Desperate Measures In Desperate Times (3)
Wednesday June 22, 2016
This week we’ve been reflecting on a Biblical event of how God took care of a Godly man and a widow and her son who were facing a severe drought. (1 Kings 17)
Sometime after this event took place, the woman’s son got sick and died. What was her first response? To trust God who had previously taken care of her in such a wonderful way? Sadly, no. Like so many of us, she questioned and complained and thought God was treating her harshly and unfairly because of something she had done. She got in touch with Elijah, the man of God. Elijah’s response in this extreme situation was to trust God. His first action was to call out to God and find out what God would do.
The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!” Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.” (1 Kings 17:22-24 NLT)
When we face troubles, how can we respond in a way that sees and includes God?
1) We can tell God that we don’t understand why this trouble has occurred. We’re telling the truth, and God welcomes truth.
2) We can tell God what we would like Him to do in the situation, and keep on telling Him until a solution or peace comes.
3) As we wait in challenging times, God offers us comfort and strength to get us through. God understands how we feel and will comfort us.
4) Sometimes life takes a difficult turn and we have a situation where loss is permanent. At that time God invites us to continue to look to Him for the good life He has promised rather than clinging to the life we thought we were going to live.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (John 10:10, John 16:33, 1 Peter 5:7 NIV)
Turning our will and our life over to the care of God is the smartest thing we could do today.
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