Tuesday, December 1, 2020
Shalom, to you my Friend and Co-Minister in the Great Commission...
As we approach the close of the most dramatic and traumatic year of our lives, here's something to remember and hold to.
When everything around us changes, becomes chaotic, or comes crashing down, it's easy to wonder where God is, or where in all these things is His hand, and His promises. And yet it is the very nature of this world and of our circumstances - to change, to become chaotic, and to fall - that underscores the reality of God. All things change but Him. Thus, while the world is linked to sand, the Lord is called "the Rock." If we stand, build, rest, our lives on the world and our circumstances, then we're building on sand and will be easily shaken, moved, and cast down. But if we ground everything in our lives, our thoughts, our emotions, our hopes, our joys, our faith, not on this world but what is beyond it, on Him, the Rock, we will not be moved. As it is written:
"God is our refuge and strength
A very present help in trouble
Therefore we will not fear
Even though the earth be removed
And though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea..."
The thing that convinced me that God was real was the fact that what was written in the Scriptures thousands of years ago was now coming true. The Jewish people would be scattered to the ends of the earth but then, in the last days, God would gather them back and bring them into their land - He would resurrect the nation of Israel from the dead. Thus, it is not only that God is real and His Word is true, but that God is faithful. When He makes a promise, He will keep it. Throughout all the turmoil of our times, there exists a nation of Israel as a witness that stronger than the chaos of this world is the faithfulness of God. And it's not just the chaos and turmoil of the world, but the chaos and turmoil we encounter in this life. Stronger still is God's faithfulness.
If He keeps His promise to the children of Abraham, after two and three and four thousand years, He will surely keep His promise to you. And His promises are many. He will keep you. He will never forsake or abandon you. He will be with you always. He will work all things in your life - the good, the bad, and the ugly - for good, for blessing, for glory. It is upon that which you must build, ground, and establish your life, your hope, your heart, your faith. He is our Rock. And upon Him, we shall not be shaken. May God greatly bless you this month as you stand upon the Rock.
Your brother and co-laborer in His love and service,
See Message: The Power of the Rock
