2005-05-06 - The Best Place to Be

Origianlly Published 2001-10-19

Paradoxically, sometimes when we think things are at their worst, they are really at their best - because that's when come to the end of ourselves and totally depend on God. Are you grieving over the death of someone close, someone you will never see again on this Earth? Are you dealing with the slicing pain of being replaced in someone's heart? Are you facing the devastation of a terminal illness? Are you in some situation in which you have done all you can, but it's still not enough to take care of the situation? As painful as these situations are, they put us in the best place, at the feet of God, totally dependent on Him.

God has all the wisdom we can ever need.

James 1:5 (RSV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.

God has all the righteousness we can ever need.

Luke 18:11-14 (RSV) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted."

God has all the material resources we can ever need.

Matthew 6:31-33 (RSV) Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.

In fact, as Philippians 4:19 reminds us, "But my God shall supply ALL your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Emphasis mine)

If you fee like a failure - if you are at the nadir of a situation in your life, remember that God is just waiting for you to turn to Him. Once we realize and acknowledge our total dependence on Him, He will take over and do what only He is capable of doing.

Max Lucado says it more eloquently than I can, in his book "In the Eye of the Storm:" We dizzy ourselves with doctrine. Burden ourselves with rules. Think that God will smile on our efforts. He doesn't. God's smile is not for the healthy hiker who boasts he made the journey alone. It is, instead, for the crippled leper who begs God for a back on which to ride."

Jan

 cfdevcfpray@yahoo.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org