During our lives we will all face obstacles. In fact, we constantly face challenges, whether they are small annoyances, or deep issues that grab us and don’t let go. Looking through the book of Esther as a home group recently has challenged me as to how we deal with these obstacles. At times, we may bury our head in the sand and hope they go away or we may try our best to fix them in our own strength. But neither of these were really an option for Esther. The Jewish race – of which she was a part – was being threatened with annihilation. She may have been queen, but she knew how powerless she really was. So, what did she do? She fasted and prayed for three days. She drew near to the only King who was more powerful than King Xerxes. And He gave her the wisdom and courage she needed to overcome the great challenge ahead of her.
As I considered Esther’s approach to her challenges, a sermon I heard several years ago came to mind and this is what I have based the following reflections on. The sermon was based the words of Psalm 34:4-6 (NLT). They say:
I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy;
No shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;
He saved me from all my troubles.
We aren’t Christians because of what we receive. We are Christians because of who we receive. We get a Father and friend when we become Christians, and yet in suffering and when obstacles come I so often lose sight of my personal relationship with a loving Father and find myself calling for what this all powerful God can give me, rather than calling for the Father who cares for me.
Perhaps instead of focusing on the obstacles and challenges in our lives, we should focus on our loving Father God. I love the way the psalm above highlights that when we look to God, he changes us. When we look to God we “will be radiant with joy”. When we’re desperate God listens and can free us from all our fears. So, don’t let things get in the way of coming to God as a child comes to their father.
Let’s look to God, not to the troubles in life because the challenges we face can never be bigger than the God that loves us. The challenges we face don’t offer us hope, God does. They don’t give us peace, God does. And they don’t let us be joyful, God does.
I’m not saying that we should hide away from our problems. But we should first go to God and remind ourselves of his love for us and our relationship with him. Then, giving us hope where there seems to be none, peace when there’s trouble and joy when all we want to do is cry, God can help us through whatever obstacle lies in our path.
Jesus valued his relationship with us so much that he went through immense suffering. Do we value our relationship with him as highly? Take time today, just to be free from your busyness and fears, to put all obstacles to one side and just focus on God, what he has done for you and who he is to you.
Prayer for today:
Loving heavenly Father,
We thank you for Jesus who came into this world for the sole purpose of saving us. Thank you that through faith in Jesus our relationship with you - our loving heavenly Father - is restored. Thank you that despite the challenge of the cross, Jesus was willing to save us.
We thank you today that even though we face trials and challenges of many kinds we can have joy, hope and peace because of our relationship with you. Thank you that no matter how big the obstacles in our lives look you are so much bigger.
When trials come, may we never lose sight of you as our loving Father and provider.
We pray all this in Jesus’ name,
Amen
Song for today:
The words of this song sum up what this devotion is all about, it’s ‘Christ is enough’ and you can listen here.
Christ is my reward
And all of my devotion
Now there's nothing in this world
That could ever satisfy
Through every trial
My soul will sing
No turning back
I've been set free
Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need
Christ my all in all
The joy of my salvation
And this hope will never fail
Heaven is our home
Through every storm
My soul will sing
Jesus is here
To God be the glory
Christ is enough for me
Christ is enough for me
Everything I need is in You
Everything I need
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back
No turning back
Photo by Ronaldo de Oliveira on Unsplash
No comments:
Post a Comment