Are you like me? Can you feel people beginning to bend and crumble under the weight of the world and its problems? And, if you are a Christian, how are you dealing with that pressure? There are various responses that the Enemy would like to validate ... Does it make you feel like your faith is weak, which leads to self-condemnation? Or do you sometimes feel disappointed (or even mad) at God for allowing this to happen in the world, and to come against us?
After all, as Christians, doesn't the Bible tell us that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1)? In addition, Psalm 91:11-12 says, "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands, they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone". And then, again, Isaiah 54:17 assures us, "no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from Me, declares the Lord."
So then, some might ask, why does it seem as though our troubles are never-ending and all the security that we have come to depend on in our lives are disappearing? So, what are the lies from Satan that we are believing? Why are we unable to walk in the Truth of God's Word? I think part of our problem is that we Christians haven't done our due diligence when it comes to understanding what God is trying to communicate to us through His Word.
Due diligence [in our modern lexicon] refers to the thorough research, investigation, and analysis [of a person] before signing a contract or financial transaction. And when I consider that Christ paid our debt for our transgressions, resulting in our deliverance from death and the consequences of our sins [if we repent and ask for forgiveness], doesn't it seem we should have a better understanding of how we are to respond in times of struggle?
It has become more apparent to me, as I study the Bible and research the historical context of Scripture,that there have been times when the understanding of the Word has been altered [or at least twisted] to conform man's own interpretations -- often making God fit our image of man, rather than adapting our own image to become more like Him. Therefore, we Christians have accepted the interpretations of Church councils, denominations, and popular leaders for the answers we are looking for in our own doubts and confusion.
Take for instance, one of the most well-known axioms of our faith, God won't give us more than we can handle". But did you know that this statement is not found anywhere in the Bible? But how many of us have clung to its comfort when faced with troubles and sorrows? This common misquote of Scripture is attributed to the misunderstanding of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says, No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Look at the verse closely ... it specificially refers to temptation, not the deeper struggles of life. And now that you know God did not explicitly promise that He wouldn't give us more than we can handle in the world, how does that make you feel? How do you think you will assess your response or level of faith the next time trouble comes calling? I mean, if God doesn't promise to rescue you, will you be able to stand strong in the face of opposition? And if you fall down in defeat, what does that say about you? What do you say about yourself?
Do you begin to question yourself? Your faith? "If I was truly a strong and faithful Christian, I would be able to weather this storm and handle this burden". But that's not what the Bible tells us! Even Paul struggled with this human dilemma. He says, in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, For we do not want you to be unawares, brothers, of the affliction we received in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead.
Did you get that? Even Paul experienced the feelings and thoughts that his faith wasn't strong enough to overcome the challenge before him, and he feared that it might disqualify him before God. But then I picture him getting quiet, and seeking the Lord, and realizing that this corrupted thought pattern didn't match his walk with the Lord. He opened his mind and heart to God's Truth: he had become too dependent on his own strength, and stopped relying on God's strength within him. In essence, he had made himself a "little g" god, and usurped the glory of the Almighty God in his own life. And God, in His loving grace, let Paul undergo that experience to bring him back to the point of surrender. And it is at that point where we know without a doubt that it is God's power that delivered us from life's battles.
So, in light of what we see in the world today, don't you think it's worth spending some time with the Lord, and asking Him to confirm that He isn't asking us to display a level of faith with acts of self-reliance and super-human strength; that perhaps our struggles and yes, our fears, are to convince us [and show us] that He is strong in the midst of our weakness -- that the heaviness of our burden is not a measure of how strong our faith is. If you love the Lord with all that's in you, then give that heavy weight to Him, because He's already paid for it! It's ok if you have to set the weight down, because when you hand it over to Him, He's ready to pick it up and carry it for you.
My spirit is telling me that the world is getting heavier with all the sin it is carrying. Nature is crying out for its Creator to tread the winepress for judgment and justice against wickedness and unrighteous nations. It is our responsibility to stand in recognition of His authority and commit our allegiance to His sovereignty. I surrender everything in me that stands in opposition to this truth, and pray that, in my weakness, His holy and divine strength will be evident. Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
My thanks to the substack written by The Biblical Man, for his ideas and thoughts that inspire me to examine my own theology and understanding of the Word.
Psalm 121:7-8 The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and foevermore.
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