Greetings Friends,
About a couple of months ago, GOD made it know to me that I did not have a sufficient knowledge of His Word. At that time I made a commitment to read the Bible cover-to-cover (if you have not done this I encourage you to) as I have been reading through the OT, GOD has revealed a great many things to my heart that I used to take for granted. One of these things He made known to me is contained in this passage. Now, I don't usually post scripture in "The Message" translation but it helps me really drive the point into the heart, so I have for the sake of discussion.
How many Christians are burned out? How many times do we think the troubles of this world are just too much for us? How many think you are just fighting an uphill battle, and that nothing you are doing matters? If you are like me, alot. Sometimes I wish that GOD would just hurry up and take us home, sort of like Paul said, "Rom 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" we long for death so that we can be free from the struggle and pain of wanting to live a holy life, but unable to because of our sinful nature. The more closer we get to GOD, the more apparent our sinfulness becomes.
The first verse in that Psalm above says, "You take the side of the down-and-out, But the stuck-up you take down a peg" GOD takes the side of the "down-and-out". When you think you can't go on anymore, when the world just seems too much and all you can think about are the bad things, remember, GOD is on your side. He knows all too well what it's like to go through certain temptation, situations or whatever life may throw at us. "Heb 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" so GOD knows how we feel.
Second verse, we must realize that it's not about us. I have been a Christian for 3 years and this little piece of truth was extremely hard to grasp, because if we weren't important, what did GOD create us? He created us, to serve Him plain and simple. "Suddenly, GOD, you floodlight my life; I'm blazing with glory, God's glory!" when we realize that GOD is on our side, we radiate GOD's glory, why? because we can handle things that the world cannot. When they see that we are calm or hopeful during times of extreme tribulation, they see the glory of GOD.
Third verse, "I smash the bands of marauders, I vault the highest fences" in the KJV it says, "and by my God have I leaped over a wall" I know that sometimes I do not totally trust in GOD. That I seem to rely more on my own experience rather than GOD's power. When I read this verse a certain thought came to my mind that was very reassuring. All walls are built, but in a figurative sense, a wall in life could be a "trouble or tribulation", right? Now get this, if this world and the universe were created by GOD, then He can also tear down certain "walls". If GOD is the builder, then He is capable or demolishing and rebuilding. He can help you rise above any wall in life, whether it be tribulation, or a time of testing. Just keep in mind, we serve a GOD of miracles, a GOD more powerful than anything we can comprehend, and all He asks of us is to believe He's capable of doing what we deem impossible.
In His Service,
Matt
Thank you for sharing. You are a great writer! My favorite bible scripture is "With God, all things are possible." May we all find our security in Him.
