Encouragement for Today - June 2, 2008

June 2, 2008

Snatched from Danger

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” Matthew 17:27 (NIV)

Devotion:

“She’s choking!” Juli’s precious little girl could not catch her breath, so with stealth-like maneuvering Juli pulled her from the high chair, and retrieved the goldfish cracker that was lodged in her throat. For the first eleven months of life this child had only known gentleness from her mother, but today’s crisis called for swift, if not exactly gentle, action. Juli spent next 45 minutes consoling her quivering baby, all the while she trembled herself realizing how close she’d come to losing her.

Sometimes the Lord treats us the same way. He rescues us from certain danger and yet we see it as the most painful event of our lives! I look back on my life and see moments I deemed devastating, only to discover later they were actually life-giving.

Have you ever broken down and cried until there were no more tears? I have. Have you ever wondered why this tragedy is happening to you? I have. Have you ever questioned if God really cares about your circumstances? I have. Have you sat quivering like Juli or her little girl, wondering if you would ever see the sun shine in your life again? You are not alone.

In 2 Corinthians 11:26-28 Paul said, “I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

Now here was a guy who had every reason to throw his hands up and say, “I quit - If you loved me God you wouldn’t put me through this!” However, God revealed to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

The trial that you are facing today is not too big for God to handle. As a matter of fact, being the loving parent that He is, He may be rescuing you from certain death. Believe Him … Trust Him … Love Him despite your circumstances. Someday you will look back on this time and see His hand was there all along.

Dear Lord, help us to rely on You completely during the good times, but especially Father when we can’t see past our struggle. Teach us to be more like Paul who discovered that when we are weak, You are strong in us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

P31 Woman magazine

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

Visit Luann’s blog

Application Steps:

Write down any specific struggles that are facing you today. Categorize them. For example: health, finances, marital, etc. Search the scriptures to find how God rescued others in similar circumstances. Ask Him to do the same for you.

Reflections:

What causes me to stress out?

Why do I doubt His provision in my life?

How can I view this trial as a stepping-stone to an abundant life?

Power Verses:

2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (NIV)

James 1:2, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 2:4, “We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.” (NIV)