Friday, June 24, 2011

Wow, What Just Happened?


Isaiah 55:10-11 - "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

We have a God who cares, one who loves, one who protects and one who wants to see us have life...and have it abundantly...not in the way the world imagines life, but the way He has always purposed it to be...for those who desire to live it according to His perfect plan. He wants us to believe and trust in Him for ALL things.

We have a God who is in control of all things, too. And part of our life here on earth is to praise Him in all things. As He has said above that when His Word goes forth, it will be. He spoke the world into creation. His Word tells us all about life, its trials, its joys, His promises. And He will do what His Word says He will, at the prescribed times. At the same time if we speak forth His Word, believing it to be true, it will not return to Him void. 

So where am I headed with this?

This world has a lot to offer. For many, we have it made: it's a home, more than one car, children, a good job, food on the table, pets, a place of rest at night. Many have the ability to have conveniences, maybe more than needed. There are vacations and beautiful things to see and places to experience. Oh, God has provided these things, to be sure. He wants us to enjoy this life. We see things shifting a bit. Maybe we've taken advantage of all that we have or we feel, not so much privileged, but expecting the good life to continue.

But this is our earthly domain. These things are just that, things. They get lost, break (and replaced with bigger and better) or destroyed. How do we deal with that when it happens?

We've seen quite an eventful year of tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, fires and earthquakes. Lots of devastation. People's lives lost, property gone. Lives in upheaval. I don't know how I would take something like that without the peace that passes all understanding in Jesus Christ.

This week we had our own severe thunderstorms in the Midwest. And to add to that, our house got struck by lightning! Of course this is nothing in comparison to the other huge things that have happened. 

Now I don't fully understand the dimension of being struck. It didn't seem to damage the house; we didn't go up flames. But maybe there are some unseen things to be wary of. Time will tell. What was eerie was I was what seemed four feet from the strike, right outside a window where I was cleaning. Either it wasn't a bad strike, if there can be such a thing, or Someone was watching over the house and me. Yes, the damage will be somewhat costly due to the things that were pretty much fried.  

I have learned that patience is very necessary in all this. I've had that peace all along after the initial moment of "Wow, what just happened?" You learn to find new ways to do some things. Like using a broom and dust pan because the central vac fried. And thank heavens for cell phones because the phones are all dead. Thank heavens the cell phone connects to Internet!

It's a storm of life, although one of a smaller scale. Yes, there could be unseen electrical damage which needs to be checked. But we've been fortunate so far. I'm trusting God will keep us safe until all is resolved. I'm trusting He will protect. Trusting He will provide any miracle that we might not even be aware of...like no electrical damage throughout the house.

So, in the meantime I am proclaiming verbally, because it's always good to speak His Word forth, Psalm 107:1-2 - Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! And His mercy endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so. Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy... Remember, we do not fight against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

This might sound like a stretch to some. However, anything that might tend to wear us thin, cause concern, is exactly how our enemy the devil can work in our lives to cause us concern. It certainly doesn't hurt to ask Him for His peace and protection...and God's favor for a good word from an electrician regarding wiring!

I'm believing He will "deliver" us out of this. He will deliver us out of any stresses that might occur, but I'm at such peace! Thank You, Lord! Psalm 107:8 - Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!

I'm reminded of what Joseph, a godly man, said after going through some dreadful times being abandoned purposely by jealous brothers and living a most difficult life of captivity in Egypt. When God brought him back into relationship with his family...and his brothers...he said, But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.

Sure this was an act of nature. But who might have had His hand of protection on us? My shield of faith is raised to ward off any fiery darts of the enemy!

So my sacrifice is the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Thanks that it wasn't worse. I will declare His works with rejoicing (Psalm 107:22). He calms any storm that might arise in my spirit and brings a stillness (Psalm 107:29).

Psalm 107:43 - Whoever is wise will observe these things, and they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

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