Life Ministries

    Esther must have asked herself the age old question, “WHY ME” when Mordechi explained the circum-stances facing her people. All of a sudden, everything seemed to rest on her shoulders. One of the most understandable and predictable reactions in times like this is to ask that question WHY? Imbedded in this question is the sense that what we are facing is far too great for us to handle.  In times like that, it’s important that we draw upon the strength of God’s word. Again and again, we are reminded that God did not make a mistake in making each one us just the way we have been made. David said, it like this, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonder-fully made, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14)
    Do you remember that in the story of Gideon, he had these same kinds of thoughts in regard to doing what was going to be necessary to fulfill God’s plan for him at a critical time. In short, he was sure it was too much, too hard, too much to expect from a person like himself. The angel’s reply was short and swift – “Go in the strength that you have!” Not in the strength you will someday have, not in the strength God is going to give to you – but, go in the strength that you ALREADY HAVE.
    I want to provide you with one of the most important promises in all of the Bible for times like this. It is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 where it says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And, God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But, when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand under it.”
    There are three promises you can hang on to and derive hope from in whatever your current crisis or the next crisis to come:
(1) You are never going to face anything that other people haven’t had to face before – it is going to be something common to man.
(2) You will never face any crisis that is bigger than you are – God is faithful to never allow that to happen. Even though it may SEEM to be bigger than you are, it never is and never will be.
(3) You will be provided a way out to be able to stand under it. God is going to supernaturally show up and do something in you, through you, around you, with you or for you – that will enable you to survive what appears crushing…even to the point of death.
     Understand that the TIMING of this crisis is no accident. Is there ever a good time for a crisis?   Listen very carefully – not only are you not an accident – the TIMING of the crisis is also never coincidental. Somehow, in the vast reaches of the mind of God, he has always known the timing of every event in your life. Listen again to the word of God on this matter: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world, for good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
    Let those two thoughts soak in for a moment. Do you recognize the implications of what they say? God is so infinite in His comprehension of all things – He has seen everything in your past – and everything that is in your future – and everything that is going on in your life right now. And, we just read a few moments ago that He is faithful to control the severity of the storms we sail through. I don’t know if recognizing that fact makes you feel better or feel worse about your life!...Here is what I do know – the advice of Mordechi to Esther was profound – not only for her life but for our lives as well. Look again at what he tells Esther; “Who knows that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this”. (Esther 4:14)
    May I suggest you take a deep breath in your crisis, whenever it may be, – and realize you just have discovered a second reason to have greater hope? Not only are you more than capable of going through this difficult time – the timing is right for you to be facing it – somehow, God has already seen to that. It was not right for this to happen a year ago – and it wouldn’t be right for it to happen a year from now – it’s the perfect time right now for this to be happening. God knew it would happen, God knows it is happening, and God will help you through it…He will “provide a way out”…Joel Olsteen’s favorite verse - “When it seems like there’s no way, God will provide a way.”
    What does that mean? For one thing, it is no accident where you are right now in your crisis. Secondly, it is not accident the surrounding cast that is riding with you through this crisis. By that I mean your family, your friends, your work associates and especially your church. All of those people are going to either impact you – OR, you are going to impact them, by how you handle what you are facing right now.
I have to cut this short for now…more tomorrow.