Protection and Peace

Isaiah 57:1 -- "Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come."

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We often question why bad things happen to good people. It is a hard question that often goes unanswered. Honestly there are to many variables that only God can keep account of. The truth is bad things do happen to good people, but it is important to remember that God always wants the best for us. Sometimes, as Isaiah 57:1 points out, what is best is full protection from evils to come. Our best protection is with God in Heaven.

Death can be scary. Isaiah gives us more comfort on the subject -- "For those who follow Godly paths will rest in peace when they die" (Isaiah 57:2). To those who believe and live in faith that God is who he says he is and follows through on his promises, God offers protection and peace. God will take care of you and he will care for those around you when you are gone.

That peace starts now. You will rest in peace, but you don't have to wait to find it. By knowing that God loves you and will protect you that overwhelming joy that peace brings begins now.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for loving me and thank you for protecting me. Help me to always follow the godly path and resist temptations. May I find peace right now and know that I will stay by your side for eternity.

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For a Reason

Philippians 1:12 -- "And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News."

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Have you ever heard the saying, "Everything happens for a reason?" Philippians 1:12 is Paul's testimony to that very saying.

At this point in Paul's ministry, he is imprisoned in Rome. He was being judged for being a Christian with death looming on the horizon. However, Paul didn't give up, become depressed or blame God. Instead, he spoke the Good News, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, even while in bitter circumstances behind bars. Because he reached out, some of the guard was saved and others stepped out more boldly in the name of Christ.

We may not be in prison, but there are lots of instances where we feel discouraged -- unemployment, sickness, personal conflicts with others, and honestly even just a bad day can get you down. However, even in these tough times we can be a light for the Lord. Our attitude during the worst of times reflects what we believe and who we put our trust in.

With God in control, my worst day is still deserving praise because I can learn from it, grow from it and show others who encourages me through it. During the trials of life big and small and whether or not they are explained or even improved, our faith grows stronger and our reflection of God grows brighter.

Dear Lord,
Help me to burn even brighter for you during times of discouragement  Help me to rely only on you and to reach out to others no matter what circumstances I am in.

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Zephaniah (Bible in 90 Days)

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Zephaniah knows how to get the crowds’ attention that is for sure. He opens with the harshness of God’s judgment:
“I will sweep away people and animals alike. I will sweep away the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea. I will reduce the wicked to heaps of rubble, and I will wipe humanity from the face of the earth,” says the Lord.” Zephaniah 1:3

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God acts against sins of the world. He does not want his people complacent or flirting with evil. Zephaniah urges the people to turn back to God with a wake up call to God’s judgment.

Amidst the judgments, Zephaniah includes a whisper of hope—a call to repentance:
“Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you—protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.” Zephaniah 2:3

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There is also a greater hope, a promise from God of deliverance from enemies. All who are faithful in walking with God will see his justice and feel his love.

“On that day I will gather you together and bring you home again. I will give you a good name, a name of distinction, among all the nations of the earth, as I restore your fortunes before their very eyes. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Zephaniah 3:20

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Pray About It

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This is a really great reminder. I am one of the worse about "venting" my frustrations to my friends and family. They are people I trust, however, it is God that I should be "venting" to. God can handle anything. And it is sometimes in our darkest hour when we have nothing left but doubt that God works miracles. Matthew 21:22 says: "You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.” Speaking with trusted friends and family is a good thing, it is good to have many advisers  However, it is God that we need to focus our time and energy talking to. We can pray to God for anything and through our faith we may receive it. That is a powerful promise! Do you have faith that God will provide?

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Gradually Healed

Mark 8:22-25 -- “22 When they arrived at Bethesda  some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. 23 Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man’s eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, “Can you see anything now?” 24 The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.” 25 Then Jesus placed his hands on the man’s eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly.

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We live in a world of instant gratification. If we want a particular food we go to a restaurant or the grocery store and get it. If we want to know more information about a subject you instantly look it up on a smartphone or computer. We expect our prayers to be answered instantly like an Internet search and we expect our healing to be immediate just like our ability to get what we want when we want it. However, God doesn't work on our time and he does not often answer with instant gratification.

God want the best for us, but just like a parent, he know that doesn't mean giving us everything we ask for. I try to teach my daughter right from wrong and how to grow into a strong, self-sufficient person. God does the same thing with His children, with us. He want to teach us how to be better and that often means going through a trial to learn a lesson.

In Mark 8:22-25, some people bring a blind man to Jesus and beg for his sight. Jesus grants this request, but after laying hands on the man once his is not fully healed. Jesus lays hands on him again and he can see clearly. Jesus had the power to heal the man with one touch, however, he chose not to. Instead, Jesus taught a lesson.

Our healing and our growth are often a gradual progression, not an instant gratification. Once the healing begins, we are aware of improvement, but not clear sight. We must have faith that the healing is incomplete and we still have more to learn. Jesus also proves in this passage that even though the healing is gradual, Jesus will not leave you until it is complete. The man was completely healed and could see clearly before Jesus sent him away.

In a world of instant gratification, it is difficult to wait on God’s time. however, the knowledge that God is still working on you gradually and will not leave you is comforting, especially in times of struggle.

Dear Lord,
Help me to joyfully be patient, to endure, the trials I am faced so I can learn and grow. I thank you for your healing and I have faith you will not leave me. I take comfort in your presence and your timing. Help me to overcome the expectation of instant gratification and wait on you.

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