Strengthened and Straightened

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12,13 (New American Standard Bible)

Recently at a Bible study, the question was asked how we resist the enemy and his attacks on us. As I contemplated that question I “knew” the right answers to give but because I wasn’t doing any of them there was no ability to speak the words. Fighting the enemy is daunting and many times I wait for things to get dark enough and the pain to get excruciating enough before I put forth the effort. The problem is all the damage that takes place within that amount of time. Today’s verse came to mind as my weaknesses, feebleness, and lameness stared me in the face. It awakened in me a desire for strength, straight paths, and healing. That desire is what can turn my gaze back toward God as the only One who can do in me what needs to be done and I am the only one who can allow Him to do His work in me. Others cannot will it. Others cannot do it for me. Like salvation, I must choose growth and change for myself.

How the enemy loves to fill my mind with thoughts that hinder the growth and change. How he loves to convince me there is no escape or way out of situations, emotional pits, or personal problems. Earlier this week, he bombarded me with thoughts such as, “You will never come to the place where God is truly your Source. Sure, you might stop looking to people to meet your needs (maybe) but you will always struggle to embrace God as your true need meeter. You also have no business writing devotionals since failure and faltering steps often mark your path. At this point it would be best for you to step away from everything and everyone until God’s work is complete in you. Then and only then can you begin to talk or write about the Christian life."

Although his words can seem convincing they lose their effect when the light of truth shines on them. Truth from the Bible. Truth from fellow believers. Truth from God’s Spirit living in me. Truth from sound teaching. Truth from music. Truth from resources I have been blessed to read. The truth God used this week was a reminder that He will finish all that He has started in me and one of the things He started was a desire to know Him. As far as devotionals go, broken vessels are usable and out of this broken vessel will come the very things God wants me and others to hear. Stepping away or quitting are no longer options….they never were.

Father, You have strengthened me once again. I praise You! Amen.

Redeemer Savior Friend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r__K8E8y2SU&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.