Stand firm and be still, this too shall pass.
Life’s trials are not easy but in God’s will, each has a purpose. Warren Wiersbe
When we start a new path in our lives and we face challenges, mostly we tend to run back to that which is familiar/old. Hence the saying ‘Better the devil you know than the angel you don’t’. Because the familiar things even though we faced challenges while there, we learnt how to cope with the familiarity that came with those trials/toxicity. Hence, the devil deceives us that we are way comfortable in the mess we already know. In other words, we learnt to maneuver our ways in familiar territories of oppression and suppression. Whether mentally, physically or emotional. I bet, that’s why we stay where we are, afraid to start a fresh… always going back to that “devil” you and I know how to deal with. I remember coming to Britain, the first weeks were fine and full of excitement that comes with going abroad. However, winter happened! and the reality checked in. I felt like God had thrown me into the deep-end. The cold weather was driving me nuts (till now) plus I hate the fact that by three p.m it gets dark during this season. Adapting was hard, I could not make friends, the intensity of my postgraduate and pressure back home where financial assistance was needed. Lacking the understanding that I was starting a new life, in a different country. Therefore, I needed time before anyone could call me over any assistance. I did not picture my situation being as it was back then. As a result, I found myself complaining to God that I was not able to do it and I found myself thinking I am better off where I had been. God worked on me and through the Holy Spirit I saw how I had let my guard down leaving a gap for the enemy to play mind games with my circumstances. The enemy knows the mind, filling us with thoughts of doubts of how it’s not worth it. Displaying a perception to us how this is the exact opposite of what we prayed for. How our current possession of the promise currently is not the image of what you asked of the Lord. Through Exodus God reminded me of Israelites and how they complained to a point they told Moses they would rather be back in Egypt. Forgetting the suffering and crying for help from God that they once did. Yet God was faithful, sending Moses his servant. Through him, He performed great signs and wonders; depicting an evidence of a faithful and loving Father. A God who is self sufficient, willing to go extra length to deliver His children who were destitute in their suffering. Only for them to forget every single promise from God at their point of deliverance and to start complaining in the wilderness. He promised to be with them always …to give them provision… to protect them. Psalm 105:39-42 He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night. The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant. However, they forgot! According to them, the challenges they faced on their way to the promise land caused them to question God. As a result, they began having doubt in His Word. This erased everything God had done to deliver them. Just because they faced trials on their way to promise Land. Their faith was clouded.
Next God used Noah’s story to remind me of a Heart that genuinely receives favor from God. Noah Built an Ark as per God’s instructions it was to withstand the water that would destroy the whole earth. How many of us see how Tsunamis leave a trail of destruction on their path? Well let’s imagine how much and how strong the water is, to be able to destroy the earth. Noah and his family must have faced serious times in that Ark. They must have been thrown about, as am sure it was not smooth sailing. “Huh!! Lord this was not the plan, we did not build an ark to be thrown around in the waters …this is too much one can barely drink a glass of water before its shaken from your hand and don’t forget the smell of animals excreting everywhere. God this was not the plan according to what you said it sounded like we should have been merry and enjoying the cruise but this being thrown around is too much.“ Am assuming that this is what might have happened. However, the Bible does not say that. Rather shows a man who knew God who is self existent and full of wisdom and was in tune with His ways. To a point he got out of the Ark after 21 days of checking if the earth was habitable. I see a man of God even in his season of waiting, he did not ask or command God to please dry the world. For he was in hurry to get out maybe the Ark was smelling or he had done his part. No way instead the day he was absolute from the pigeon that it was good enough he still waited for seven days then got out and the first thing he did was to sacrifice to God in order to worship Him… Show Gratitude and reverence, His Great and Mighty ways wonders to perform. One thing I know is that he could not have done this by himself, for the spirit of God must have been poured in him. How many of us show this amount of patience when God gives us instructions concerning our deliverance from that place/job/addiction/financial hardships He wants us to be in. As a result, we see God establishing a covenant through Noah’s sacrifice made after obedience and patience. I am guilty of this lack of patience and obedience …fretting. Forgetting my stones of remembrance and allowing the enemy to play tricks on me so that I only see the challenges now and less of the evidence of what God has previously done to lead me where I am. There is a reason why God performs the signs and wonders, He wants us to remember and always know that He is God and there is none before Him…none compares to Him and none can stand against Him. He is and remains everlasting God. Dear, Lord I want to be like Noah knowing what you had told me will come to pass that these trials I face are making me grow for the very purpose you created me. I am not perfect Lord, forgive us for we are all struggling in different aspects of our lives help us lord. Lest we forget, remind us through your Word the evidence of your works over our lives. For we acknowledge the provisions and protection over our lives, you are Alpha and Omega and through your covenant established for us. Through your son Jesus Christ, lest we forget that you put all this plan in place for our benefit for the very purpose you set in us. For your Word say All things work together for good to them that love you. Therefore, we humble ourselves and seek you. In awe of your presence remember us Lord, we beseech you not to forget us. For you promised through your Word to the Israelites if my children who are called by my name …Lord may this promise find us in this last days as our souls’ hunger for you. Lest we forget… remind us!!!
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong”. – Paul’s Vision and His Thorn
