Simple Reminders for Desperate Times

Have you ever noticed that when you finally decide to purchase a house how many houses suddenly came up for sale? Houses right across the street and down the road strangely decided to put up FOR SALE signs overnight? The truth is, as we all know, you get what you focus on.

I love David's abandoned courage as he charged the field towards Goliath, shouting: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands." (1 Sam 17:45-47, NIV)

While others focused on Goliath's mass and cowered...David zeroed in on the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel! David focused on God and the giant was no match.

Perspective is everything!

Some of us face HUGE giants today. We may have even at one time felt the same courage as David. We may have rushed forward with full faith against our giant's fury ready to decapitate...but somewhere in the process...when the giant's head didn't immediately sever from his body...our focus turned off of God to the enormous size of our enemy. Our faith diminished. Fear grew.

Friend, I've felt moments where in faith I followed God only to feel like my giant swallowed me whole. I've felt stuck...lodged in my giant's throat...holding on to his uvula crying out "OH DEAR GOD, DON'T LET HIM SWALLOW ME WHOLE! HELP!!!"

The two things we must do in moments like this is--

First, remember the truth of who GOD is:

• God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful ; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)
• God is Good. "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 106:1, NIV)
• God is Love. 1 John 4:8-10 reminds us, "God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (NIV)

I don't understand all of my trials. I don't understand the mysteries of God. I don't understand HIS sovereignty...or why He chooses to answer prayers different than I hoped...but one thing I am certain of... (as believers) He is our ABBA FATHER--our DADDY! He loves us passionately! And EVERYTHING HE DOES flows from, through and out of HIS PERFECT LOVE for us!

Second, remember God's promises:

• God promised that He was with us and would uphold us. Isaiah 41:10-11, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced." (NIV)
• God promised He would never leave us. Joshua 1:5, "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will "be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV)
• God works ALL things together for our good. Romans 8:28-31, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (NIV)

Friend, you may feel lodged in your giants throat and question God, Where are you? If so, if the giant's size has caused you to cower, if you feel depleted, alone, abandoned...my prayer is that you turn your focus back to GOD. I pray that just as houses seemed to pop up overnight with FOR SALE signs in their yard...that the evidence of WHO GOD IS and HIS FAITHFULNESS would surround your life as you turn your focus back on HIM...that HE fills you once again with FAITH, HOPE, COURAGE and STRENGTH to PRESS ON!