John 13:36-38
Simon Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You can't go with me now, but later on you will." Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I go with you now? I would die for you!" "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
If an emergency arises on an airplane, adult passengers traveling with a child are told to put on their oxygen masks first before they mask their children. This is to ensure that they have the capability to assist their little ones. In other words, they have to save themselves first in order to be able to save anyone else.
Sometimes there is a progression that must be followed in certain situations in order to obtain the desired outcome. Peter had to go through some things to strengthen his faith. Jesus knew this. He knew that Peter would ultimately be an amazing Apostle… and He referred to him as “the rock” in Matthew 16. That’s a pretty strong endorsement in my book! Yet Peter denied Jesus – three times!! - despite his insistence that this would never happen. And we often behave in much the same manner.
Who among us has not affirmed that we were faith-filled Christians who trust God to meet our every need… then whined, cried and wrung our hands over all sorts of issues both great and small? How many of us have claimed that God is our fortress… mighty and strong… then fallen apart and said, “I just can’t take this!”? Someone said to me recently, “I just want to be happy.” My response was that sometimes we have to be unhappy for a while in order to get to “happy!” And I think this is illustrated beautifully in this scripture passage. Jesus knew that Peter was going to have to suffer and go through some things in order to come out strong and truly dependent on Him for His strength and power.
None of us thinks we would blatantly deny Jesus Christ… yet we do this every day in many ways by wavering in our faith and wallowing in fear, self-pity, and impatience. We need to take a deep breath, say a heart-felt prayer, ask God to help us with whatever is challenging us in any way… then thank Him for answering according to His will. The GOOD NEWS is that Jesus is still with us when we emerge from our trials and tribulations… He never deserts us… and for this we should be incredibly grateful.
We may never be “rock star” Apostles for Jesus… but we can become the most humble, devoted servants possible and witness for Him in every circumstance. We may have to go through some things and be unhappy or uncomfortable in order to become the Disciple of Christ that God desires. Or, we can continue to deny Jesus… whether we realize we are doing so or not… and wallow in the misery of the pit that Satan has designed for us. The choice is ours… how will you decide?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label human suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label human suffering. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for August 3, 2011
Psalm 102:1-5
I pray to you, LORD! Please listen. Don't hide from me in my time of trouble. Pay attention to my prayer and quickly give an answer. My days disappear like smoke, and my bones are burning as though in a furnace. I am wasting away like grass, and my appetite is gone. My groaning never stops, and my bones can be seen through my skin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somehow a scripture passage about burning as though in a furnace seems amazingly appropriate for such a hot day as this one! Temperatures in our state are reaching as high as 113+, with a heat index as high as 120 or more! Even if you sit inside all day in air conditioning, you are probably noticing that you feel some effects of the heat… and maybe your appetite has been suppressed lately because of it.
Our “misery,” while physically palpable… especially for those who have to be outside right now… is somewhat temporary. We don’t have to look very far to see people whose genuine misery is on a scale that, thankfully, we cannot even comprehend. Our present heat wave may be making us uncomfortable, but it can’t hold a candle to the drought that is ravaging the Horn of Africa and starving countless people there… including more than 2 million children in Somalia alone. Truly their groaning never stops, and their bones are seen through the skin.
I have asked myself, “Has God hidden Himself from the people of Somalia and others who are suffering around the world… even in our own back yard? How can we assure others that God loves them and is watching over them, when all they know is starvation, dehydration, pain and sadness? How do we trust in God when our days disappear like smoke?”
The answer is complicated… and requires tremendous faith. If we read further in the 102nd Psalm, we see that verses 16-17 say, “…Your glory will be seen, and the prayers of the homeless will be answered.” I believe that God is with us in our heat wave… and I believe He is with the starving children of Africa and others who are suffering around the world. When our children fall and bump their heads, we scoop them into our arms and cuddle them… kiss their “owies” and assure them that all will be well again. I believe that God did this for Jesus at Calvary… and He is holding each of us closely now – especially those who suffer.
God is working in these dire situations. We have heard the reports on our local news stations of relief centers opening to house those in need… the admonitions to check on the elderly and our pets… the “Good Samaritan” features on people who are delivering fans to those with no air conditioning - and cold water to those who need extra hydration. We know that agents of such organizations as UNICEF are at work in the Horn of Africa and other areas throughout the world… providing food, water, medical care, and a hug to those who so desperately need one – and our donations and prayers fuel these efforts. In these ways and more, God is showing up each day… saying, “I’m right here with you. I care deeply about you.”
I encourage you to pray today for all who are suffering… from the heat, famine, illness and disease, and more. Ask God to reveal Himself to each of us in a profound and unique way. Ask Him to scoop us into His arms and sooth our “owies”… and to give us courage and faith for the challenges of these next few days… and beyond. Then be sure to thank God for loving us so well… for answering our prayers and meeting our needs according to His perfect plan.
This is a great time to stay inside where it’s cool and spend some time meditating on all of the blessings of our amazing God. Find a few minutes today to sit in the shadow of the Almighty and give Him praise. Ask Him to show you how you can help others... through this present heat wave and into the coming seasons.
©2011 Debbie Robus
I pray to you, LORD! Please listen. Don't hide from me in my time of trouble. Pay attention to my prayer and quickly give an answer. My days disappear like smoke, and my bones are burning as though in a furnace. I am wasting away like grass, and my appetite is gone. My groaning never stops, and my bones can be seen through my skin.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Somehow a scripture passage about burning as though in a furnace seems amazingly appropriate for such a hot day as this one! Temperatures in our state are reaching as high as 113+, with a heat index as high as 120 or more! Even if you sit inside all day in air conditioning, you are probably noticing that you feel some effects of the heat… and maybe your appetite has been suppressed lately because of it.
Our “misery,” while physically palpable… especially for those who have to be outside right now… is somewhat temporary. We don’t have to look very far to see people whose genuine misery is on a scale that, thankfully, we cannot even comprehend. Our present heat wave may be making us uncomfortable, but it can’t hold a candle to the drought that is ravaging the Horn of Africa and starving countless people there… including more than 2 million children in Somalia alone. Truly their groaning never stops, and their bones are seen through the skin.
I have asked myself, “Has God hidden Himself from the people of Somalia and others who are suffering around the world… even in our own back yard? How can we assure others that God loves them and is watching over them, when all they know is starvation, dehydration, pain and sadness? How do we trust in God when our days disappear like smoke?”
The answer is complicated… and requires tremendous faith. If we read further in the 102nd Psalm, we see that verses 16-17 say, “…Your glory will be seen, and the prayers of the homeless will be answered.” I believe that God is with us in our heat wave… and I believe He is with the starving children of Africa and others who are suffering around the world. When our children fall and bump their heads, we scoop them into our arms and cuddle them… kiss their “owies” and assure them that all will be well again. I believe that God did this for Jesus at Calvary… and He is holding each of us closely now – especially those who suffer.
God is working in these dire situations. We have heard the reports on our local news stations of relief centers opening to house those in need… the admonitions to check on the elderly and our pets… the “Good Samaritan” features on people who are delivering fans to those with no air conditioning - and cold water to those who need extra hydration. We know that agents of such organizations as UNICEF are at work in the Horn of Africa and other areas throughout the world… providing food, water, medical care, and a hug to those who so desperately need one – and our donations and prayers fuel these efforts. In these ways and more, God is showing up each day… saying, “I’m right here with you. I care deeply about you.”
I encourage you to pray today for all who are suffering… from the heat, famine, illness and disease, and more. Ask God to reveal Himself to each of us in a profound and unique way. Ask Him to scoop us into His arms and sooth our “owies”… and to give us courage and faith for the challenges of these next few days… and beyond. Then be sure to thank God for loving us so well… for answering our prayers and meeting our needs according to His perfect plan.
This is a great time to stay inside where it’s cool and spend some time meditating on all of the blessings of our amazing God. Find a few minutes today to sit in the shadow of the Almighty and give Him praise. Ask Him to show you how you can help others... through this present heat wave and into the coming seasons.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for May 27, 2011
Luke 21:8-15
Jesus replied: Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them. When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I will be the first to admit that these last few weeks of deadly tornadoes have really taken a toll on my spirit. From just down the road at Vilonia, Arkansas, to further southeast in Tuscaloosa, the devastation seemed unfathomable. Harrowing stories of loss, destruction – and survival – left me with a lump in my throat. When Joplin, Missouri, was hit, I found myself sitting on the couch watching the coverage and listening to the stories in tears. By the time we watched live coverage of a tornado that ripped through a community north of Oklahoma City, I was truly disturbed. I saw families with children and pets literally climb from underneath the rubble that had - minutes earlier - been their homes and wave a “we’re okay” signal to the helicopter crew.
I asked God, “Why?” It’s a normal, fair question… one God doesn’t mind us asking. I’ve come to truly believe that God does not cause these disasters. But at the same time, He allows them to happen. And I can see how those who straddle the fence over their faith in God’s promises could be asking, “What kind of God would allow such devastation?” I get it… and so does God!
As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve just had another “prediction” that the world would end. Of course, it did not. No one knows the hour… remember? “Why is all of this happening, God? Can You give us at least some hint of your motives and purposes in all of this?” At least a portion of the answer came to me in these verses in Luke. Notice that Jesus warns us first against “doomsday deceivers” who want to predict when He will return. But then, look at verse 11, which says, in part… All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.” If you have watched the news reports lately, you have certainly seen plenty of frightening things in our skies.
So what have I taken away from all of this? Look at the last verse of this passage again… “I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you…” I have asked myself, “What if that were our community? What if that were my son/daughter who was missing? What if my mother’s Facebook page had a post that simply read “Gone”? What if my husband and I and our pets dug out of our safe room and found that everything we owned was gone… the trees sanded bare around rubble that was once our home? What if we didn’t get the warning in time and awoke in a hospital… or heaven? What if we… and most of our community… had to completely start over and rebuild from scratch?”
Without fail, the answer I have received – almost instantly – has been… “It would be okay.” I don’t mean it would be great or that I would not be devastated… but I would have peace, because God will always be with me. None of my enemies – including tornadoes – are able to oppose me. With every news report, I read and hear stories of great faith… saving grace… an outpouring of love and compassion from one person to another. I see the hand of God at work, knitting together communities of people from all corners of the country – and even the world – to offer prayers, support, and physical manpower to help with the rescue and recovery.
As the pastor of one Joplin church said, “This is just the building – the real church is the people themselves.” We are more than our “stuff,” and in these weeks of true human loss and tragedy, each of us has been given a chance to model true Christian behavior. We can donate to the Red Cross and other organizations. We can contribute bottled water and toiletries to drives at our local churches to be delivered and dispensed to the victims of these devastating storms. And we can pray for everyone involved – from the victims to the survivors to the rescue workers who rush to the scene to give physical assistance.
I marvel at how people rebuild and recover from such devastating disasters… but they do. And I know that this can’t happen under human power alone. God surely uses these situations to build His Kingdom and strengthen the faith of His children. This might not be the way we would do it, but that’s why we are not God!
Today, take some time to stop and pray for those who are involved in these natural disasters… tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and more. Ask God to use this situation for His glory… to bring about a great strengthening of resolve and faith in His promises to help us defeat all enemies – even “Mother Nature’s” wrath. Ask God to strengthen your own faith… to give you courage and confidence that you can handle anything that is hurled your way – with His help. Pray for those who are directly involved in these tragedies… that they might have comfort, courage, and peace for their journey. And always…always... thank God for never deserting us… even in the vortex of a tornado.
©2011 Debbie Robus
Jesus replied: Don't be fooled by those who will come and claim to be me. They will say, "I am Christ!" and "Now is the time!" But don't follow them. When you hear about wars and riots, don't be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn't the end.
Nations will go to war against one another, and kingdoms will attack each other. There will be great earthquakes, and in many places people will starve to death and suffer terrible diseases. All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.
Before all this happens, you will be arrested and punished. You will be tried in your meeting places and put in jail. Because of me you will be placed on trial before kings and governors. But this will be your chance to tell about your faith.
Don't worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you or to say that you are wrong.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I will be the first to admit that these last few weeks of deadly tornadoes have really taken a toll on my spirit. From just down the road at Vilonia, Arkansas, to further southeast in Tuscaloosa, the devastation seemed unfathomable. Harrowing stories of loss, destruction – and survival – left me with a lump in my throat. When Joplin, Missouri, was hit, I found myself sitting on the couch watching the coverage and listening to the stories in tears. By the time we watched live coverage of a tornado that ripped through a community north of Oklahoma City, I was truly disturbed. I saw families with children and pets literally climb from underneath the rubble that had - minutes earlier - been their homes and wave a “we’re okay” signal to the helicopter crew.
I asked God, “Why?” It’s a normal, fair question… one God doesn’t mind us asking. I’ve come to truly believe that God does not cause these disasters. But at the same time, He allows them to happen. And I can see how those who straddle the fence over their faith in God’s promises could be asking, “What kind of God would allow such devastation?” I get it… and so does God!
As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve just had another “prediction” that the world would end. Of course, it did not. No one knows the hour… remember? “Why is all of this happening, God? Can You give us at least some hint of your motives and purposes in all of this?” At least a portion of the answer came to me in these verses in Luke. Notice that Jesus warns us first against “doomsday deceivers” who want to predict when He will return. But then, look at verse 11, which says, in part… All sorts of frightening things will be seen in the sky.” If you have watched the news reports lately, you have certainly seen plenty of frightening things in our skies.
So what have I taken away from all of this? Look at the last verse of this passage again… “I will give you the wisdom to know what to say. None of your enemies will be able to oppose you…” I have asked myself, “What if that were our community? What if that were my son/daughter who was missing? What if my mother’s Facebook page had a post that simply read “Gone”? What if my husband and I and our pets dug out of our safe room and found that everything we owned was gone… the trees sanded bare around rubble that was once our home? What if we didn’t get the warning in time and awoke in a hospital… or heaven? What if we… and most of our community… had to completely start over and rebuild from scratch?”
Without fail, the answer I have received – almost instantly – has been… “It would be okay.” I don’t mean it would be great or that I would not be devastated… but I would have peace, because God will always be with me. None of my enemies – including tornadoes – are able to oppose me. With every news report, I read and hear stories of great faith… saving grace… an outpouring of love and compassion from one person to another. I see the hand of God at work, knitting together communities of people from all corners of the country – and even the world – to offer prayers, support, and physical manpower to help with the rescue and recovery.
As the pastor of one Joplin church said, “This is just the building – the real church is the people themselves.” We are more than our “stuff,” and in these weeks of true human loss and tragedy, each of us has been given a chance to model true Christian behavior. We can donate to the Red Cross and other organizations. We can contribute bottled water and toiletries to drives at our local churches to be delivered and dispensed to the victims of these devastating storms. And we can pray for everyone involved – from the victims to the survivors to the rescue workers who rush to the scene to give physical assistance.
I marvel at how people rebuild and recover from such devastating disasters… but they do. And I know that this can’t happen under human power alone. God surely uses these situations to build His Kingdom and strengthen the faith of His children. This might not be the way we would do it, but that’s why we are not God!
Today, take some time to stop and pray for those who are involved in these natural disasters… tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, and more. Ask God to use this situation for His glory… to bring about a great strengthening of resolve and faith in His promises to help us defeat all enemies – even “Mother Nature’s” wrath. Ask God to strengthen your own faith… to give you courage and confidence that you can handle anything that is hurled your way – with His help. Pray for those who are directly involved in these tragedies… that they might have comfort, courage, and peace for their journey. And always…always... thank God for never deserting us… even in the vortex of a tornado.
©2011 Debbie Robus
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