Dearly beloved in Christ,
I greet You in the sweet name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the life of man there arises situations when he is put to confusion and utter distress. He is shocked. Unexpected occurrences certainly collapses one’s life. Fear grips him. Heart-broken, people may take wrong recourse to suicide. Reasons for those happenings are explained in the Bible.
1. Disregarding the Commandments of the Lord “The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart.” Deut. 28:28
Sometimes it is the Lord’s doing. When you disregard the instructions of the Lord, these things happen. Some of His instructions are given as warnings; some, as counsel; some, as comforting words; some, as blessings. Many do not accept them, but consider themselves wise. So they act according to their ways and meet with failures and defeats. They are distressed, anguished and confused. Once a man started a business saying that he knew it well. He was well qualified and had good experience in it. Even though he was told that it was not the will of the Lord, he did not accept the suggestions and started investing a lot of money. In the beginning it went on well. But all of a sudden there was loss. Even in that situation he did not listen to the word of the Lord. At one stage he could not carry on the business and it had to be closed.He was mentally disturbed and began to seek loneliness. He did not like to speak to anyone. Dear Brother/ Sister, all the counsels, commands and statutes of the Lord have to be observed in life. If you forsake these living words, you would meet with problems, disappointments and chaos.
“Then King Belshazzar was greatly troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.” Daniel 5:9
King Belshazzar arranged a great feast. All his nobles with their wives and concubines took part in it and drank wine. The king commanded his servants to bring all the vessels of gold and silver from the Temple of Jerusalem. As they were using these vessels set apart for holy purpose, a finger of a man appeared and wrote something on the wall. The countenance of the king changed. His thoughts terrified him. The joints of his hips loosened. His knees jerked. He announced aloud to bring the astrologer and soothsayers to read the writing and to interpret it. Dear Brother/ Sister, if we make use of anything set apart as holy to the Lord for our own selfish ends, the hand of the Lord would be against us. There would be confusion and chaos. You would experience terror and affliction. Once the family of a man who worked in a church refused to vacate the house that belonged to the church after his death. There was a big garden adjoining the church. From it they earned a lot. Even though they were asked to vacate the house, the family approached the court. It resulted in terrible happenings in the wedded life of their daughter. On the very day of marriage the couple separated. If we make use of anything that is set apart for the Lord - maybe land, property or things - for selfish individual use, certainly there would arise terrible situations in life.
“And when the men of Israel turned back, the men of Benjamin panicked, for they saw that disaster had come upon them.” Judges 20:41
The Israelites fought against the Benjamites. The wife of a Levite had been ravished by the men of Gibeah and she died. So war was declared. In the war the Israelites faced defeat on the first two days. On the third time, the Israelites set ambush behind them and made a calculated retreat to draw them out of the city. As they came out chasing them, those in ambush came upon them and made a column of smoke to rise from the city. Then the Benjamites panicked. In our lives also when such unexpected things strike us, we panic and stumble. Enmity drives one to commit even murder. Once a group of people were waiting to murder a person. That person had the habit of going to church by a narrow path. His enemies waylaid him there and encircled him. He was greatly terrified. Then he was murdered pitiably.
“Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ”Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, ”I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, ”Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do”” Acts 9:4-6
Saul heard the voice of the Lord for the first time. He was greatly agitated. The presence of the Lord came upon him. He saw the light as well as the voice of God. He was called by name. It was a new experience for him. He was astonished and trembled. “The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty.” (Psalm 29:4). The voice as it fell on the ears of Saul not only made him paralyzed but transformed him. Saul who was against the Lord Jesus Christ and His followers now accepted Him as the Lord. He committed himself to act according to His will. The voice of the Lord and His light make people tremble and have the ability to lead them into Christ. A girl after completing her studies did not get any employment. She did not want to be a burden to the family any longer. She thought of committing suicide. At that time a book bearing the words of the Bible came into her hands. The words, “Fear not. . . do not be dismayed” made an impact in her life. She gave up the idea of suicide. In a miraculous way she had a good job. She became a support to the family. One who was to have brought sorrows brought cheer to the family.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1: 9
Joshua the son of Nun was of great help to Moses. He did everything according to the words of Moses. He was ever with the ark of the tabernacle; one who fought with Amalek obeying the words of Moses; one who brought good report after spying the promised land along with Caleb. Only these two of those who left Egypt entered Canaan. Joshua knew of the wickedness and trespasses of the people of Israel. They were stiff necked. Whenever there was any deficiency, they rebelled. This Joshua, who was chosen to lead the Israelites after Moses, was greatly agitated as to how he would lead them. But the Lord comforted him and led him perfectly. He decided: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” He was blessed with his family. Dearly beloved in Christ, you may have received new responsibility by the grace of the Lord. You may be perplexed as to how you are going to carry out this new responsibility. The Lord who comforted Joshua saying, “Fear not,” still lives. He is the same today. All good responsibilities come from above because of His favor. He gives the wisdom, strength and health. He will exalt you and guide you in a manner that none can find fault with you. He will do it as He has said. He will be with you wherever you go, as He said. He will fulfill the promise fully. The Lord who gives good things of hope and no fear will bless you so. These promises belong to those who have been called from the ends of the earth as the sons of Abraham through faith in Christ. Whatever be the state we are in, he lifts us and calls us and promises us: “I have chosen you and have not cast you away.”
“…You who lift me up from the gates of death.” Psalm 9:13
The Lord uplifts many from the danger and pangs of death and heals them; He also uses them in His ministry. Recently I met a Brother. He was at the fourth stage of cancer and was expecting death at any moment. The doctors had already numbered his days. All those who were his close relatives and friends lost hope. They even started to talk about making a coffin. But the Lord had mercy on him and healed him. Jesus Christ who bore all our weakness and diseases on the cross gave him new life by His power and word that does not change. The Bible says that we are healed by His stripes. Accordingly he was healed and the Lord leads him.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, a nd established my steps.” Psalm 40:2
The Lord God lifts us out of the miry clay of sins and makes us stand upon a rock. He is faithful enough to do it. He not only takes us out of the pit of destruction but makes us stand on a rock so that we may not fall again into the same pit - a rock that does not give way. If your life is built on the rock of Jesus, no storm or flood can cause any harm to you. Your life will not shake. Thus the Lord God rescues us from the clay of sins and protects us as the apple of the eye to stand firm on a rock. It is a new life altogether. All the old weaknesses or sins are gone. It is an exalted life.
“He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.” Psalm 18:16
The lives of many a one are in the grip of a tumultuous flood of different kinds. Flood means being surrounded with water. This indicates the problems that engulf a man. They may be financial problems of debt, or those of one’s children or health or misunderstanding in the family or court cases, defeats or lack of a dwelling place. This is a state of being tossed about in life. Only God can rescue us from such a life. Today you may be in such a situation troubled by so many problems. The Lord God who rescued David from all his problems and made him stand in a broad place will do away with all the problems in your life and lift you up. He will not forsake you. He will rescue you from the jaw of death or from the pit of sins. He assures you: “‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away.” (Isaiah 41:9). He has also called you. The Lord Jesus Christ gave the call: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). He will remove all the burdens of your heart and sin and give a new life to you. Dear Brother/ Sister living all the time burdened in your soul and with no sleep, the Lord calls you. If you would listen to Him and come to Him, He will do things promised to you. The Lord who says: “And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17). He will do a great miracle in your life and quench you thirst. He will thus bless you. In His days on earth, Jesus Christ gave a call to Peter who was a fisherman with the assurance that he would become a catcher of man. So he was used by the Lord. After Him, he was used to carry on His ministry. The Lord used Moses to deliver the Israelites from the captivity of Egypt through signs and mighty acts. The Lord also chooses people for Himself. Psalm 4:3 says: “But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly...” Godliness refers to loving acts and holiness. Let us inherit such a life and be chosen by Him. In John 15:16, Jesus Christ says: “ You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Dear Brother/ Sister, as said in Isaiah 5, the Lord has placed you in a special, good place to yield good fruits. He has given you good protection and provision by doing away with all needs and watering you. When you bear fruits worthy of Him, He will bless you and exalt you. Mark 3:14 says: “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.” Jesus Christ chose them with the purpose of working miracles through them to confirm the message by accompanying signs. Let us also follow Him and become His disciples to be used by Him. He will make us good vessels to do good works. Let us commit ourselves for that life. Thus He desires to lift You, and calls you and chooses you for transforming and exalting you.
“... I will strengthen you...“ Philippians 4:7
For doing anything we need strength. Paul said: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Thus He will transform you and strengthen you. He will give you enough strength in your body, soul and spirit daily and lead you. When you wait for Him, He gives strength in your body so that you will not be tired even if you run. Health in the body is essential. It is said that He would give strength equivalent to that of a wild ox (Num. 24:8). He gives strength to His people and blesses them. The Lord who gives strength also in the soul listens to our prayers and encourages us. As you receive strength in the soul, you feel bold and courageous. In all situations you would be confident. Thus the Lord helps you. Through the Holy Spirit He strengthens your spirit and makes you live a witnessing life for Christ. Whenever the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson, he distressed his enemies beyond measure. Let us also be filled with the Spirit of the Lord and live witnessing Christ.
Many live in a state of helplessness and anguish. Even in travel they need someone’s help to lift their luggage. Some get help giving money. But the Bible tells us that the help of man is in vain. The Lord Himself helps us in our need and in critical situations. Martha was worried thinking who would roll over the stone from the tomb of Christ. To their astonishment, it was already turned over. The Lord who says that He would not forget us will help you in all situations. Let us look to Him like David from where help comes.
“...I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10
The Bible says: “The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.” Hebrews 1:3 says that He upholds all things by the word of His power. He lives. As we meditate on His words again and again, we are upheld and we escape destruction. Psalm 94:18 says: ‘If I say, “My foot slips,” Your mercy, O LORD, will hold me up.’ As we confide all our weaknesses and problems in Him. He holds us by His mercy. That grace is extended to us through Jesus Christ. Because of this mercy, we are not destroyed. This mercy is new every day. Dear Brother/ Sister, accept Jesus Christ who grants you this grace as your Lord and Shepherd. Then mercy and goodness will follow you all the days of your life. Do not despair. The Lord who said that He is your God will do a miracle in you, strengthen you, help you and uphold you. He will make you a spring of fountain that never dries up. That spring of life will quench the thirst of your family and those around you - even other worldly people.
May the Lord bless us!
In the service of Christ,
Bro. C. Ebenezer Paul.