Hold To God's
Unchanging
HAND
S
15
Sometimes in life we are faced with situations that cause us to question our faith in the promises that we have recieved from God's word. Sometimes we struggle with circumstances that cause us to be distracted
away from God as we try to do things on our own. But we must remember "the battle is the Lords's." Our struggle should be focused on holding onto God's unchanging hand and His word no matter how dark and no matter how hopeless situations seem. Holding to God with all perserverance is a part of loving Him.
One day Jesus encountered a Canaanite woman who wanted him to deliver her daughter from demons. At first Jesus seemed to ignore her. How oftern it seems like Jesus does not hear our prayers, but even this may be a trial to see how long will you hold on and continue to trust Him. A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possesion." Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." (Matthew 15:22-23 NIV) Jesus even calls her a dog. He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said and He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to thier dogs." (Matthew 15:24-26 NIV)
But the woman holding on to Jesus through it all and humbled herself before Him, she then was ready to receive her blessing. "Yes Lord, " she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from thier masters' table." Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. (Matthew 15:27-28 NIV).
If we allow ourselves to become offended at the circumstances that God allows us to go through, we will end up letting go of God and even turn away from Him. Pride is easily offended, but hamility is never offended. Pride causes us to let go of God; humility causes us to cling to God. Don't let go of his hand.
When facing problems, temptations, and sufferings it is far
better to focus our strength on holding onto Jesus rather than trying to overcome by our own strength. In order for us to have success Jesus' way, we must cling to Him with all our strength until He commands His blessings upon us.
Trials in life try to distract our attention away from God. When our attention is turned away from God, we are then pulled away from God. My brethern, 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. (James 1:2-4). Patience means cheerful endurance. We must cheefully hold onto God's unchanging hand.
The greater the sacrafice that we go through and endure by clinging to God, the greater the blessing will be. The greatest blessing is to those who fully give up thier whole life to cling to God, through perserverance and obedience. These are the things that prove our love for our God. The greatest blessing is when God reveals Himself to us. In Your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalms 16:11).
Only God can keep us from falling. We cannot solve our problems, temptations, and sufferings by our own efforts. In fact, our own efforts casue us to turn away from God and try to fight the battle on our own, leading to failure. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy to only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 1:24-25 NIV)
God promises to give us His peace if we keep our minds focused on Him. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3).
The word stayed means to take hold of, lean upon, and rest in. Every circumstance of trial, temptation, and suffering is an opportunity to prove your love for God by holding onto his unchanging hand.
God Bless you!
By First Lady Pam Roberson