Category: Habakkuk

Posted on

When We Stumble

We’ve all seen it happen. A little child gets excited; they start to run and then they stumble and fall. Oh my! What’s our first reaction? As a loving adult – parent, grandparent, close friend – we rush to their rescue. We are there to pick them up.

As adults, we often stumble and fall but we don’t want anyone to see it. We are embarrassed or ashamed of ourselves for not having better control or being more observant. But it’s not something to be ashamed of; we all need help.

This morning I was reading in Psalm 20. This is the verse that caught my attention.

“Some people trust the power of chariots or horses, but we trust you, Lord God. 8 Others will stumble and fall, but we will be strong and stand firm.” Psalm 20:7-8 CEV

and then this verse, which I read every morning

“Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever. Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand. 15 Everyone depends on you, and when the time is right, you provide them with food.” Psalm 145:13-15 CEV

At first those verses appear to be contradicting but they aren’t. The key to not stumbling, to standing firm, is our trust in God and not in our own efforts.

Peter is our perfect example. Peter saw Jesus walking on the water and he impetuously wanted to join Him. Jesus told him to come. Peter stepped out of the boat, starting walking…

“But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. ‘Save me, Lord!’ he shouted. 31 At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, ‘You surely don’t have much faith. Why do you doubt?'” Matthew 14:30-31 CEV

When we take our eyes off of the Lord, circumstances can be overwhelming. We lose our balance, our center, and we stumble and fall. But here’s the good news.

“Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:30-31 CEV

Do you feel like you have stumbled and fallen? Are the words running through your mind, “Help, I’ve fallen and can’t get up”? Good news!

“The Lord gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.” Habakkuk 3:19 CEV

When we stumble the key is to look up. Reach for the Father’s hand, He is there to pick us up when we fall.

Posted on

Perfect Love Defeats Fear

Yesterday was cold and rainy so we stayed inside in front of the fireplace and watched a movie. In one episode the family had been stranded, a broken wheel prevented them from traveling any further. That night they stayed in a hotel room with one bed, the kids safely tucked in between mom and dad.

That’s what I went to bed thinking about and this morning, in my prayer time I was remembering the times that something had awaken our kids in the night and they came running to get in bed with us.

When frightening things happen, we run for safety don’t we?

“There is no fear in love. Perfect love puts fear out of our hearts. People have fear when they are afraid of being punished. The man who is afraid does not have perfect love. 19 We love Him because He loved us first.” I John 4:18-19 NLV

In a storm, a natural disaster, a financial reversal, a divorce, the unexpected death of a loved one, during a life-altering doctor’s visit, fear is present to destroy our peace and leave us shaken.

But God! Perfect love, God’s love, will dispel the fear. Our focus on His provision will bring us joy and strength.

“Even if the fig tree does not grow figs and there is no fruit on the vines, even if the olives do not grow and the fields give no food, even if there are no sheep within the fence and no cattle in the cattle-building, 18 yet I will have joy in the Lord. I will be glad in the God Who saves me. 19 The Lord God is my strength. He has made my feet like the feet of a deer, and He makes me walk on high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 NLV

Just like a small child, frightened by a thunderstorm who runs to their parent for protection, we can run to our Father and find peace in His presence.

“ He who lives in the safe place of the Most High will be in the shadow of the All-powerful. 2 I will say to the Lord, ‘You are my safe and strong place, my God, in Whom I trust.’ 3 For it is He Who takes you away from the trap, and from the killing sickness. 4 He will cover you with His wings. And under His wings you will be safe. He is faithful like a safe-covering and a strong wall.” Psalm 91:1-4 NLV

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

Our Father doesn’t want us to “try and handle it on our own”. He wants us to run to Him, in complete trust.

“Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 NLV

Father, we choose to keep our minds focused on You and Your love for us. Keep our hearts free from fear! Amen.

Posted on

Trust in Time of Trouble

Monday, Monday.

Do you have a smile on your face as you start this day and this week? As a new day dawns the birds are singing, and the hillsides are showing their green and wildflowers are blooming. The sun is about to rise above the mountain to the east and the sky is clear. It is a good day to praise the Lord.

But I also had to stop and consider the opposite start to the day I have just described. What if you woke this morning, having overslept, there’s a stain on your favorite shirt, the car won’t start, your coffeemaker quit and your cell phone died?

Maybe the problems in your path are more serious than the menial annoyances I named above. It could be health issues, a crumbling relationship, financial upset and your company just announced they’re moving to another location and work-from-home is being phased out.

How do you start your day with those issues facing you?

Trust in a Time of Trouble.

“Fig trees may no longer bloom, or vineyards produce grapes; olive trees may be fruitless, and harvest time a failure; sheep pens may be empty, and cattle stalls vacant—18 but I will still celebrate because the Lord God saves me. 19 The Lord gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer, and he helps me stand on the mountains.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 CEV

Being a Christian doesn’t mean we will never have problems, not at all. However, it does mean we have the constant attention of the “Problem Solver”. It is the Lord who comes to our rescue and saves us. He gives us strength and makes us able to stand on the rocky ground of the mountains.

When we trust Him, He takes us to a higher place. A place our adversary can’t reach. Make today a day to stand on the mountain tops!

Thank God for His faithfulness and protection. Trust Him in Time of Trouble!

Posted on

Scenic Byways

Dave and I love to take the back roads when we travel. The view from the interstate leaves us lacking while the roads less travel share a beauty many don’t ever see.

Months ago I reminded you that ALL Scripture is given by the inspiration of God.

“Everything in the Scriptures is God’s Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live. 17 The Scriptures train God’s servants to do all kinds of good deeds.” II Timothy 3:16-17 CEV

 

We have the word of God, not to confine and restrain us but to free and expand our potential by making us aware of who we are in Christ. I’m going to challenge you to step off the beaten path of your Bible reading. Remember the verse above says ALL Scripture is given. We each have our favorite books of the Bible – mine is Colossians and then of course, the 4Gospels. I love reading and seeing Jesus in action.

But what about the obscure books like Amos and Obadiah, or Nehemiah and Haggai. Then in the New Testament there are books like Philemon, Titus and Jude – little books that seem to be overlooked for the others. God has a lesson for us in each and every one of these books.

I see the Bible as a highway for life. On that highway there are places to rest, great places to eat, and places to refuel.

There are also the scenic by-ways. Less traveled roads can provide beautiful scenery and introduce us to interesting people and new adventures. There are also many historical markers on the byways. As we read the lesser known books of the prophets in the Old Testament we see how God continued to deliver and restore the nation of Israel time and time again.

Israel would turn from God; be taken into captivity; repent and cry out to God for deliverance and deliverance would come. God’s blessing would flow once again.

How many times do we follow the same path to serve self and not God? We place ourselves under the captivity of worry and fear; selfishness and greed; and then we call out to God and He restores. Nehemiah, the prophet, prayed this

“LORD, God of heaven, you are the great and powerful God. You are the God who keeps his agreement of love with people who love you and obey your commands.” Nehemiah 1:5

Today I encourage you to take a side trip – visit one of the books that you don’t know very well . Let the Holy Spirit be your guide and bring you new revelation from God’s word.

“The Lord gives me strength. He makes my feet as sure as those of a deer,
and he helps me stand on the mountains.” Habakkuk 3:19 CEV

Happy Trails!

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress