Problems Assail

Run Toward Challenge

Mike Wittmer

He looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17

Tom chased the young men who were stealing his poor friend’s bike. He didn’t have a plan. He only knew he needed to get it back. To his surprise, the three thieves looked his way, dropped the bike and backed away. Tom was both relieved and impressed with himself as he picked up the bike and turned around. That’s when he saw Jeff, his muscular friend who had been trailing close behind.
Elisha’s servant panicked when he saw his town surrounded by an enemy army. He ran to Elisha, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” Elisha told him to relax. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then God opened the servant’s eyes, and he “saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (vv. 15–17).
If you strive to follow Jesus, you may find yourself in some dicey situations. You may risk your reputation, and perhaps even your security, because you’re determined to do what’s right. You may lose sleep wondering how it will all turn out. Remember, you’re not alone. You don’t have to be stronger or smarter than the challenge before you. Jesus is with you, and His power is greater than all rivals. Ask yourself Paul’s question, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Really, who? No one. Run toward your challenge, with God.

What wakes you up at night? How can you give your worries to God?

Help me, Jesus, to truly see that You’re bigger than any problem facing me today. Thank You for Your everlasting presence!

- Our Daily Bread

Problems assail us. On every side it seems.  Whe intend to do the right thing and there are times when what we think is right is wrong. 

Our world is changing in ways nobody dreamed possible...not unknown though, just not thought possible. 

I am no different than you in facing problems in each day.  From the small to the great.  Some are easily dealt with, others take planning.  Because it's too much to properly resolve in a day. 

Then there's the problems in ourselves. We honestly can't trust ourselves.  Believers and unbelievers in Christ both have the sin nature to warp and twist our thoughts.  In Christ we who have Jesus have the indwelling Holy Spirit.  But it's up to us to listen to His words. 

We tend to try to tell the Spirit what we want and what we need.  Then we head right back into trouble.  

Prayer is the cornerstone of a relationship with Jesus.  It will take you from just praying over food and family to deeper things.  Like your troubles. Like the things on your heart and mind.  

Prayer is beyond essential.  It's a two way method for drinking the Spiritual waters that our soul needs to survive.  

I need my prayer time with Jesus.  I need to come to Christ throughout the day. A line from a Christian song say "I'm not a warrior, too afraid to lose. Broken people are exactly who you choose".

I am a broken person.  By no means is my life all in order.  If it weren't for slow persistence what is sorted and cleaned in my physical world wouldn't have happened.  In my Spiritual world it's slow persistence of the Spirit in me to make me more like Christ. Sometimes with a swift kick in the backside. 

I am a needy person. In reality we all are.  Even Howard Hughes who thought he had everything his heart ever desired was lacking in his end. He still had a need for a Savior.  What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his soul?  That one is from Scripture.  What could a man give in exchange for his soul?  The answer to that question is Christ.  Born into sin we have no ability in ourselves to be right before a Holy God.  It's not possible.  No amount of good deeds is enough to cover 1 sin. No going to a man in a booth to confess sins is enough to save you.  In Christ Jesus alone is Salvation possible. 

Today, let alone this week, my troubles are complicated and compounded.  Have been facing things that I hadn't considered nor imagined.  

I pray in these times as much if not more than in the more peaceful times.  My Redeemer lives. My Jesus is with me especially when I have no idea how to proceed next.  I know that the bulk of what I am facing is Spiritual warfare.  Satan doesn't want this blog to survive. He doesn't want my walk with God to survive. 

My God is greater.  I don't know what today brings.  I just know Jesus leads the way.  I stress not about this virus or world leaders.  Because God is doing what He said would happen.  It's blows my mind when Christians rage against the things that are ordained by God in His Word.  You want your life to be prosperous and great or do you want His Kingdom to come on Earth as it is in Heaven? Take your pick. You can't have both.  I, personally, want Christ to return.  I want to rest in Him. I long for the day when I finally am held by Jesus and am told the journey is just beginning.  That He loves me and is so glad to see me. 

There are indeed things that I hope to accomplish in life, such as learning to play my guitar, to stand in a space shuttle. But it's ok if I don't as long as God's will is done in my life.  

I want Spiritual eyes to see. I want to be obedient to my Jesus.  I may not be understood by people but I am by Him. 

Pray today for your walk with God. If you haven't been having one then today's a great day to start.  You may face what seems to be impossible, God excels in doing the impossible.  Trust and obey.