Tags
1 Peter 5:6-9, 2 Timothy 1:8-12, A Different Mother's Day, Evil, Faithful God, Faithful Is He, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:24-25, HOPE, John 10:10-11, John 3:16, Love, Mothers, Psalm 37:1-9, Salvation, The Blood Of Jesus, Trusting Jesus, Truth
Bible Ballistics: Vol. 15 No. 10 A Different Mother’s Day???
I want to share just a brief thought or two today; as most of you know my only daughter was murdered last December, causing this to be a unique Mother’s Day this year. I simply want to share a few things that have gotten me through this time, and hopefully to encourage other mothers (or anyone) who have unique issues they are dealing with. The main thing I want to say is the same thing I have said since tragedy struck our lives, ‘God is still God! God is still good! And I still trust HIM!’ I say this only because it is true, and like Paul I can say it because I have confidence in my Lord—the One who saves and keeps me every day! Without fear, shame or doubt I know I can rely upon HIM!
“Be not thou therefore ashamed
of the testimony of our Lord,
nor of me his prisoner:
but be thou partaker
of the afflictions of the gospel
according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us,
and called us
with an holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to his own purpose
and grace,
which was given us in Christ Jesus
before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest
by the appearing of our Saviour
Jesus Christ,
who hath abolished death,
and hath brought life
and immortality to light
through the gospel:
11 Whereunto I am appointed
a preacher,
and an apostle,
and a teacher of the Gentiles.
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed:
for I know
whom I have believed,
and am persuaded
that he is able
to keep that
which I have committed
unto him
against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:8-12
It is true because “I know whom I have believed”—and HE is my everything! And while your issues may be different than mine, God knows where you are, and HE will meet you where you are –for HE knows what you feel!
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
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.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace
to help
in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
One of the things that has helped me, is to remember that while I feel sorrow, grief and pain in my loss, God is working His will, His purposes, and His glory all around me. And after all HE has done, is doing and will do for me, how can I do less than trust myself to HIS care. He has never failed me! Never! And one of the passages that is my “go to” for encouragement I’ll share with you, because often times we experience the evil of the world, and we must trust to our God to take care of things that are out of our control. I forgive, not because I necessarily want to, but because I am forgiven, and I can trust to God’s love, care and justice to accomplish righteousness and justice in HIS own time.
“Fret not thyself
because of evildoers,
neither be thou envious
against the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD,
and do good;
so shalt thou dwell in the land,
and verily thou shalt be fed.
4 Delight thyself also in the LORD;
and he shall give thee
the desires of thine heart.
5 Commit thy way unto the LORD;
trust also in him;
and he shall bring it to pass.
6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness
as the light,
and thy judgment
as the noonday.
7 Rest in the LORD,
and wait patiently for him:
fret not thyself
because of him
who prospereth in his way,
because of the man
who bringeth wicked devices to pass.
8 Cease from anger,
and forsake wrath:
fret not thyself
in any wise
to do evil.
9 For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those that wait upon the LORD,
they shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 37:1-9
I know that God has walked with me on the good days, and on the difficult days. He has heard my cries, seen my tears, and comforted my uneasy frustrations—and HE WILL meet you where you are, if you will but turn to HIM. If you will walk through this Psalm and practice the instructions in it!
Trust—Delight—Commit—Rest—Fret Not—Cease from Anger!
While these are simple sounding instructions, they are not easy, especially when we are hurting. But when we practice them day by day and watch our faithful God act faithfully, we learn to rely on His character—His love—His perfect ways—and know that HE will meet our every need.
And besides all this Jesus is our faithful intercessor! I have a close circle of friends whom I know I can depend on for earnest, diligent prayer; and while I take great comfort and confidence in these dear ones and their care for me, there is One greater than them or me who is ever praying for me!
“But this man,
because he continueth ever,
hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also
to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by him,
seeing he ever liveth
to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24-25
Oh, you have no way to know the comfort, strength and assurance that I take from this truth! You can trust HIM! And I’ll have to say that my love and appreciation for Him has increased above measure, not diminished, through these recent months. You see, we all make choices! We can choose to allow the enemy to distract, depress and discourage us to the point of dejection—or we can stand fast in the truth that we have a Savior who not only prays for us now, but HE also gave HIS life’s blood for me! And I can only tell you that going through my daughter’s blood soaked clothing (when we got them back from the police) not only brought the reality of her death ‘up close and personal’ but even more importantly planted a truth in my heart that I pray I will never forget; Her life was stolen from her by evil, but Jesus Christ my Lord shed HIS blood for me—willingly, lovingly, purposely—for without it you and I would have no hope of salvation and eternal life with God!!! That truth is ever cemented in my heart and mind and without being gory, I praise God that I see John 3:16 in a new light! May I never forget!
“For God so loved the world,
that he gave
his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him
should not perish,
but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
GOD gave HIS SON for me! For you! Won’t you trust in the blood that Jesus shed for your salvation, deliverance, and redemption—that you might have “everlasting life”! And if you already know Him, and are facing difficult circumstances, sorrow, grief, pain, confusion, turmoil or any other problem, won’t you “fix your eyes” on Jesus right now. Rehearse Psalm 37, and these other verses and let God apply the soothing “Balm of Gilead” to your heart and soul! Resist the devil and REST in the ONE who cares for YOU!
“Humble yourselves therefore
under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you
in due time:
7 Casting all your care
upon him;
for he careth for you.
8 Be sober,
be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil,
as a roaring lion,
walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast
in the faith,
knowing that the same afflictions
are accomplished in your brethren
that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:6-9
In closing I pray that you will find comfort, hope and encouragement in God’s Word tonight.
“The thief cometh not,
but for to steal,
and to kill,
and to destroy:
I am come that they might have life,
and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
He gave HIS BLOOD for me! For YOU! Amen and Amen!!!
