How To Survive A Crisis
“And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.”
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
The self help section of almost any bookstore sells the most books and yet God makes it perfectly clear in His Word that He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Have you ever heard the expression, “who you are is who you are when no one is looking.” I read a quote by pastor Alister Begg this morning that said, “Crisis do little to create but more to reveal character” and it reminded me of how important it is to maintain a close relationship with God so that when the storms of life hit (like this COVID-19 pandemic) we aren’t easily moved. Because the apostle Paul was completely aware that God was in all things and somehow using all things he could say with confidence, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
It”s been well said that, “God gives the test first and the lesson later” and if you think about it there is solid reasoning for doing so. Consider this, if you do poorly on the test you are more likely to pay attention to the lessons that follow so you can improve your grade. Isn’t that what James writes when he says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:2-5).
James gives us great insight as to the importance of asking God for help. Its not in the Bible but many believe that “God helps those who help themselves” when the very opposite is true. The best way to survive a crisis of any kind is to cry out to God for help, for strength, for comfort, and yes, even forgiveness when we either trust ourselves or look any other place other than to Him. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly, allow it to light your path and nourish your soul. Let your crisis cause you to cry out to God, after all that’s what a crisis is for, to cause us to cry, to cry out to Jesus!
“My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young-- Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah”
Psalm 84:2-4
I LOVE YOU!
Deuteronomy 8:2-3
The self help section of almost any bookstore sells the most books and yet God makes it perfectly clear in His Word that He resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Have you ever heard the expression, “who you are is who you are when no one is looking.” I read a quote by pastor Alister Begg this morning that said, “Crisis do little to create but more to reveal character” and it reminded me of how important it is to maintain a close relationship with God so that when the storms of life hit (like this COVID-19 pandemic) we aren’t easily moved. Because the apostle Paul was completely aware that God was in all things and somehow using all things he could say with confidence, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
It”s been well said that, “God gives the test first and the lesson later” and if you think about it there is solid reasoning for doing so. Consider this, if you do poorly on the test you are more likely to pay attention to the lessons that follow so you can improve your grade. Isn’t that what James writes when he says, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:2-5).
James gives us great insight as to the importance of asking God for help. Its not in the Bible but many believe that “God helps those who help themselves” when the very opposite is true. The best way to survive a crisis of any kind is to cry out to God for help, for strength, for comfort, and yes, even forgiveness when we either trust ourselves or look any other place other than to Him. Let the Word of God dwell in you richly, allow it to light your path and nourish your soul. Let your crisis cause you to cry out to God, after all that’s what a crisis is for, to cause us to cry, to cry out to Jesus!
“My soul longs, yes, even faints For the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, And the swallow a nest for herself, Where she may lay her young-- Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah”
Psalm 84:2-4
I LOVE YOU!
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