Monday, August 13, 2018

       I have never pretended to be overly spiritual but I can truthfully claim, like all true children of God, that the Holy Spirit lives within me. I tell you this because earlier this morning I felt like the Lord gave me this following simple message especially for two or more of you who will read this blog today. Do you remember the wacky old Disney tune that has these lyrics: “put them together and what have you got, bibbidi, bobbidi, boo”? Well, the Lord has a “put them together and what have you got” message for you today.

       We begin with well known story of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Sold by his own brothers as a slave and taken to a strange new land (Egypt) where he seemed to be all alone in the world with one cruel blow after another. His story seemed to end with his imprisonment. Things looked hopeless for him, yet, you all know how his story ended. Then, there was the account in 2 Kings, Chapter 6 of the day when the prophet Elisha was surrounded by a huge army sent by the king of Aram to capture and probably execute him later. When his despairing attendant asked him “what shall we do?”, the prophet prayed “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” God answered that prayer and the fearful servant saw the hills full of the  fiery horses and chariots of God. Elisha and his servant were left unharmed.

       We move on to the time Jesus’ disciples were terror stricken while in a violent storm at sea. Jesus calmed the storm right before their eyes. They were safe and unharmed because He was in the boat with them. Jesus later, in order to teach His disciples to always pray and never give up, told them the story of a widow who doggedly pestered an unrighteous judge who was left with no choice but to answer her petition. (Luke 18) Finally, we come to the story of the time when it appeared God’s people would be slaughtered by the pursuing Egyptian army. Seemingly trapped at the edge of the Red Sea, many started railing against Moses but he replied: “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.” (Exodus 14:13)

       When we put all these together, this is the message the Lord has for you today: Things may look hopeless for some of you today but God wants you to open your eyes of faith. He wants to remind you that He is with you in the middle of your storm. And because He is, don’t give up! Now, just sit back and see the salvation of the Lord.

God’s word for today: (Psalms 27:1) “The Lordis my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lordis the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”