What Bible verse best reflects what you want most in life? Mine is in Moses’ prayer to God. If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. (Exodus 33:13a, NLT2). My reason for wanting that has also been the same, to understand [Him] more fully. When the Holy Spirit points out another of His ways in scripture, it makes my day!!
Analysts say President Putin has unintentionally gotten himself politically cornered in his attempts to control Ukraine. Like a cornered animal, he is threatening to use nuclear weapons. Yikes!! China has supported him because they would like to do the same thing with nearby Hong Kong. If they got together, their joint military forces would be lethal!
In our own part of the world, we have intensifying divisiveness regarding immigration, climate change, racism, political correctness, parental rights, sexual orientation, and scores of other ideologies. Verbal words have alluded to hostilities. Our nation’s economy is also in a very precarious position. Even in the church world, there is wrestling with varied conspiracy theories that have undermined her focus and unity. Like a child watching a parade pass by, we have a front-row seat watching the whole creation groaning, as in the pains of childbirth (Romans 8:22, NIV).
This is an example of one of God’s ways with humans. Sennacherib, king of that day’s world empire, sent threatening letters to Hezekiah, king of the small nation of Judah. This would be like a skilled giant warrior bullying a young teenager farm boy. Logically, it was an impossible situation for Hezekiah. God often forces man to choose who or what he will trust.
Our challenge today, as it was then, is to determine upon who or what can we fix our hope. The natural person then, and now, tries to interpret the current environment through his/her perspective. Typically, human nature sees the pending disaster and typically blames those who don’t share their worldview. Then do their best to prepare for what they believe to be inevitable. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
While our natural mind cannot comprehend the Spirit of God, yet only the Spirit of God who created life on earth out of shapeless, chaotic mass can resolve this world’s problems.
Each of us must choose to whom/what we will commit our full trust. Genuine faith in God is to stand on the shore of the impossible (for the Hebrews, it was the impassable Red Sea), and hear Him whisper, do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today (Exodus 14:13b, NIV). When, with no sign or sound, we step out in faith to follow His guidance, we will see the water divide. Just as He orchestrated the chaotic conditions AND their deliverance in Bible days, He will do that for us. Since God has it all planned out, there is no just reason for any of us to be anxious about our tomorrow. He only does what is best for us and His glory. Why not back away and watch God do His awe-inspiring work? All we must do is to be careful to listen to His whisper and cooperate with Him in doing only what He tells us to do?
God’s way for the believer has always been based on knowing and committing to our invisible God. It has been all about genuinely trusting His whispers to our inner being and following Him to our deliverance. Let’s you and I work on that piece and watch God bring His peace and rest to our lives.