“I am exhausted from crying for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping,
Waiting [hopefully] for my God to help me.”
No, I’m not going to write about the Native American relocation, though I may be missing some great parallels. This is somewhat of a continuation from my last post “This Lonely Road”.
When was the last time that God nudged you to come along side someone and to help that person and how did you respond? In the selfish “me” centered society that we live in sometimes it’s difficult to have the courage to respond like we should.
“Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.” Luke 10:30-36
How many of us have cried out to pastors and church leaders only to be handed an excuse, passed over, or maybe even scoffed at? I know I have… However, we have to remember that they are only men too.
In this age of selfishness and “me” centered hearts I think it’s that much more important that as God’s children we show one another as well as unbelievers the love of God. Being “Christlike” takes on meaning in pouring out God’s love for one another despite what the world around us thinks or does. What does this mean for us and what are we to do if no one comes to our aid in our time of need?
This is what I want to explore…
First, I think my post “Am I Holding On To Unbalanced Expectations?” has some really great verses that fit this message for us as well.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-10
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:2-5
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12
When I place these verses in my head and consider my own journey I can’t help but think about many movie plots where a hero keeps getting up no matter how many times they are beaten down or how bad their wounds. Brothers and sisters, this is how we are to live our lives. We must keep getting back up, reaching for Father God’s hand, and continuing to put one foot in front of the other. We must continue to put our trust and faith in God and continue moving forward down the path that He has set before us regardless of how we stumble or are knocked down and beaten along the way. It should be no surprise to us that the evil one wants us to quit, he wants us to fail, he wants us to turn our back on God and walk away from Him. For this very reason we must realize that satan is the father of lies “He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself], the father of lies and of all that is false.” John 8:44
This means that even when no one else is around to help us up and to encourage us that we’re to continue fighting no matter what is going on in our lives. That said, as we encounter our brothers and sisters in Christ along the way who need uplifting we should remember these commands from God’s Word.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.“ Hebrews 10:24-25
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:8-10
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
As we continue down this path we will stumble and fall, there will be sharp rocks and thorns tearing at us, there will be hot and dry seasons as well as cold and dark. No matter what season we are going through we must continue on holding on to God’s promises from scripture.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose].” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:12
As in the old testament it is important to make a defined choice as to how we will conduct our lives. Let us not stand before God at judgement only to have the Lord say “So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16. Let us each make our choice and take a stand today. As for my decision I choose to follow the famous words of Joshua “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
And so as scripture says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 so that when my time has come to leave this earth I can look back upon my life and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Sovereign God, your children come before you today battered and broken. We need Your strength and the rest that only You can give to us. Keep us mindful of our brothers and sisters so that we will be an encouragement to them and to help carry their burdens when we can. Father, shine Your glorious face down upon us and encourage each of us from the rich storehouse of Your blessings out of Your graciousness and mercy. No matter how bad things get in our lives help us to know that You are with us, that You do care for us, and that You are holding us and will not let us go. Fan the flames of our passion for You and help us not to become complacent or watered down in our faith. Draw us ever closer to Yourself and teach us how to be Christlike to others around us. Give us courage and boldness to share the good news of the gospel of Christ with others around us that they may believe in You as well. Make us to shine for You and for Your light to drive back the darkness that surrounds us. No matter how difficult or painful as Your Word says in Romans 12:12 let us not be conformed to this world. Give us Your peace that surpasses all understanding Philippians 4:7 and inexpressible joy that can only come from you 1 Peter 1:8 so that we may stand out to others and draw them unto You.
Father, I pray for each and every person who reads this post and any post on my site. I pray that You will touch each and every one and speak into their lives today. Help them all to see and to know Your great and inexpressible love for us and Your desire to call us Your children through the belief in Your Son who is Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. It is in His glorious name that I pray these things. AMEN
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.“ Romans 15:13
This Narrow Path... 