HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part IV)

HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATING CIRCUMSTANCES (Part IV)

 Since Spirit-filled believers are endowed by OUR SOURCE with deeper understanding of situational times and seasons, we never need worry or stress about OUR RESOURCES.  OUR TIMES AND SEASONS are faithfully committed to (and controlled by) the LOVING AND SUSTAINING HANDS OF GOD.  So even while life-circumstances might ‘appear’ to be dead or dying, the all-wise God has preordained ultimate victory and success.  According to Jude, HE is “the only wise God” and HE is to be accorded “glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.” (Jude 1:25) ONLY GOD knows the end from the beginning, and for that reason alone, we confidently commit TOTAL TRUST IN HIM.  

 Kingdom Principle Number Six: APPEARANCES NOTWITHSTANDING, THE ALL-WISE GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL!  Daniel gave an insightful praise report on the wisdom and power of God.  “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: and HE CHANGES THE TIMES AND THE SEASONS: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he gives wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: HE REVEALS THE DEEP AND SECRET THINGS: He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.” (Daniel 2:20-22)

 This scripture passage suggests that any believer who operates out of reverential fear of God becomes a blessed benefactor of SECRET KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM.  The Psalmist David penned two closely related revelations concerning this.  First, he wrote “The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of WISDOM.” (Psalm 111:10) And then, David revealed the direct result of such a reverential fear: “The SECRET OF THE LORD is with them that FEAR HIM; and HE WILL SHOW THEM HIS COVENANT.” (Psalm 25:14) As believers, we have a covenant relationship with God.  Never forget: GOD IS A PROMISE KEEPER!  Every day, we walk hand-in-hand with THE ALL-SUFFICIENT ONE (who has already ordered and walked out our steps), so why should we worry?  Think about it.

 This brings to mind our granddaughter, Sydney, who at the approximate age of five was fully capable of navigating stairs alone, but whenever Sydney was near me, she would always reach for my hand.  It was her way of feeling safe and secure – since she apparently believed that her ‘Pop-Pop’ would never let her fall.  Isn’t this an instructive lesson for we believers who should invest total trust and confidence in the hands of ‘ABBA-FATHER’ to guide our way through any and all challenging circumstances?  If we would only stop to reflect on the power of God, we would realize that when anxiety surfaces, we embrace it for no good reason at all.  The seemingly major issues we encounter are minor matters to the Creator of Heaven and earth!  Too often, we doubt whether God will bring all His promises to pass.  Our human perspective: The clock seems so fast, and our progress seems so slow.  One insight from yesterday’s devotional bears repeating: “Stop fuming, fretting and fussing about what TIME it is because GOD KNOWS YOUR SEASON!”

 That is why the twelve disciples should never have surrendered to doubt and fear.  The ‘place’ they occupied and the ‘problem’ they experienced were directly connected to the ‘command’ of Christ – and therefore subject to the intervention and power of The Living Lord.  When TROUBLE showed up – JESUS showed up!  

 Kingdom Principle Number Seven: GOD IS OUR PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE. (Psalm 46:1) Let’s look briefly at our scripture text again.  “But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.  And in the fourth watch of the night JESUS went unto them, walking on the sea.  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spoke unto them, saying, BE OF GOOD CHEER; IT IS I; BE NOT AFRAID.” (Matthew 14:24-27)

 Kingdom Principle Number Eight: WHEN GOD SHOWS UP, DON’T DOUBT HIM.  Our Lord really knows how to make a grand entrance, doesn’t He?  Jesus is not only a WATER-WALKER; JESUS IS A WAVE-WALKER!  Be assured that there are NO tempestuous waves…NO life-circumstances…that are too hard or too heavy for Christ to conquer.  Take a mental snapshot of the disciples’ stormy night at sea.  The drama and noise of that night were literally off-the-chain!  Howling winds…tempestuous waves…fearful disciples crying out…loud and noisy beyond belief.  But the Lord of Heaven and earth strolled by (atop the wave-caps) and whispered a Word of now-faith to those fearful boys in the boat: “BE OF GOOD CHEER…IT IS I…BE NOT AFRAID.”  

 Sisters and brothers, I have noticed something similar in my own life.  Whenever my ‘boat’ tacks perilously close to troubled waters, somehow over the background noise of my personal storm, I tune in to His calming voice whispering soothingly to my spirit: ‘Don’t worry…don’t be afraid.’  In the words of one gospel hymnist, whenever JESUS SPEAKS, “the sound of HIS VOICE is so sweet that the birds hush their singing!”   In tempestuous times like these…He still walks with me…and He talks with me…and He tells me I am His own!  David said it even better: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” (Psalm 56:3)  Amen!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!