Circumstance can either bring waves of great tidings of hordes of utter
misery and despair. But because it tends to bring us more bad news than good, if
left to its mercy, we would end up desperate and hopeless. If properly addressed
however, circumstance can be used as a guide to lead us to right decision,
especially if we combine them with the power of God's Word and His Holy Spirit,
and circumstance can be used to bring us closer to God.
A few days ago you read a story about our run up Kapuzinerberg, in Salzburg,
Austria (See Rush on Kapuzinerberg).
We weren't even halfway up the mountain when the menacing clouds that had
plagued us for the past hour began emitting boisterous thunder. The rain was
coming down as well, and I couldn't help remembering stories I had heard of kids
who were struck by lightening while standing in wet grass. That's when I
realized that our circumstances were far from desirable.
But what should we do? Retrace our steps to the bottom of the hill or persevere?
Despite my heavy huffing and puffing that were a result of the climb, I somehow
managed to have enough breath to utter a simple prayer: "Lord guide us, protect
us and keep us safe. Thank you Lord."
Immediately I was filled with inner peace, and I knew that God would protect us.
In reflecting on this experience later, I realized that although it was raining,
we were not getting wet. Initially the trees of the forest protected us from
this liquidy stuff, but even after we had reached the top and made our way back
down the mountain, through the streets of the old town, to the bus stop where we
had to wait 15 minutes for our bus, we still weren't soaked to the skin. Our
hats must have kept us dry, or at least the important body parts! But though we
had been in the steady rain for the past two hours, it wasn't until we had
finally entered our hotel that it started to rain in earnest. It came down in
sheets, giving a whole new meaning to the expression, "It's raining cats and
dogs" (poor animals)! If we had stayed outside for even a moment longer, we
would have been drenched to the bone.
"Thank you Lord!" Was all we could say.
His response? "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will
find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." (Ps 91:4 NIV)
Experiencing God is out of this world! We may not be able to rely on people, but
we sure can on the Lover of our soul! He is the One who is in control of all of
our circumstances, if we let Him!
May we learn to depend on Him, and rather than letting our circumstances blow us
over, let's let them bring us closer to Him!
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Rom
8:37 NIV)
"I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as
happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe
for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I
have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who
I am." (Phil 4:11-13 The Message)
Are raindrops falling on your head? Look up to the Provider and rejoice! He will
see you through anything, because He loves you!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.