wanted to follow Him, but when pressed, refused to pledge their allegiance. That’s because following Jesus requires commitment and sacrifice…pitting spiritual devotion to all earthly attachments. For this involves total commitment to Jesus, sometimes at the expense of personal comfort, security, or even family ties. Therefore, we then need to seriously evaluate our willingness to follow Jesus with radical faith and trust…and without hesitation or excuses. For there is a cost to following Jesus…

Across the New as well as the Old Testament we read that God is a covenant-keeping, trustworthy, reliable, and promise keeping God. II Thessalonians 3:3 tells us that His steadfast faithfulness is unchanging, and James 1:17 adds that there are no inconsistences or fluctuations in His character. So in times of fear and uncertainty know that He is with you…He is your protector as you resist evil through faith and obedience in Him. For God is faithful to turn your battles into blessings…your tears into testimonies… and your loss into lessons, for His glory and your good..

When we face each day with thankfulness, even though we’re not sure what the day will bring…we can find beauty in the ordinary. Or as Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, we can see the goodness of God in every event, season, challenge, and difficulty. We can then grow spiritually through those trials and struggles as we rise above the challenges with His help. (II Thessalonians 1:3 & Isaiah 40:31) Finally, we can find His plan and purpose embedded in the whole process. For it’s His purpose that will always prevail…orchestrating everything for our good as we learn to trust in Him and our unique role in His overarching plan. (Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28. Ephesians 1:11)

It takes true courage and conviction to seek God’s approval above social honor and recognition. In II Corinthians 10:18, the Apostle Paul refused to take part in the “bragging contest” of self-promotion and self-commendation, and instead insisted that God’s approval, not man’s was the most important. That’s because when we try to please men, it’s easy to compromise and dilute the Gospel Message. Elsewhere, in I Thessalonians 2:4-6, Paul again admonishes the Church that their motive needs to be pure…with God’s approval being the foundation of their ministry, not man’s applause. For when we realize God’s approval is louder than people’s applause, we will stop seeking their validation for a “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Oswald Chambers once wrote, “When I am insulted, not only must I not resent it, but I must use it as an opportunity for exhibiting the disposition of the Son of God.” Now I don’t know about you, but sometimes that’s a bitter pill to swallow. I tend to take offense and want to defend myself, but this Proverb tells me that a prudent man forgives insults…and that self-control is not only a characteristic of the wise, but it shows inner strength and spiritual maturity. So as Believers we should expect ridicule and persecution as a sign of alignment with the purposes of God, (Matthew 5:11-12) and always do what is right, just, and fair.(Proverbs 1:3)…We therefore should never demand justice for ourselves, but never cease to afford it to others.

King David’s deep desire in this Scripture was to escape from overwhelming turmoil and find refuge from life’s storms in the Lord. He readily sought God as a safe place of peace and protection. Throughout the Scriptures, storms were used as a metaphor for trials, dangers, challenges, and circumstances that seem out of our control. In Isaiah 25:4 he writes that God is a shelter from the storm and a refuge from not only external threats, but inner turmoil alike. For God sometimes calms the storm…but sometimes He just calms the storm within us.

Discouragement like fog can unobtrusively & silently take over the landscape and our lives. Or as the poet Carl Sandburg wrote, “The fog comes in on little cat feet.” Many times, there is nothing we can definitely point to that make us feel so disheartened, dismayed, or discouraged…but we need to be very careful, for discouragement wants us to hide within ourselves. Rather, we need to run to the Lord and His Word. The prophet Isaiah in this Scripture shows us that God’s Presence is always with us in a covenantal relationship of love, strength, help, and protection. So the next time the fog of discouragement sneaks in, look to Him with faith over fear, devotion over discouragement, and dedication over dismay.

God’s calling on our life and its success is totally up to Him. Our part then is very simple…obedience. This became very evident in I Samuel 15:22 when the old prophet replied to the people, “To obey is greater than sacrifice.”…showing that God values obedience and a surrendered heart over any religious acts. So when God opens a door to His calling in your life, you have two choices…walk through the door or balk. What He’s asking of you at that moment is for unconditional obedience, whole hearted allegiance, and covenant faithfulness…whether you understand everything or not.

Think about this for a moment. Everyone you will meet today is deeply loved by God…regardless of how you feel about them. They may be rude, indifferent to your plight, or even outright mean to you, but we’re to love them anyway. For to become more like Jesus, our perspective needs to be transformed to see them through God’s eyes. Many people hated Jesus, disrespected Him, and even mocked Him…but He loved them anyway. That’s because the love of God is unconditional, everlasting. and transformational…His love not based on our actions or worthiness, but is a fundamental aspect of His very nature. So today, remember to love one another just as He loves you.