God Rises Up

Good morning, a little late, but coming on strong. I taught the Bible study class this morning, then went to Ovid to help with a house measuring, and stopped at the grocery store for cat food. Busy, busy! I have been assured many times that God will act in the due time. The due time has arrived and God rises up to act in my behalf. The blessings are pouring in daily! What can a person do to prevent this gathering of God's provision and His lovingkindness? (I love that word in combination with God's actions.) Easy, we can be too proud to accept help.

It happens; we want to be in control in everything. We want to have the freezer fully stocked, the pantry well-provisioned, and the money rolling in. We want this in response to our fear of the future famine, whether it actually happens or not. However, a time may come in life when you turn out your empty pockets, shake the purse or wallet and nothing falls out, and look around at the food storage and see little or nothing. God first told me to give Him my shame.

We have more than enough to be ashamed of with our years of sin and the tendency toward more sin in our carnal flesh. Shame in a circumstance that we have little or no control over is not going to help. We pile it on though, don't we? We want to hide in the wine press like Gideon, cower in the baggage train like Saul, or just plain flee to the hills, but we keep piling that shame on the old self. Like Job though, we are blameless. Not innocent, not sinless, but blameless in Christ Jesus. Made righteous by the blood of the Lamb, we have nothing to be ashamed of when the circumstance plants a tough tribulation right on our household. When the shame and control and pride are given up to God in the tough time, that is when He rises up.

Gideon triumphed over impossible (for men) odds, Saul became Israel's first king, and the hills cannot provide comfort without God. Job was restored twice over. Samson messed up good, but the Lord granted his final request. David came back to his kingdom after suffering betrayal. We want to be the rich one called to give to others in need, but God may call us to spend some time as the one in need first. This gives us understanding where we may have needed it most.

Few times in my life have I learned so much, so quickly from God and His Word than right now. I begin, just begin to understand how God's wisdom is far more valuable than gold or silver. The salvation of Christ is beyond price. The provision of God through my brothers and sisters in Christ is a privilege and an honor. God loves you and so do I.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Bucky