|
|
God is Not Finished
Some years ago a Rottweiler attacked our golden retriever puppy at a kennel. The animal climbed out of its run and into Molly’s and nearly killed her. I wrote a letter to the dog’s owner, urging him to put the dog to sleep. But when I showed the letter to the kennel owner, she begged me to reconsider. “What the dog did was horrible, but I’m still training him. I’m not finished with him yet.”
God would say the same about the Rottweiler who attacked you: “What he did was unacceptable, inexcusable, but I’m not finished yet.” Your enemies still figure into God’s plan. Their pulse is proof. God hasn’t given up on them. They may be out of His will, but not out of His reach. And you honor God when you see them not as His failures, but as His projects.
God would say the same about the Rottweiler who attacked you: “What he did was unacceptable, inexcusable, but I’m not finished yet.” Your enemies still figure into God’s plan. Their pulse is proof. God hasn’t given up on them. They may be out of His will, but not out of His reach. And you honor God when you see them not as His failures, but as His projects.
Refuge
Refuge is a favourite word of David’s. You’ll count as many as forty-plus appearances in some Bible versions. But never did David use the word more poignantly than in Psalm 57. The introduction to the passage explains its background: “A song of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.” Lost in shadows and thought, he has nowhere to turn. Go home, he endangers his family; to the tabernacle, he imperils the priests. Saul will kill him. Here he sits, all alone.
But then he remembers he’s not. And from the recesses of the cave a sweet voice floats: “Be merciful to me, O God! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I make my refuge” (Psalm 57:1). Make God your refuge. Let Him be the foundation on which you stand.
But then he remembers he’s not. And from the recesses of the cave a sweet voice floats: “Be merciful to me, O God! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I make my refuge” (Psalm 57:1). Make God your refuge. Let Him be the foundation on which you stand.
The Better Option
I spent too much of a high school summer working in the oil field. We donned gas masks, waded into ankle deep, contaminated mire. My mom burned my work clothes. The stink stunk! Yours can do the same. Linger too long in the stench of your hurt, and you’ll smell like the toxin you despise.
The better option? Join with David as he announces: “The Lord lives. Blessed be my Rock. It is God who avenges me. He delivers me from my enemies. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O God” (Psalm 18:46-49). Wander through the gallery of God’s goodness. Catalog His kindnesses. Look at what you have. Let Jesus be the friend you need. Talk to Him. Spare no details. Disclose your fear. Describe your dread. You just found a friend for life in Jesus Christ. What could be better than that?
The better option? Join with David as he announces: “The Lord lives. Blessed be my Rock. It is God who avenges me. He delivers me from my enemies. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O God” (Psalm 18:46-49). Wander through the gallery of God’s goodness. Catalog His kindnesses. Look at what you have. Let Jesus be the friend you need. Talk to Him. Spare no details. Disclose your fear. Describe your dread. You just found a friend for life in Jesus Christ. What could be better than that?
Read more Facing Your Giants: God Still Does the Impossible
Reading a forwarded copy? Sign up HERE to start receiving your own copy, daily.
Copyright 2020 UpWords, All rights reserved.
Reading a forwarded copy? Sign up HERE to start receiving your own copy, daily.
Copyright 2020 UpWords, All rights reserved.
Note: This series of 'Pause for Thought' started on Monday 4th May. To find these previous thoughts go to the Archive section of the website listed under the 'more.....' tab at the top of the page. On the 'Daily Pause for Thought' section of the website we will only keep 2 weeks of contributions before putting them into the Archive.
Can you help?
In this current situation when our church doors are closed to our normal activities but our work to support those in need continues, our normal source of funds (Sunday Tithes and Offerings) have reduced dramatically. We need your help, so that we continue to be ready to meet the ongoing needs of our community that will undoubtedly impact beyond this lock down period. If you are willing to help please visit our Just Giving Page to make a donation to this work. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bedfordsa