Stuck

One scorcher of a day when my daughter was small, we decided to walk up to Main Street. We did not realize that crews had so recently repaved our street with hot asphalt. Kathren's shoes got stuck in the sticky tar, and she was not strong enough to free herself. I can still picture her little panic-stricken face! Fortunately, I was able to lift her and carry her to the safety of the sidewalk.

I remembered that scene as I was reading Isaiah 30. Verse 15 says, "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved." I learned that the word saved in this verse means the opposite of stuck. The Hebrew word yasha paints a picture of being in a spacious place, free to move. When I make hasty decisions and ignore God's leading, I can quickly find myself stuck.

The word "trust" in this verse means "there is nothing more I can do". When I admit my error, and call out to my Heavenly Father, I must wait for Him to bring the victory.

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:18

Thank you, God, that you are a compassionate Father who longs to be gracious to us.

All We Like Sheep

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:4-6

Those Who Seek Him Out

Without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God, because whoever approaches him must trust that he does exist and that he becomes a Rewarder to those who seek him out.
Hebrews 11:6 Complete Jewish Bible

As a young child, I did not understand much about God. I just knew that I needed Him - needed forgiveness, and needed Him to guide me through life.

I had recently experienced the death of a family member, my beloved Great grandfather. I knew that he loved God and had served him. One thing he did was to start a children's Sunday school in our little town.

I thank God that we read the Bible in our home as well as at church, and that my parents lived what they "preached".

So even in my childlike faith, God heard my prayer and answered. He has been faithful.

ONLY BELIEVE

Fear not, precious flock, whatever your lot;
He enters all rooms, the doors being shut.
He never forsakes, He never is gone
So count on His presence in darkness and dawn.

Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe;
Only believe, only believe;
All things are possible, only believe.
-Paul Rader

I was remembering this song that we sang on Sunday nights at church when I was a child. Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus told us to ask the Father in Jesus name for blessings in agreement with His will. God can shut a door that no man can open, and open a door that no man can shut.

Talking to God

"Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still."
E.M. Bounds

I was just reading the story of Rees Howells. He and his comrades prayed fervently during World War II, and saw many miracles that could only be attributed to Spirit-led prayer.
You can read his story by googling Rees Howells Intercessor-The Wesley Center Online in PDF.

This really encouraged me to keep on praying, even when things look impossible.