I hope you will be encouraged as you read about the situation of David, the shepherd boy, and Gideon, a lowly farmer, and their overwhelming situations requiring a God-size solution.
A story in 1 Samuel 17, gives an example of trusting God with our problems and battles. David, the youngest son of Jesse, tended his father’s sheep while his older brothers were in a battle: Israel against the Philistines. One day the father asked David to carry provisions to the brothers and report to his father what was happening. When he got to the battlefield, one of the Philistine soldiers was making fun of the armies of the living God. David was upset that this giant would declare that no one could come against him and live.

“For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” David repeated this as he went through the camp and even approached King Saul with these words. The king answered him that he was only a youth and Goliath had been “a man of war” from his youth. David proclaimed that he had taken down lions and bears and that this Philistine would be like one of them. “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Verse 36. With that, the king provided him with his armor and sword. This was not what David was accustomed to he preferred to use what he had been using in the field as he guarded the sheep. King Saul said, “Go and the Lord be with you!”

David prepared to meet this warrior with five stones from the creek and a sling. As he approached the loud-mouthed, boasting, and taunting Philistine, David answered him with these words: “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
He continued to tell Goliath that the Lord would deliver him into his hands. Why would God deliver the Philistine into the hands of David? We find the answer in verse 47:“…and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the Battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hand.”

Where did David place this problem? The problem was placed in the hands of the Lord and the confidence David had going into this battle was given him by his knowledge of who God was and how God had been with him in the past.

Another story I want to call your attention to is about Gideon. You will find the whole story in Judges 7. I will briefly tell you that Gideon was the least of his family, and they were the weakest tribe of Manasseh. And yet, the Lord chose David to lead a military army into battle to overcome the Midianites who were harassing, stealing, and encroaching on land God had given Israel. Gideon had to be convinced that the Lord was calling him for the enormous task, so he tested the Lord.

Finally convinced that God was calling him to lead the battle against the Midianites, his first assignment was to take down the altars of foreign Gods that were in his own father’s household and to erect an altar of burnt offerings to the living God: cleansing and purifying before the battle. Messengers were then sent out to the tribes to come to the Jezreel Valley, ready for battle against the Midianites who had been harassing, stealing, and killing the Israelites for a long time. The number of battle-ready men numbered 32,000. God told Gideon to send home those men that were fearful and 22,000 of the men returned to their homes.

The Lord then told Gideon to test the men to see which ones would lay down their weapons and lap water like a dog or keep their weapons in one hand while kneeling to scoop up water in the other hand. God told Gideon to send home the ones prepared. What? This would be scaring me about now. Only three hundred men remained with Gideon out of. To give you an idea of how many men were lying in the valley with their camels, the Bible describes them as many as the sand on the seashore in abundance.

That night before the battle, with Gideon still lacking confidence, God sent him and a servant down to the enemy camp where Gideon overheard a group of soldiers expressing their fear that they were going against God’s army. They had heard many stories of how God had saved His people. Gideon came back to the tent with confidence and continued with the plans God had given him.

This sounds unrealistic to you and me, but God works His miracles His way not man’s way. This battle was no exception. Just before dawn, three hundred men, each with a clay jar over a torch and a trumpet, positioned themselves on all sides. At the signal, which was a shout “a sword for the Lord and for Gideon,” they were to break the clay jar and blow their trumpet. I don’t know about you, but it just doesn’t seem like it will work!

However, since it was God’s plan, God’s way, the enemy became so confused that they were killing each other or running for the hills. Gideon’s army pursued those running until they were out of the territory and villages and kings were captured. The Bible states that the people wanted to make Gideon and his sons king over the land. But Gideon’s answer to them was that God would rule the land. You can read the full story in Judges 6-8

In this tumultuous world, we will have struggles and battles. Hopefully, these stories will remind you that God is the answer. David and Gideon knew God and His power and were able through God’s strength to overcome adversity. Once again God used ordinary people, His name was once again on the people’s minds and hearts and even today is a part of our understanding of God and His love for us.

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” Psalm 34:17

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:3

“You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you.” Deuteronomy 3:22

A nurse came into my hospital room yesterday morning to prepare me for back surgery. We visited for a few minutes and she said to me that I seemed to be going into the surgery with a confidence which would help me as I went through the process.

All of a sudden, the Bible story I had just read fit what she was seeing in me. I saw this as an opportunity to talk to her about Jesus.

I said, “may I share a story?”  “Sure.” So I read this story.

^“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ’Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’” ‘He replied, You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him’”

Matthew 8:23-27

What she saw in me yesterday was that I had just placed my storm in the hands of the one with power to do something. As a result my peace and confidence reflected out to her and provided an opportunity to talk about the Lord.

“So, when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose; He guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Mel-keys-idek).” Hebrews 6:17-20

At the beginning of the book of Hebrews, written to the Jewish Christians, the writer addresses the foolishness of Judaism and the superiority of Christ. The ten commandments cannot redeem you they only point you to the One who can.

Then in Hebrews, chapter five, he switches gears and begins the “What is wrong with you?” Don’t you know better? You are still on milk when you should be moving on to mature actions. You are arguing about things that are settled instead of moving to the important ministry that God has for you to do. You are still arguing over the color of the carpet, what position the piano should be in, and who is sitting in your seat in the pew. Watch it, you might be fitting the description in Hebrews of a baby Christian!

Moving to the sixth chapter, he begins to explain why we should be mature in our lifestyle: we have hope that is sure and steadfast. That hope is a promise from God, it is not secured with anything or by anyone in this world, it is designed by God Himself.

Look at the first part of this passage: It says, “God desires” that we be strongly encouraged. The writer of Hebrews has given you some important facts. One is God’s purpose and promise to Abraham which was that he would have many descendants and they would bless nations and out of his descendants would be kings and they would possess all the land God promised to Abraham. Now Abraham was 75 years old when this promise was made and was 100 when his first son, Isaac was born. I don’t know about you, but my faith would have sure been tested. The second important fact is that God’s purpose was given with an oath or covenant Himself.

Tying the first part of the scripture to the rest of the scripture is important. The writer is pointing out that we are a part of that promise. As a Christian, we are heirs of the same promise and purpose. Our faith in God, as Abraham’s faith in God, gives us a hope that is secured by the oath of God and bought by the blood of His Son. Jesus Himself said that Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing the salvation of the Lord. (John 8:56-58)

The writer then moves to the point that we run into the refuge for strong encouragement that we might hold fast to the hope that is the anchor of our soul.

I read an illustration that helped me put into perspective the anchor holds as used in Hebrews: When a storm is brewing, a fisherman will take his anchor and climb up in the rocks to find a solid and secure place so when the water rises and the wind tosses the boat around, the anchor will keep the boat from breaking away into the sea. We may be more familiar with the anchor being dropped down into the water to hold us in place as we fish or to steady the boat in case of a storm. Either way, the Hebrews writer used the anchor to portray strength and steadfastness.

As if all of this is not enough to give you strong encouragement, the author references the traditions of the Old Testament or old covenant in order to help them understand who Jesus is and that He is much more than what the high priest in Jewish traditions was.

Look what Matthew recorded. Matthew 27:50 “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and gave up His spirit and behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook, and the rocks were split.

Let me give you a little more background from the Old Testament and Jewish Talmud to illustrate how meaningful and purposeful the tearing of the curtain from top to bottom was and how that fits into our secure anchor.

The original temple had three sections: the first curtain separated the people from the priest. The second curtain separated the priest from Holy God. The third curtain which was 60’ long and 30’ tall and 4” thick and was reported to have taken 300 priest to manipulate it. It was filled with God’s presence and the Ark of the Covenant. Once a year the high priest, who was the only one allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, would take a blood sacrifice to be sprinkled on the mercy seat to make atonement for the sins of the people.

That is why it is so significant that Matthew included in his book the fact that when Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom. This was final, no longer was there a need for a high priest because Jesus was now the highest of high priest on our behalf. He is, was, and continues to be the only atonement acceptable to Creator God.

John recorded what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” John 14:6

Understanding of these two passages contributes even more insight into the passage in Hebrews: Jesus is the high priest forever and He is the only way to the Father. It gives us more knowledge of just what the writer was trying to say about the importance of hope, secured for us by Jesus who is our High Priest making intercession to God on our behalf.

When you placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it is through Him that you have been redeemed, secured, and are being held firm. He is your intercessor. Through Him you have communication with the heavenly Father and have been given a gift of spiritual guidance through the Holy Spirit. His death on the cross provided that passage from death to eternal life. He is the steadfast anchor that holds.

There is nothing in this world that will give you the strength and courage and confidence to stay strong in the middle of a storm except that assurance that Jesus Christ has put that anchor squarely in the presence of almighty God.

Is anyone out there that hasn’t heard about or is becoming wrapped up in the Monday event of the Eclipse?

I will be looking. I’ve been watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets over the past few months and I can’t remember when I’ve seen such a series of breath-taking beauty . God definitely has us looking up in anticipation and this all reminds me of the scripture that tells us to be alert and keep watch

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of My return.” Matthew 25:13 NLT

What I will be remembering when I gaze through my glasses as the moon passes in front of the sun is the scripture that describes an event that happened when our Lord was crucified. The Bible tells us that as Christ hung on the cross there was darkness that lasted almost three hours.

^{Matt 27:45, 46 “}Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”

Do you know what God had to do to stop the sun and the moon and all of the stars for three hours? The Eclipse we will see on April 8^th will last only four minutes but all will be watching and all will marvel whether they give God credit or not.

As for me, as I watch, I will be thinking about the darkness that happened at the crucifixion of Jesus. That God could not look upon His Son as He bore all the sins of the world. Jesus died as the son of man! But glorious day, He rose out of that grave as the SON OF GOD.

I want to share two stories from the Bible that will help answer this question. You and I are always asking in our humanistic way: Why didn’t God heal him; Why didn’t God stop the incident; Why is God allowing this? These questions are prevalent in our lives daily and it is a study that would take a lot of research. (I have study workbooks available that will delve deeper into these questions if you look at the section of this website under Books and Study Materials.)

For now, I want to talk about two incidents in the Bible when Moses was called by God to do a task and when Paul, the writer and apostle of Christ, was called to spread the gospel to other cities and countries.

Moses was actually a Hebrew but as a young baby was discovered by the sister of the Egyptian Pharoh and so was raised and educated in the Egyptian Pharoh’s house. As an adult, he came upon an incident where a Hebrew slave was being beaten and he killed the Egyptian overseer and buried him so no one would know. But it was found out and he fled Egypt and for forty years he lived as a shepherd in the land of Midian.

At the time God called Moses from a burning bush in the wilderness, he had been a sheep herder for forty years. Moses told God to use his brother Aaron because he could speak better than him. If God had a task for Moses that required him to be well groomed, well versed in the Egyptian language, an orator, persistent, persuading, etc. then why wouldn’t God heal him of his speech impediment? After all, he would be speaking directly to the most important Egyptian Pharaoh, possibly King Ramses II, and he would be asking for the release of 600,00 male slaves and more than that when you add the women and children.

If you are not familiar with the story of God calling Moses to the task of speaking to the Pharoah to release the Israelites who by this time had been in Egyptian bondage for over 400 years, you can read it in Exodus 3:1-14.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” Exodus 4:10 NIV

“But Moses said to the Lord, ‘Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?” Exodus 6:28-7:7 Why would God use a man with a speaking problem to do such an overwhelming task?

Now turn your attention to the New Testament and to the prayer of Paul the writer of thirteen or fourteen books or letters in the bible and the man called by God to carry the good news of Christ to many cities and countries. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, you can read that Paul has prayed to God three times for Him to remove the “thorn in the flesh.” Whatever this is, Paul decidedly acknowledges to God that if he is to do the job God has called him to, he will need God to remove the obstacle.

Why didn’t God heal the “thorn” (metaphor for pain) even though he prayed three times for healing, and he was setting out on a massive task that God had placed on his shoulders?

The answer God gave to Moses was: “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now, therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” Exodus 4:11-12 ESV

God gave Paul an answer. “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Paul added his testimony; “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV

When Moses and Paul took their eyes off their situations and focused on the task God had given them, God gave them all that they needed through His power to accomplish the work despite their handicaps. Testimonies and examples of what can happen when we are about the Lord’s business are in the Bible and those lives around you who are dedicating themselves to God’s service.

Jesus said as He prayed to God before the crucifixion: “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36 ESV

So many times, we are depressed and/or overwhelmed by the troubles and trials we face daily. Take a few minutes to read this story which many of you may have heard as a youngster. Reading it now as an adult will bless your heart as you see God’s plan unfold in the life of Joseph.

This story can be found in the book of Genesis about a young man named Joseph whose father was Jacob and mother was Rachael. He had a younger brother Benjamin but he also had older step-brothers and a step-sister. Rueben was the oldest, and Joseph and Benjamin were number eleven and twelve in the household. I’m sure by now you are wondering why this is important to the story. You will see as the story continues, how God’s plan and God’s promise evolved to what later became the twelve tribes of Israel as he had made a promise to Abraham, Jacob’s grandfather that he would make Israel a great nation. It was Jacob’s sons that became the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jacob loved his wife Rachel the most and when she finally conceived a son, it was apparent to all those around him who his favorite son was. One day as the story unfolds in Genesis 37, Joseph was in the pasture with the flocks and so were a couple of his brothers. They must have been up to no good because Joseph reported the incident to his father. Of course, this didn’t sit well with the brothers and it drove a stronger wedge between Joseph and his brothers. If this wasn’t enough to make them dislike him, Jacob made a special coat for Joseph. It was an unusual coat of colors representing nobility and not the usual coat of a sheep herder. Jealousy, anger, and fear that their father would leave all the inheritance to Joseph built up their emotions and so they plotted a plan to do away with Joseph.

Oh, but in the meantime Joseph had a dream which he told them all. This dream was about binding sheaves in the field and Joseph’s sheaf arose and stood upright while all of theirs gathered around it and bowed down to his sheaf. Well, then the brothers began to question him. Are you saying that you will rule and reign over us?

As if that wasn’t enough, Joseph had another dream in which the sun, moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to him. This dream he told his father and brothers. His father rebuked him and said shall I and your mother and brothers bow down to you? This added to the jealousy and anger the brothers had for Jacob, but the father kept this in his heart.

One day the brothers moved the herd of sheep into another area of the country to find grazing land. Joseph was left with his father, but Jacob wanted a report on how the men were doing and where they were located. So he sent Joseph to check on them and bring word back.

They saw him coming from afar and the brothers talked among themselves and plotted to kill him. Rueben the oldest tried to persuade the others not to kill him because the murder would be on their hands. He suggested they leave him in a cistern which he secretly intended to come back for Joseph after the men and herd had moved on.

However, while Rueben was gone, the other brothers hearing a caravan of Ishmaelites coming through the desert on their way to Egypt to sell their goods, decided to sell Joseph as a slave. Which they did, but then had to make up a story to tell their father. So, they tore the coat of many colors up into pieces and dipped it in the blood of an animal. When they took it to their father, he assumed a wild animal had killed Joseph. Jacob was very sad and was not able to compose himself because his favorite son, the one who would receive his inheritance was dead.

The traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of the Pharaoh of Egypt. The officer observed that the Lord’s hand was on Joseph and that everything he did was successful. So he gave Joseph charge of everything in his household. However, that ended with Joseph in jail when Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of coming into her room and had his robe to prove it.

During his time in jail, he was able to interpret several dreams, one for the Pharaoh’s cupbearer and one for the baker who had both been thrown in the pit with him. Joseph had hoped that the cupbearer would remember him when he was restored to his job as cupbearer again. But he did not, and Joseph spent another two years in the house of the jailer. One day, he was summoned to interpret a dream for the Pharoah because when none of the magicians or wise men of Egypt were able to give answers to the dream, the cupbearer remembered Joseph.

Joseph listened to the dream and then told the pharaoh that God had blessed him with a prediction of what was about to happen in Egypt: There would be seven years of good crops and after that, there would be seven years of famine.

He even told the Pharoah to appoint good overseers of the crops and to begin saving back 1/5 of the crops to help through the famine years. The Pharoah and all of his servants and commanders were so impressed with Joseph’s interpretation and solution that they put him in charge of all of the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:38…”Can we find a man like this, ‘in whom is the Spirit of God?”

Are you watching how God’s plan for Joseph is unfolding? The good news is Joseph was loved by his father, the bad news is his brothers hated him, the good news is he landed in the home of an important officer, the bad news is the wife used him to make her husband jealous and he landed in jail, the good news is the cupbearer, who had been jailed with Joseph, on his release remembered Joseph interpreting his dream and gave Joseph a chance to get an audience with the Pharoah.

Are you relating to this story yet? I want you to see that as we move through life with trials and troubles, two things happen: our testimony reflects that we are a child of God and that God is always caring for us.

For the next seven years, Joseph stored the corn and grains of abundant years of good crops and when the famine came everyone it says from all over the earth had to come to Egypt to buy food. One of those people just happened to be Joseph’s father who learned that Egypt had plenty of grain for sale. He sent all of his sons to buy grain but kept Benjamin back. He was afraid something would happen to him.

When the brothers got to Egypt, Joseph recognized them, but of course, the brothers had no idea that the overseer was their brother Joseph for he was clothed in the finest Egyptian garments and gold jewelry, and I suspect that his beard was in the style of the Egyptians. Joseph accused the brothers of coming there to spy so he had all of them confined to prison for three days and then inquired again about them being spies. In their answer, they told him that they were all honest men of one father and brothers of twelve of which one was gone and one was left with their father. Then Joseph inquired about their father and the one brother left behind. He said he would sell them grain, but one of the men would have to be left behind in confinement until they brought back the other brother to prove their story was true.

Joseph gave orders to his servants to place each man’s money back in their grain bags. When the men stopped for a night’s rest, they discovered the money at the top of each one of the grain bags. They all became afraid. They arrived home and explained all of what had happened, and that they couldn’t go back to Egypt to buy grain unless they brought their brother Benjamin back with them. This greatly disturbed Jacob, but when the grain was gone, they had no choice but to go back. After must deliberation, it was decided to take Benjamin with them.

When they arrived in Egypt, Joseph ordered that all should be fed from his table and he asked the servants to give five times more grain to Benjamin. As they were leaving once again with their bags of grain, Joseph asked the servant to once again put their money back in their bags but in Benjamin’s bag along with the money they were to place a silver cup from Joseph’s table.

After the men left and were on their journey, Joseph sent the servant after them to check the bags of grain. The money was found in each of the bags but when he got to Benjamin’s bag, he found the money and the silver cup. The servant said that he was to bring that person back to Joseph for punishment. But the brothers were concerned that if they went back to their father without the youngest it would be his death. So, they all went back to beg for mercy and to see if one of them could be imprisoned instead of Benjamin.

Joseph was so emotional he could no longer hold back the tears. He told the men who he was and inquired to see if Jacob was still living. When he finally composed himself, he sent the men with many wagons and many goods with a message to his father to move everyone to Egypt where there would be plenty of grazing land and an abundance of everything for them. His brothers were overwhelmed, they bowed low and prostrate on the floor. Joseph’s reply to them for what they had done. “And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20

God has a purpose and a plan for your life.

A funny thing happened one day at a grave site. Now you might be thinking that this is not a place for a laugh. But wait till I tell you what happen and see if it doesn’t bring a laugh!

My pastor husband was overseeing funeral services for a long standing church member who had helped build the original church building. He was known as a kind old timer, loved by the community.

Upon arrival at the cemetary, a large crowd had gathered so I stood at the back. I couldn’t hear what he was saying n g but I could tell he was reading the scripture. Then everyone bowed for prayer. As I was watching all of this from a distance, I could see that he had finished. I blinked and he was gone. Just for an instance, I wondered if the Rapture had come. I composed myself and moved toward the front of the crowd because by this time everyone was running toward the casket. As I get to the front of the group, my husband is climbing out of the grave!

This was my husband’s first funeral to preside over and he was a little nervous about the situation because there would be such a large gathering. He suggested that I not go to the funeral but go to the grave side service. He told me he was going to read a scripture and then have prayer with family.

Turns out, the funeral personel had put the framework too far from the edge and had covered it with artificial grass turf. As my husband told me later, just as he stepped in front of the family to shake hands, he dropped down between the edge of the grave and the framework.

He did manage to throw his arm over the framework and pull himself up and shake hands the family.

Yes, you are laughing at this hilarious story. But my reason for sharing it with you is to bring up a point. Are you ready for the Lord’s return?

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.Therefore encourage one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ESV

Because this is the season that we think of snow, Christmas trees, jingle bells, and joyful music, it is also a time of sorrow for many people as they try to maneuver through the holiday festivities both financially, mentally, and time-wise.

The Lord has laid it on my heart this morning to encourage you. We all need this encouragement from God’s Word, and to be reminded of just how much He loves us. We are not alone, He has prepared us for living in this world where troubles abound. I was reminded as I attended Bible study, a worship service, and on another occasion, a worship-in-song service of just how much God loves me and has provided all that I need to live in this troublesome world.

My attention was drawn to the last day Jesus had with His disciples before He was led to the cross. Meeting with His disciples this is what He told them: “In the world, you will have tribulation. ” But He also gave an answer to overcoming the troubles of this world: “In Him we can find peace.”

”I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

To set the stage for this scripture, Jesus spent the last night with His disciples before His crucifixion. He related to them that He would be taken, persecuted, and killed. This is not what His disciples wanted to hear because they had walked with Him and knew His power and presence. They believed He had come to save the world in the physical sense of the word. After spending three years seeing His miracles and walking with His teachings, how could they understand that He was going to be put to death by His own Jewish nation? Jesus not only prepares them for His death but also about His life after death with God, His Heavenly Father.

Along with the knowledge of the coming death of Christ, John records that the Lord gave them hope through the knowledge of a Comforter or Helper. I wonder how they grasped hold of all the instructions and assurances that He told them that night.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” John 13:34, 35.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me….If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3

John records that Jesus explained to the disciples that He was in the Father and the Father was in Him and that whoever believes in Him will do greater things because He is going to be with the Father and He assures them that if they ask anything in His name that they will receive it. John 14:12-14

Sometimes we take that particular verse and use it to go to the Lord in prayer for our needs, but this isn’t what the Lord was talking about. He was submissive and committed to doing God’s Will, God’s Way. He was telling the disciples that whatever God wanted them to do, Jesus would see that the Father gave them what they needed to accomplish God’s Will, God’s Way just as He was submitting to the Father.

Then Jesus tells them that if they love Him, they will keep His commandments and that He would ask on their behalf that the Father provide them with a Helper.

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:15-17

You can use the following scriptures to see all the ways in which the Helper, The Holy Spirit, has been provided for you and me to equip us with the ability to move through this season, this world, or any given situation. We can know that we have the tools and the assurance from the Lord that we can overcome because we know the Overcomer.

(To know God’s Will, Ezekiel 36:27; Leads according to God’s will, Psalm143:10; Our Advocate, John 14:6; Our teacher and reminder of the Lord, John 14:26; A witness and testimony of the Lord and God, John15:26; He is given as a promise of our inheritance, Acts 5:32; He is the channel through which God’s love is poured into us, Romans 5:5; He gives the power of hope, Romans 15:13, He helps us to know the thoughts of God, I Corinthians 2:11, He abides in us forever, I Corinthians 6:19-20)

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13

That way to that Peace is through Jesus Christ, His Son who is the propitiation for us from unholy to holy before the heavenly Father. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6

“Where are your gods which you have made for yourself? …Let them arise if they can save you.”

As the Lord spoke to Jeremiah concerning Israel He said: “My people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.” “For My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

Jeremiah chapter two is very clear as God has a conversation with the prophet Jeremiah that His people have turned their backs on Him the “fountain of living water.” They have placed their trust in what they can make themselves and relied on other’s opinions and directions instead of seeking God’s Word, God’s Will, God’s Way.

I am constantly amazed as I read God’s Word to see time and time and time again where Israel turns away from God. In fact, He calls them a stubborn and rebellious people. They choose to make paths for themselves that have no benefit. They find themselves in deep trouble because they have not followed God’s instructions or even cared to have Him in their life. Most of the stories go like this; they worship other gods, they observe and follow other people, and/or they just don’t care about God. BUT when it is convenient or they find they are in deep trouble, then they pray to God. Does this sound like you?

When I was a kid we had a term called “wishy, washy.” This was used to say that a person was indecisive or would not take a firm stand on something; one way, one day and another way, another day.

Mature and learn from your mistakes. Ask God to help you recognize quicker when you are straying from Him because the pit you fall into is just around the corner. I am happy to share with you some promises from God’s Word and there are many. I hope these few will give you the strength and courage to stay the course. Become steady and steadfast in your journey with God.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean no on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5,6

“Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His presence continually!” I Chronicles 16:11

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord you God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17

Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. I Chronicles 16:11

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

Is anything in your life too hard for our Lord’s hand? Everything and everyone around us seems to be in the middle of drama, either just in or just out of. Pride and arrogance seem to be the norm. I was reminded of a story that Moses recorded in the eleventh chapter of Genesis where pride and arrogance brought about a worldwide event that has affected us to this day.

After the great flood, God gave instructions to Noah, his sons, Shem, Ham, Japheth, and their wives that they were to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Genesis 9:1 God repeated this a second time. Then in verses 12-17, He gives this covenant; “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember My covenant that is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh. God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.’”

One of those descendants, Nimrod, migrated east to the land of Shinar which means “country of two rivers.” Those two rivers were the Tigris and the Euphrates which flow through modern-day Iraq. His father was Cush whose father was Ham whose father was Noah who was still alive at the time. Noah lived to be 950 years old and was 600 years old at the time of the flood. Just to give you an idea of the amount of time that elapsed between the flood and the tower of Babel.Nimrod, known as a mighty man, led the people to be a powerful and successful nation of thousands. He wanted a symbol or monument to himself and his accomplishments; one that could be seen by all. So, he proposed that the people build a tower that could be seen from a long distance. It would be a tower to the heavens so the gods could come down and the people could go up to the gods. This tower was made with bricks dried with fire and a mortar described as asphalt which took over 100 years to build.

Moses wrote this story in Genesis, chapter eleven and it describes them as a people that had become prideful and arrogant. They didn’t need God; they had become the powerful nation of Babylonians.

Josephus, a writer of ancient history, stated this about Nimrod: “He also said he would be revenged on God if he should have a mind to drown the world again; for that, he would build a tower too high for the waters to be able to reach and that he would avenge himself on God for destroying their forefathers.” (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 1, Chapter 4)

“And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, ‘Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech.’ So, the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore, its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth, and from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.” Genesis 11:5-9

Interestingly the Hebrew word for Babel or Babylon is Balal which means to mix, mingle, confuse, confound. The very meaning of the name given to the Tower of Babel was appropriate because God confused the builders’ language so they couldn’t understand each other.

The Lord had given Noah’s family the responsibility of replenishing the earth. Nimrod, only three generations from the great flood had abandoned the salvation of the Lord and the one and only true God who spoke directly to his great-grandfather. He was now building a monument to himself, staying in one place and building an empire dedicated to themselves and their selfish and prideful arrogance.

I was amused that Nimrod and his officials thought they could outsmart God with a tower high enough to prevent them from dying in a flood caused by God. I was equally amazed that they didn’t believe God when He said He would never destroy the earth by a flood again. But then I am often caught off guard myself when I go to God in prayer with answers to problems instead of saying to God, “Your will, Your way.” What? Am I smarter than God? Oh, may I always be reminded of the power of the Almighty God and His love for me. I hope this story has reminded you of what an awesome God, creator of man, and will help you realize God has a plan and purpose in store for you.
These two scriptures help me put things in perspective when everything around me is chaos. May they be an encouragement to you today.

Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”