A Different Way

Isn't it interesting how situations in our lives repeat themselves?  Currently, I am going through a very similar time to what happened a year ago, when I was deciding whether or not to serve with Mercy Ships.  Of course, the situation is not identical, and my mom reminded me that God usually does not work in the same way twice.

We see this in the Old Testament, when God led Israel out of 400 years of slavery in Egypt.   The children of Israel were without water on a few separate occasions, and God had Moses perform a different action each time.  One time, God told Moses to put a branch into bitter water, and the water was made drinkable (Exodus 15:22-26).  The next time Israel had no water, Moses was to use his staff to strike the rock for water (Exodus 17:1-7).  In the final situation, Moses was to speak to the rock, and water would come out (Numbers 20:8-13)!  Unfortunately, rather than speaking to the rock, Moses struck it in anger and displeased God.  But that's for another blog post.

Each situation brought clean, pure water, but God brought about the results in a different way.  I currently am in a situation where I am not sure what the next step will be.  Just as God provided last year for me, and as He provided for Israel, I know He will provide again, but the means in which He will act is unclear to me.

God is incredibly faithful.  He knows what is best, even when I have no idea what the next step in my life is to be.  In fact, it seems as though the next step is shrouded in darkness, and I cannot see to take the next step.  I will stumble and fall unless light is shed on the path.  I am thankful that God is Light (1 John 1:5), and that He can make the path visible.  How very wonderful that the Lord is sovereign over all!  He is a far better manager of my life than I am!  These two verses are incredibly helpful reminders when I cannot see the path (which is quite often), and do not know what to do (also something common):

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ~ Proverbs 3:5-7

The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. ~ Proverbs 16:9

Although I am not sure of what I should do, God has commanded me (and you) to do six things:

1. Trust in the Lord - He is faithful and He watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).  His word always accomplishes what He intends for it to do (Isaiah 55:9-11).


2. Do not lean on your own understanding - In our society, it seems normal to just go with our feelings or "follow your heart".  But God teaches that our hearts are liars (Jeremiah 17:9-10).  There are even many things within our hearts that we do not know about...be they good desires, encumbrances, or sins (Hebrews 12:1-3).  We really do not know best, but God does.


3. In all your ways acknowledge Him - Submit to God, draw near to Him, even though this requires humility.  "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6-10).  This is perhaps the most difficult for many of us, because we like to boast about our accomplishments and we crave the approval of other people.  This always leads to our destruction, as seeking the approval of people is a stumbling block to seeking Jesus Christ (John 12:42-44).


4. Do not be wise in your own eyes - God uses the things that the world considers to be foolish, weak, and lowly, to shame those who build themselves up and think they are greater than God (1 Corinthians 1:27-31).  We may think we are able to do great things, but God reminds us that we should not thinking highly of things we have done, but instead depend on Him (Psalm 20:7; Romans 4:2-3).  We should only say that we boast (speak with excessive pride) in God alone (Jeremiah 9:23-24)!


5. Fear the Lord - To fear the Lord is not necessarily to be terrified of Him.  Yes, God is the GOD above all else and Almighty (Genesis 17:1), He is the Creator (Genesis 1:1), and He is the King (Psalm 47:5-9), but He also is our loving Father (Matthew 10:29-30).
   
   
   
   • Fear can be defined as "a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain", but there is another use which refers to fearing God: "reverential awe".  This is the definition that is described in Proverbs when we are told to "fear the Lord".  We are to be in awe of Him and to reverence Him (Psalm 47:2; Matthew 10:28).


6. Turn away from evil - People teach that we must be knowledgeable about many things, including different religions/spirituality, sexual situations, etc., and that to be ignorant about such things is to be foolish.  God's Word teaches contrary to this, and shows that to be innocent about what is evil is not bad.  Naïveté can be beneficial, if it means that we are wise to what is good and choosing to not immerse ourselves in what is ungodly.  I must clarify that we should never choose to be ignorant of the fact that there is evil in this world.  We must never use this as an excuse to not act against evil such as racism, rape, murder, pornography, slavery, abortion, theft, or other sins.  Instead, we must choose to live, act, and think in a way that honours God (Romans 16.19; 1 Corinthians 14:20).

It is often easy to talk about following these commands, but difficult to actually obey God.  As well, I could be tempted to make it into a checklist to follow, but that would not do me any lasting good.  First of all, I cannot do anything good on my own and apart from God (Isaiah 64:6), and secondly, doing good merely outwardly does not deal with the root issue, which is an anxious heart (Matthew 23:25-28; Psalm 139:23).  The only way I can change and grow is through God's Word (Romans 12:1-2; Philippians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 3:18).  Therefore, I am thankful that we have the Word of God to cleanse, change, guide, and teach us (Psalm 19:7-11).

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.

~ Psalm 19:7-14

There is much to learn from my present situation.  Will I forgo what God may be teaching me, in order to rush ahead and make a decision?  I am learning that the solutions to all things in life are only found in the Word of God.  Getting to know God and His precious Son through the Scriptures will transform and bring peace!