Upheld In Challenge

Rain

Finally! It rained a bit this afternoon. Green pine trees, green grass, and green plant leaves are popping out from under a gray cover. I can almost see them all gasping for the freshness. Or is that me?

After the challenges of drifting smoke, smelling smoke and looking at gray/brown smoky skies, the freshness is almost overwhelming. Yep, I want to be outside taking those deep breaths until I nearly pass out. Ahhh! Anybody else?

Deep Breathing 

It’s been hard to do any deep breathing this summer. And this is the third year in a row that fires have robbed us of loved ones, homes, belongings and at a more mundane level—summer itself. Who can enjoy a day on the lake while sucking in smoke and coughing? And, as I already mentioned, a gray/brown shroud screens the sun. We see a red ball instead of blue sky and golden rays.

Another kind of deep breathing has been absent in my family this year. We have faced serious trials, among them my Mom and Daughter battling through cancer at the same time. I know we are not the only ones. I can think of several other families encountering great difficulties, as well. The refrain, “Come, Lord Jesus. Anytime now,” keeps cropping up in conversations. We are all trying to catch our breath in these distresses.

Do We Believe God?

This summer, I certainly have had the opportunity to put this challenge to the test. I have preached about believing God. I even wrote a book about believing God. Yet, with every new test, I find I am scrambling all over again. Will I believe God in this ordeal?

How do we put our faith in Him when trouble looms LARGE?

We must look beyond the present troubles and anxieties and do what He told us to do. Faith isn’t a feeling. Like love, it is a decision we make. God has provided His Word for our instruction. That means we decide to act on what He says instead of what we see (aka, falling into the current pit).

Can we sustain belief when everything looks DARK?

We must read God’s Word every day and continue to agree with what He said. No matter what is in front of us. Is this easy? Heck, no! We are on earth where the Truth is often unseen. But Truth is still Truth, even if the lies are glaringly apparent. Yet the promises of God are true in every dangerous circumstance and with every dangerous opponent.

Will He come through for us when we DOUBT?

Ah, this is the crux of the matter. God will always do what is best for us. It may not look like we wanted or expected it to, but God is always close to us and acts upon every utterance directed His way on our behalf. He will fight for us! 

We CAN Believe God 

Pastor Rod, at Garland Church this morning, pretty much dared us to believe God. He asked us if we will stand on the promises of God—or not? 

We sang a song with this lyric, “If God is for us, who can stand against us?”

Thank you, Lord, for the rain.