Author: kezha1

Our wisdom can only at times add to the frustration of living here in a very broken world. We’d love to, but we cannot escape pain, suffering, and loss. In I Peter 2:19, we read that it’s commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering. So then as a Believer, our attitude towards pain, suffering and loss shouldn’t be that we want it all to be prevented, but rather we need to ask God to protect us…that we would remain what He has created us to be despite what we’re going through. Or as we see in John 12:27-28, Jesus praying to His Father not to save Him from the hour, but out of the hour.

Paul begins this verse with praise and thanksgiving in an expansion of God’s Divine purpose that he wrote about in Romans 8:28-30. Paul’s praise goes first to the Father Who elects (Ephesians 1:4-6, the Son Who redeems (Ephesians 1:7-12), and the Holy Spirit Who seals (Ephesians 1:13-14)… which is the Gospel Message in a nutshell. And thus, we are then blessed with a incomprehensible bounty of both Divine favor and grace…all because of Christ’s victory over death and the grave… all praise and honor be to Him!

Our physical strength can be consumed by exhaustion, distress, and affliction. (Psalm 31:10) But we need not lose heart, for Psalm 18:1 tells us that the Lord is our strength…our refuge, our rock, and our fortress. And in Him, the living God, we can cry out…knowing He hears us. (Psalm 84:2)

For each one of us, our journey through life is unique. For some, their path is straight and for the most part unhindered…while for others, theirs’s is wrought with pain and suffering. But also each one of us, at one time or another, have ached to change the journey of some loved one. But we know only God can change the wayward path someone is on and make it straight. However, we can pray the Psalms, asking God to make the way straight before them in repentance and obedience, (Psalm 5:8, Psalm 27:11, Psalm 107:7) For God shows His steadfast love when He leads His people by the straight way, so we can have confidence not only in Him, but in our prayers…knowing everyone’s journey is a path of safety as long as we’re obedient to His Will.

Just think how many of our memories and celebrations are intertwined with food. Food is the love language of our lives. For everyone has special dishes only made for certain holidays…and everyone uses food to celebrate birthdays, special occasions, and parties. That’s because, if you think about it, food is a huge part of our lives as a means of socialization, love, and showing we care. So when a loved one’s declining health affects their desire for food…it can cause feelings of helplessness and guilt in us. But know this is a perfectly natural response as the body starts to shut down. So rather than forcing food and fluids on them in a power struggle that neither of you will win…offer bites of their favorite foods and sips of fluids. For the type of energy they need right now is a spiritual energy, acquired from the spiritual bread and water that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Thinking that God doesn’t hear us when we pray is a misnomer. He doesn’t hide Himself from us, (Isaiah 30:21) in fact, God tells us, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” So the real problem lies in our listening. In John, Jesus admonished us to “Listen to My Voice.” (John 10:16) and that, “My sheep hear My Voice and obey.” So why don’t we hear God? It all lies in the need to quiet ourselves in order to hear His Voice…and this involves calming and quieting our soul and waiting quietly for the Salvation of the Lord. (Psalm 131:2 & Lamentations 3:26)

The Tribes of Reuben and Gad requested permission from Moses to settle in the Transjordan territory (the region east of the Jordan River and the Dead Sea) that Israel had already conquered. But because all of Israel was to participate in the conquest of taking the Promised Land and their failing to help and support their fellow Israelites would only dishearten the remaining tribes, Moses sternly warned them against the sin of doing nothing. Moses also admonished them with the dire warning that if they failed to do God’s Will, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” So many times we think sin is doing something wrong…when sin can also be failing to do something we know we should do.

Many times we will settle for a nearby Church to attend because it’s easier and closer…and we can have more time to do fun things on Sunday afternoon. We may even know deep down that we’re compromising every time the Pastor gets up to preach unsound doctrine and social issues…rather than the Word of God. But we’re just too lazy and selfish to look for a new Church. In his letters to the young pastor, Timothy, Paul exhorted him to be faithful to God and His Word always…rightly handling the Word of truth of the whole counsel of God with emphasis on the Gospel Message …even calling Timothy a good soldier of Christ Jesus…(II Timothy 2:3) urging Timothy to always having singlemindedness and readiness in his commitment in staying true to the Word of God. That’s the Church and type of pastor you need to be looking for.

Daniel’s prayer, (Daniel 9:1-27) is rooted in the conventual understanding of the Lord’s relationship with His people. It’s a plea for His compassion and pity…grounded on God’s promises…offered in a spirit of contrition and humility. Daniel is confessing and acknowledging right up front the sinfulness of the people, but yet seeking God’s pardon and favor in spite of their unrighteousness. You can almost hear the desperation in Daniel’s voice…”Hear us, deliver us, and spare us according to Who You are Lord!”

This confession to God is hard. It means we have come to the end of ourselves, and have to finally acknowledge our human frailty. For many times we’ll try everything under our own power before we’ll even admit that we’re helpless, incompetent, and inept. But its when we finally come to this humbling point that God’s power, might, and strength can carry us through any difficult and trying situation…and give us the quiet peace and trust we seek. (Isaiah 32:17)