June 16 ~ Isaiah 54:4
Don't be afraid or ashamed and don't be discouraged. You won't be disappointed. Forget how sinful you were when you were young; stop feeling ashamed for being left a widow.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Evangelist Joyce Meyer tells about an unhappy childhood, followed by a miserable first marriage. She was abused, mistreated, and left feeling totally useless. She had a temper and a generally bad attitude, and she was abrasive and not much fun to be around. She says she was simply not a very nice person. Then she became a Christian, and God introduced her to Dave Meyer, a man who had been praying for God to give him someone with problems. Man, did God ever deliver!
Joyce Meyer felt worthless. She did not see a way out of her situation, and she certainly never imagined God could bless her – much less use her in ministry. And I’ve gathered from reading several of her books and listening to her speak that at one time, she was pretty well consumed by fears of all kinds. I’m sure she was ashamed, discouraged, and disappointed. I’ve heard her say that when God first started nudging her toward beginning a ministry, she thought she must be hearing things! And early on, she led Bible studies in her home, wearing short shorts and smoking cigarettes. She still did not see herself as someone God would want leading a ministry… her transformation did not happen overnight!
We underestimate God. We fail to recognize that He has the power to make “beauty from ashes.” We do not need to be fearful, discouraged, ashamed, or disappointed… we just need to hold on and have faith. We need to pay attention, seek God’s will, and then trust Him to lead us through the “ruins” and “rubble” we may have to wade through to get to the good stuff! In other words, troubles will come… challenges will stand in our way at times… and we may feel like we are never going to get ahead or feel God’s protection – much less His blessings and favor. It’s sort of the “When is it my turn?” syndrome. If you read all of Psalm 54, verse 8 quotes God as saying, “… I will have mercy and love you forever! I, your protector and Lord, make this promise.”
What God did for Joyce Meyer, He will do for each of us. Oh… He may not call us to develop world-wide ministries… but He has a plan for us… and it’s a good one! Hang on – hang in there – don’t be afraid or ashamed, and don’t be discouraged. You won’t be disappointed. Verse 5 says, “The Lord All-Powerful, the Holy God of Israel, rules all the earth. He is your Creator… and he will rescue you.” This is great news! We serve an awesome God…keep trusting Him and believing His promises!
©2010 Debbie Robus
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