“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,
so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures,
and the encouragement they provide… we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
Aloha Girls,
I am so thankful we have God’s written Word. It’s alive and powerful and able to encourage us in these stressful times. The world we live in presently is SOOOO different than what my Grandma experienced and - that wasn’t very long ago. This scripture in Romans 15:4 tells us that the Bible is to teach us and give us hope as we wait for God’s promises to be fulfilled. God’s Word helps us to endure; to keep on keeping on when the days are long and hard. The Bible is filled with stories that really happened! These old stories of days past aren’t made up fairy tales, but real live stories full of intrigue, conflict, drama, discouragement, romance, successes, failures, and redemption… all for the purpose of inspiring faith in God and to fill us with hope! Are you reading your Bible? Got hope?
I know many of you, as well as myself included, have been facing particularly difficult situations. I have had past health issues rise up again with no explanation. We also had 3 major electrical appliances break down, one right after the other, which can be so discouraging! Our outside freezer was the worst but Mike’s scroll saw was a close contender. One of my first reactions, when squeezed into a tight place with no escape route, is usually to blame it on the enemy as spiritual warfare. Right? It’s easy to put the blame on the enemy of our soul and see our situation, as an obstacle that needs to be plowed through and removed. Yet at times, those very obstacles, the discouraging circumstances that are right smack dab in front of us, are there because the Lord has led us to this place. He is using the obstacle as opportunity for us to acknowledge our dependence upon Him in a deeper way.
Remember the story in Exodus when God had just delivered the children of Israel from the Egyptians? He led them right into the wilderness in front of the massive Red Sea. There they were… boxed in on all sides, literally a dead-end predicament; there was no place to go. The enemy was behind them, chasing after them, and the Rea Sea was before them, making it a dead-end situation! The solution to escape was out of their control, and that was the exact spot where God had led them. BUT…the Lord went before them by day in a cloud and at night by fire to lead their way and to give them light. His presence was leading and guiding them at all times. We know He performed a miracle right before their eyes. He did this over and over again on the journey to the Promised Land.
Do you find yourself squeezed into a tight place with no escape route in sight? My tendency at these trying times, can be to complain and panic. Let’s instead choose to look up and depend on God by remembering stories of old. Open your Bible and allow God’s Word to nourish your soul. Let His Word inspire hope to persevere in your present circumstances!
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord, Yes,
I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works
and consider all Your mighty deeds...” Psalm 77:11-12
God bless you! Karen