Disruptive Moments

Posted under Uncategorized on April 3rd, 2007 by with one response 

Disruptive Moments
Meeting God at Your Bend in the Road
by David Jeremiah

Julie Thompson?s bend in the road began with the discovery of a lump. For James P. Colepepper, it was a visit from police officers who told him his ?identity? had been stolen and his credit cards used to finance an illegal operation. For Todd, it was the news that his company was filing for bankruptcy and laying off its employees.

At such times, we feel we?re at one of life?s dead-ends; but for Christians, these are only bends in the road, disruptive moments sent to develop our faith and prove God?s faithfulness. As Helen Steiner Rice said:

Sometimes we come to life?s crossroads and we view what we think is the end.
But God has a much wider vision and He knows that it?s only a bend.

When I came to a bend in the road of my life, studying King David?s life and reading his soul-searching Psalms helped me remember that God is there in the midst of our trials, in the center of our pain?comforting, guiding, teaching, sustaining. Even in the valley of the shadow of death, we needn?t fear, for He is with us.

Think Differently
Many of our problems are the result of our saying, ?The Lord is my Shepherd, but I have this or that problem.? We should say, ?I have this or that problem, but the Lord is my shepherd? (Psalm 23).

When we face trials, we need to remember who God is. Sometimes we?re so focused on our trials, we forget to focus on Him. He?s promised to care for us, restoring our souls, anointing our wounds, filling our cups to overflowing. He?s the keeper of our lives, and His goodness and mercy follow us all our days.

Pray Earnestly
Here?s how David survived being hunted by King Saul and his army: ?In my distress I ? cried out to my God; He heard my voice? (Psalm 18:6).

If you?re facing a bend in your life right now, cry out to God. He can deepen your spiritual life, taking you farther into His pavilion of prayer. He wants to turn your problems into prayers, and your prayers into praise: ?The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let the God of my salvation be exalted? (Psalm 18:46).

Wait Patiently
When we come to a bend in the road, we must patiently yield right-of-way to God, letting Him take the lead. He knows what?s around the corner and how fast to go. As David said, ?But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, ?You are my God.? My times are in Your hand. Deliver me? (Psalm 31:14-15). David wrote those words during a period of unbearable pain in his own life.

Surrender your trial to God and wait on Him who holds our times in His hands. How often David told us to be of good courage and wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14). As Fanny Crosby put it:

O child of God, wait patiently when dark thy path may be, And let thy faith lean trustingly on Him Who cares for Thee; And though the clouds hang drearily upon the brow of night, Yet in the morning, joy will come, and fill thy soul with light.

Praise Joyfully
The Psalmist also teaches us to praise joyfully and be triumphant despite current circumstances, knowing that God reigns and heaven rules: ?I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth?. They looked to Him and were radiant? (Psalm 34:1, 5).

From King David?s hymnbook, the Psalms, we learn to praise the Lord when our pathways are straight and clear and when they aren?t. It?s impossible for Satan to remain in a room filled with worship or in a heart filled with praise and singing.

Are you facing a bend in the road today? Remember the shepherd boy, David. He faced one bend after another and left a lot of signposts for us in the Psalms. Follow his example. Learn to think differently, pray earnestly, wait patiently, and praise joyfully.

Rejoice in Him who can make the crooked ways straight and the rough places smooth.
This article was excerpted from Turning Points, Dr. David Jeremiah?s devotional magazine. Call Turning Point at 1-800-947-1993 for your complimentary copy of Turning Points.

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