The Lord said, "I will go with you and give you peace."
Then Moses replied, "If you aren't going with us, please don't make us leave this place. But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth."
So the Lord told him, "I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
"I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!"
― Dr. Seuss, Horton Hatches the Egg
In the Dr. Seuss book, Horton Hatches the Egg, an elephant named Horton is tricked by a lazy bird named Mayzie into sitting on an egg. Mayzie says she is taking a little break, but in actuality, she is irresponsible and flies away permanently to live in Palm Beach! Horton has promised to watch over this egg, despite all sorts of trials and tribulations. Ultimately, Horton and the nest are sent packing with a traveling circus, but he refuses to leave his post until the egg hatches. Mayzie visits the circus in Florida and demands to have her nearly-hatched egg back, but Horton refuses. Ultimately, he and the new "elephant bird" are returned to the jungle, and Mayzie's irresponsibility and disloyalty get her nothing in return.
Have you ever had someone give you "lip service"...pretend to go along with your ideas, plans or an activity, only to realize that their heart was not in it? Maybe you know someone who tells you what you want to hear and then does the exact opposite when your back is turned - or throws up his/her hands and walks away when things get a little rough. It's frustrating, to say the least...and often hurtful. Wouldn't you honestly rather know up front that this person is not with you...that you are not supported...that there is no spirit of kindness, allegiance or respect for you and/or the project?
If we are honest, sometimes we know this without having to be told...and we all limp along like everything is fine - even when we know it isn't. We "put on a good face". But in our hearts, we know the truth..and this can be a troublesome, even devastating reality that often leads to heartache.
Isn't it great to know that we don't have to worry about this with God...that He says what He means and means what He says?! Doesn't it feel amazing to know that God will never desert us...that even when things get rough - even if life gets so crazy that we feel like we've been sent packing with a traveling circus...God is still right there beside us? Aren't you glad to know that God would never agree with us to our faces and then stab us in the back when we weren't looking?
God is always open and honest with us. If we strike out on our own and try to do things our way - and we know in our gut that He does not agree or approve - we feel it! If we fail to be obedient...serve ourselves and let the devil guide our steps...we can sense God's distance. He doesn't make any secret of that! He never completely deserts us...but when we feel God standing in the wings as we venture ahead, we can be pretty sure that it's because He does not approve of where we are going!
The solution is simple. All we have to do is to listen for God's voice...follow His commands...serve Him obediently...and we can rest in the confidence that He will be right beside us, every step of the way. We won't have to wonder...we won't have to worry...we will know that He is there. We can rely on His strength, power, encouragement, and care to get us through the rough times and challenges...and to share in the joys and successes along the way. He will do the heavy lifting and support us through the mundane "nesting" if we are faithful like Horton. But if we run away or abuse His loyalty, like Mayzie, we will lose in the end.
I am grateful to know that I have such a loving, caring Heavenly Father...that I am always supported and encouraged by a Friend who will never ever leave me or give me "lip service". I hope that you are blessed with this same relationship - that my "Forever Friend" is yours, as well. He can be...all you have to do is ask. Each of us can enjoy a relationship with the One who always says what He means and means what He says...and I'm not talking about an elephant named Horton! Won't you ask God to come with you on life's journey...and give you peace? Aren't you ready for His restful friendship?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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