A wall of water coming at me

Back in the day, over 57 years ago, we had this crazy little car- a BMW where the steering wheel opened out when you opened the door from the front of the car.  Pregnant with my 2nd daughter and incredibly huge I had trouble closing the car’s door because the steering wheel came in across my tummy. I felt rather cramped, but being I had a doctor’s appointment, I headed into town from the Black Forest anyway.  In town and nearing the doctor’s office, suddenly, the sky seemed to open up and torrential rain crashed down as sheets of water.  Glancing up I saw a wall of water was coming down the mountain towards my tiny car just as I was started down a steep hill.

Crying out to GOD, the words of Isaiah 59:19 flooded over me, “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the SPIRIT of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

I believed GOD was speaking to me and I received HIS words.  Relieved and excited I supposed GOD was going to divert that wall of water I saw heading my way.  So, I was caught by complete surprise, and filled with horror when the flood caught up my car, swirling us (my 3 year old daughter and me) around and around and down that hill. I was terrified, Jeri was screaming.  But as quick as it came, it was over.  We were fine, there was no damage to us or the car.

It took a moment to catch my breath then I rushed to the doctor’s appointment.  After seeing the doctor, I questioned GOD concerning HIS word to me.  HE brought (Proverbs 21:1) those words back into my mind. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the SPIRIT of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.” 

It was as if the LORD said: “Wasn’t that what I did?  I never said that the flood would not come but that WHEN it came I would rise up a standard against it.

I had misinterpreted the LORD’s words.  I’d leaned on my own understanding, presuming I knew what GOD was going to do.  And HE didn’t do it my way.

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY actually fulfilled HIS word with exactness. HE had raised up a standard against the enemy by protecting me from harm.

GOD used my trouble for my good (Romans 8:28) for through the ordeal I saw HIM working on my behalf.  The whole episode taught me a lesson to let GOD be GOD, HE strengthened me in my faith and left me knowing I could trust HIM when things got out of control.

Not only that, but HE gave me great story to tell.  A story illustrating how the LORD will delivered those who call out to HIM.  And If I read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 correctly GOD was preparing me to comfort others in their struggles with the very same comfort HE gave me in my trouble.

When the enemy is coming in against you remember, GOD is there to raise up a standard against him.  Call out to the LORD for HELP and HE will answer.  You don’t need to tell HIM what to do or how to do it but expect HIM to act in whatever way HE chooses because that invites HIM to come in as HE knows is best.

hugs

Sharon

Be still and know

Have your plans ever changed without warning?

Reading Psalm 46:10 caught my eye, “BE STILL and know that I am GOD.”  That word BE STILL can be translated calm down, stop fighting, let go, be in awe and silent, desist.

Attempting to put the concept of Psalm 46:10 into words even though there were several other things on my to do list, I talked with the LORD about my day. Saying, “LORD have YOUR way.”  I sat down at my computer and immediately I was interrupted by a phone call. My whole schedule was delightfully changed by grandchildren coming over to help make the traditional Manning goodies (popcorn balls, ginger bears, snowballs) and then sweet friends dropping over unexpectedly.

The picture with the popcorn balls was taken on that day years ago as one of my many grandchildren helped me.

By the end of day and finishing the clean up, I could do no more but collapse, so went and soaked in the tub.

The crazy thing is that my day was actually an illustration of what GOD spoke to my heart in that verse. “Trust ME, Sharon, I have a good reason for doing what I have done.”

When one believes in the LORD JESUS (John 3:16,36, Romans 10:9,10, 13) and becomes GOD’s child (John 1:12) among other things that person is set apart to GOD and by GOD (Colossians 1:13. Hebrews 10:14). Anything set apart to GOD is holy and removed from the realm of the common and moved into the realm of the sacred.

Anything set apart to GOD must be for HIS use alone. But holiness in practical daily life is progressive.

“In reality, the experience of holiness consists in one thing only, complete loyalty to GOD’s will” /Jean-Pierre de Caussade.

To be loyal to GOD’s will is to accept it as best. That can be hard and takes deliberately taking my focus off my way and letting GOD lead me. Especially when traumatic issues arise I must run repeatedly to the throne and ask GOD to refocus me onto the truth that GOD is in control and knows best.

Holiness is deliberately choosing to accept and trust GOD’s timing (Acts 17:26-27), wisdom and foreknowledge of what HE allows or sends into my life. Down through the years I have found that what helps me is the HOLY SPIRIT. HE reminds me that GOD is with me, and HE has a plan and HIS perfect love and foreknowledge of what lies ahead (Psalm 130:16, Isaiah 46:10) filters what comes to me. GOD declares that HE always has a good reason for what HE does! (Ezekiel 14:23). The LORD promises to keep me in perfect peace when my mind stays fixed on HIM (Isaiah 26:3).

Is your mind fixed on GOD, do you run to HIM for direction, or are you focusing on what you want to happen or get?

Hugs,

Sharon L Manning