I sat outside one evening under the bright silvery moon. A little boy of five sat by me as I brought out my shaving stick to shave. I raised the shaving stick and asked him if he knew what it was. He nodded his head saying it was for shaving “bear-bear” – beards.
I proceeded to ask him if he shaves. To this he shook his head and sadly said, “my mother did not buy me ‘bear-bear’ ” – beards! Laughing
I laughed heartily and told him it wasn’t sold in the market so his mother wouldn’t be able to buy it for him. I added that it would come when he grows to the age. Then it occured to me that as with most men he would wish it was for sale, so he could return it!
I think we should be careful what we desire!
ADVERSITIES
Adversities are myriads of hard and unpleasant situations that come unexpectedly, threatening to stop, kill or destroy not just what we build but even our very lives.
They are not accidents, but part of God’s plan! (John 16:33a)
They are opportunities in disguise for growth, increase and promotion. (Jas 1:12).
However if not properly approached they can leave you bitter rather than better!
First, we must realize that satan cannot afflict or inflict us except God allows him. God is sovereign and no single hair falls without His permission. All things report to Him. If He allows a thing or a situation to befall us, then there must be good in it for us, that is why we have to “count it all joy” when we fall into trials and temptations!
The attitude of victory is not in knowing “why” things happen as we often say, but “on whom” we have believed. Our power lies in “looking unto Jesus”, no matter the distraction, no matter the instrument used.
And so, no matter how fierce or hard the fight may be, keep holding on! At the end of the tunnel there would be a light! It may be a long, dark and scary tunnel, yet it has an end, and a new session of light shall come flooding in!
“Though weeping may endure for the night, joy comes in the morning”, haleluya!
So lift up your head, square up your shoulders and walk with the confidence of the Just! God has justified you and no man can condemn you! You are god on earth!
Welcome to Victory!
“And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? So David brought not the ark to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obed-edom, and all that he had.” (1 Chronicles 13:10-14).
David knew God was angry so he did not take the Ark with him. He was afraid of what the Ark could do so he left it. Everyone also abandoned the Ark. David dissociated himself from it handing it to Obededom because he was a Levite.
David was like saying “it is your business, not mine. Take care of it. Even if the Ark will kill you let it kill you! If anyone will die let it be you!”
Sometimes men expect you to die. They push what they feel is evil, bad, deadly or poisonous toward you. As far as they are concerned you do not deserve to live.
Perhaps Obededom would have abandoned it too but the King’s command forced him to take it into his house. What could have been going on in Obededom’s mind knowing the Ark just killed his friend and colleague Uzzah? How would he regard the Ark that was forcefully entrusted into his care? Would it not wipe out his entire family? But the King’s command?
It is possible he had resigned his fate to death; and maybe believing that he was not good enough for the earth. Maybe he was just an “addition” to mankind, you know one of those “mistakes” of nature and consequently insignificant to human progress and well-being. The King had written him off! Else why would he ask that the Ark which had been on rampage and killing spree be brought to his house!
There are certain situations and circumstances you cannot run from because our King and Lord commands it. People may have been used to push those situations and circumstances to you. They may not be convenient and may threaten all of you: your home, marriage, job, business, etc. Do not murmur! Do not complain! For there is a reward! Obededom did not know that blessings were coming when a life-threatening situation was placed on him!
Nothing takes God by surprise. He rules in the affairs of men. He knew the Ark would be taken to Uzzah’s house. He knew everyone would run from it. He knew Uzzah would be afraid of it. Yet He was watching if Uzzah would receive the Ark into his house. To Uzzah, this was a great challenge!
Look at Joshua and the Captain of the LORD’S host. (Joshua 5:14)
“I’m neither for you nor for your enemies. I am here to do the will of God”, the Angel seemed to say. Even the challenges that come your way, come to do the will of God!
People have their expectations for you. They push you with advice on who to marry, what to do and where to go. Because its your life, if you refuse they expect evil to befall you! From corners and windows they peep like rats through holes, at your home, job, business, marriage, ministry, health, etc. They meddle indirectly in your affairs! And like Sanballat and Tobiah laughed at Jeremaiah, they will laugh at you and riddicle all you do!
Their expectations shall be cut off! And rather than see you fall, they will see you get better and better and better! For the glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former! Despite his fear, Obededom took the Ark (the will of God)in. He “loved not his life unto the dead” – Rev. 12:11
When people force things against you, they move you to the place of blessing! God can use the devil to push you to the place of blessing! Joseph was pushed by his brothers, Jephtah was pushed by his brothers, Mordecai was pushed by Hamman. They all were pushed to places of blessing! If you could just shut your eyes to and receive the “evil” situation, abandon yourself to the love of God and let the will of God unfold, you will come out of the situation smiling and fired up with blessings!
When people expect you to die, know that God is still at work ” in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). That is why you should not be angry when people push you!
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” – Psalm 111:10a
When we talk about the fear of the Lord, we do not refer to phobia, the fear that comes from outside us because of an evil done. Rather, we refer to the inner state of having a reverential trust in the Lord; an honour to the Lord which humbles us as human beings in the presence of a loving Father, with a total hatred for sin and evil, born out of a contrite heart.
Today, many fear man and not God. We may have respect for man, we are not asked to fear man. God gave Job a passmark in that he respected his friends (Job 12:1-3) but he feared God.
“And the LORD said to Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil?” (Job 1:8).
We are also enjoined by the bible, not to fear death, sickness, trials and challenges, or anyother thing that has no power to kill the soul.
“And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28).
When we fear God, we will:
(A) HATE EVIL.
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13).
(B) HAVE WISDOM.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” (Psalms 111:10).
(C) BE WORTH MORE THAN TREASURE.
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD, than great treasure and trouble with it.” (Proverbs 15:16).
(D) HAVE A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE.
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” (Proverbs 14:27).
(E) BE CLEAN
“The fear of the LORD is clean.” (Psalms 19:9a)
(F) BE SECURED FOR ETERNITY.
“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.” (Psalms 19:9).
Beloved, what things do you think should motivate us to fear Him?
I would like to hear from you.
Shalom!
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