a wall on our journey

Well, due to the heavy snow that we've had here in the Northeast, I decided to forgo a trip to church this morning, opting instead to watch my grandmother's church service live.  Wow.  What a good decision that was!  God's providence seemed to direct that message at me and my family.

It seemed that every sentence out of the pastor's mouth was meant for my ears.

He talked about the wall.  Often times we hit a wall on our journey through life.  Often, God places a wall in front of us to teach us to wait on Him.

We try desperately to find a way around the wall, a way over the wall, or under it.  When really, shouldn't we wait for God to take us THROUGH the wall?

Waiting.  What a heavy word.  This is not a passive thing.  Waiting on the Lord requires us to take action.  Actively trusting in God and living each day in His presence.

Often, the world presses against us as we attempt to go through the wall with our Lord.  Evil seeks to push over our already teetering wall.

Psalm 62:3-4-How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence.  They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.  Selah.

Despite all of this, there is good news! 

God is our strength and refuge.

God brings us through perilous times.  What have we to do?  Wait on the Lord and trust in Him.  This does not mean trust in God AND something or someone else, as the pastor made clear.  We are to trust ONLY in God.  Wait ONLY upon God. 

 

The Lord is the only One to bring us through the wall.  We may seek prayer and help from others, but we should not rely on anything or anyone other than our Savior.

Psalm 62:5-8-My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

Again, it seems that God was speaking directly to me.  As humans we will falter.  We will have doubts.  Our thoughts may sometimes be consumed with negativity.

"By now I thought I would have a job.  I've applied for so many."
"By now I thought I would be married, or be okay with being single."
"By now I thought my son would have turned back to the Lord."
"By now I thought my marriage would be better."
"By now I thought this would be over.  I thought my joy in the Lord would be restored by now."

The pastor listed all of these thoughts...all of which I see or experience with my family right now.  It is as if this entire message was meant for my entire family.

These thoughts are clear indications that we have hit a wall.  Yet, it is here at the wall where God is reminding us of His presence.  How?  By bringing us through it, and teaching us to wait and trust in Him.

The Devil seeks to make us doubt.  Evil seeks to make us think that God is not enough.  Trying to get us to turn to our own strength and devices.  Thus, we are faced with a decision.  

Trust God alone?  Or trust something else?

It is a comfort to know that "God ordains the means as well as the end."  He ordains the way to bring us through this wall we are facing.  He will never give us a temptation we cannot endure.  He always provides a way of escape.

1 Corinthians 10:13-There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Another chord struck.  "Do not be ashamed of the brokenness in your life."

My hope is found in the Lord.

Psalm 62:5-7-My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Amazing.  There was yet another moment that caused my jaw to drop.  I have been listening to "In Christ Alone" for weeks.  Almost daily.  In fact, I even posted lyrics from the song in my January 13 blog post.  The pastor quoted this song in his message this morning!

Another affirmation from God that He is with me.  With us. 

He is my strength.

"In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me.
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
here in the power of Christ I'll stand."