Dealing With Tough Times
It is January in Canada as I write. It is cold and clear today. But it has also been overcast and dull for a few days now. We are facing a winter at this time. (This is for the benefit of folks that live in south-eastern Asia)
As I write, many of my friends are facing some real tough times. They need a miracle or two – actually a whole series of miracles would be good for some. At times they are overwhelmed by what they are facing. My heart goes out to them but that will not help much. Truly God is the only one that can help.
Nothing I guess – but it isn’t the one small prayer that matters… it is the one really big God that receives the prayer gladly and simply takes over.
My faith is small – but His power is GREAT – in fact so GREAT that there is none like it!
I completed my reading this week of a famous old Book entitled Nehemiah. It is wonderful reading when you are in the middle of a Canadian winter – and when you are in a steamy Asian day. This man Nehemiah was something else. It is specially good when you face problems so great you have no place to turn.
His problems were many. In fact he accepted all the problems as his own – when he hadn’t even been a part of the problem making. He saw the problem that Jerusalem was in with its walls broken down and in complete disgrace… then took it upon himself to talk to God about it.
The part that impresses me the most is that when he gets into problems, feels the pinch and then turns to God – in his overwhelmed state of mind – pours out the problem to God – and then goes on to do the work – and lead the people.
He has to be absolutely beside himself at times. The three major enemies that hound him and try everything in their power to stop him – could be anyone of the tough stuff we face today. But God is the one that put Nehemiah where he was and God was the only one that could get him through.
Dealing with tough times is a delight when God is there. AND HE has promised me that HE WIIL NEVER LEAVE ME OR FORSAKE ME…. and you!
Nehemiah you are my hero today! Funny thing is – he has never been featured in Hollywood Movies yet… “Brave Heart”, “Troy”… you name it… but no “Nehemiah” – someone missed an opportunity with this one.
Today is one opportunity to see God move. Soon enough I will be in his presence for ever… I am excited about what he will do her today. Tough times require a really tough and powerful God.
~ Pastor Murray ~
The following is offered for your enjoyment and comfort…
Nehemiah 6 - Further Opposition to the Rebuilding
1 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates-
2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono." But they were scheming to harm me;
3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"
4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter
6 in which was written: "It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king
7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together."
8 I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."
9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."
As I write, many of my friends are facing some real tough times. They need a miracle or two – actually a whole series of miracles would be good for some. At times they are overwhelmed by what they are facing. My heart goes out to them but that will not help much. Truly God is the only one that can help.
- One person suffers greatly with an extreme neck problem that requires a small surgery.
- Another has balance problems forcing a poor quality of life on him that he never expected in his robust youthful days – he feels like he is in jail now.
- Another is suffering from severe migraine headaches that leave her completely withdrawn from her friends.
- Still another is facing a complete spinal fusion from the top of her spine to the bottom – but surgery has been possibly delayed with the discovery of a possible heart problem – and her husband has left her.
Nothing I guess – but it isn’t the one small prayer that matters… it is the one really big God that receives the prayer gladly and simply takes over.
My faith is small – but His power is GREAT – in fact so GREAT that there is none like it!
I completed my reading this week of a famous old Book entitled Nehemiah. It is wonderful reading when you are in the middle of a Canadian winter – and when you are in a steamy Asian day. This man Nehemiah was something else. It is specially good when you face problems so great you have no place to turn.
His problems were many. In fact he accepted all the problems as his own – when he hadn’t even been a part of the problem making. He saw the problem that Jerusalem was in with its walls broken down and in complete disgrace… then took it upon himself to talk to God about it.
The part that impresses me the most is that when he gets into problems, feels the pinch and then turns to God – in his overwhelmed state of mind – pours out the problem to God – and then goes on to do the work – and lead the people.
He has to be absolutely beside himself at times. The three major enemies that hound him and try everything in their power to stop him – could be anyone of the tough stuff we face today. But God is the one that put Nehemiah where he was and God was the only one that could get him through.
Dealing with tough times is a delight when God is there. AND HE has promised me that HE WIIL NEVER LEAVE ME OR FORSAKE ME…. and you!
Nehemiah you are my hero today! Funny thing is – he has never been featured in Hollywood Movies yet… “Brave Heart”, “Troy”… you name it… but no “Nehemiah” – someone missed an opportunity with this one.
Today is one opportunity to see God move. Soon enough I will be in his presence for ever… I am excited about what he will do her today. Tough times require a really tough and powerful God.
~ Pastor Murray ~
The following is offered for your enjoyment and comfort…
Nehemiah 6 - Further Opposition to the Rebuilding
1 When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates-
2 Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono." But they were scheming to harm me;
3 so I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?"
4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter
6 in which was written: "It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king
7 and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together."
8 I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."
9 They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed."But I prayed, "Now strengthen my hands."
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Saturday, January 20, 2007
1 Comments:
When I start felling overwhelmed, and All I have left is that mustard seed of faith, I first use it to ask for more faith!
By
Julie and John Wright, at 11:55 PM
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