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Listen while you read: "I Waited For The Lord My God"1
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Psalm 16:8 – I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. (NLT)
One took advantage of the situation; the other stepped up to the plate.
Watching a few middle-schoolers traipse down the hall on crutches or with a limb in a cast isn't unusual. In addition to the injuries, there are usually health-related issues as well. Students missing class for injuries or health concerns is typical; how they deal with it varies.
One particular year, two stood out. One had a broken limb, the other a health-related issue that kept him home for weeks. Normally, when students have broken limbs, other students come alongside them and carry their books. Not for this particular student. He didn't even ask. He wrote the best that he could with the hand that he didn't usually write with. Nothing was late or missing. The other student took advantage of his situation.
The psalmist confessed that he would never be shaken regardless of what came his way. There was no need. The Lord was with him. The promise that he held onto applies to every believer. When trials come — no matter the intensity, time, or shape — being shaken is unnecessary. But how we respond reveals much about our faith.
If we go about our business in the presence of trials as if it were just another ordinary period — as the student with the broken limb did — our faith will change. Our spiritual walk with the Lord will mature, our faith will develop, and our dependence on God rather than ourselves will get a lift. Trials will turn us more toward God rather than to others or ourselves. We'll remember that we can't handle life on our own. We need more than friends, family, and acquaintances. We need God.
The only other choice is to do what the other student did: milk the system. We can get mad at God for allowing these circumstances into our lives and refuse to spend time with Him in prayer or any other way. We can depend too much on others at the expense of God and perhaps end up in co-dependent relationships. Or we can do nothing and have our own pity party.
Trials test our faith and form our integrity. Tackle the trials that come your way, knowing that God is on your side and is willing and able to help.
Prayer: Father, we thank You that Your strength is enough to enable us to conquer any trial. Amen.
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About the author:
Martin Wiles <mandmwiles@gmail.com>
Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
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Thank-you.
Enjoyed your message today.
Thank you for sharing your heart!
Thanks Martin, blessings to you and your family.
Fave Psalm, # 16! Thanks, Martin, for this encouragement.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
So true. Thank you.
Hope your autumn is as lovely and colourful as ours here.
(Manitoba)
Good morning, Martin,
Thank you for this truth that provides such peace.
God is good.
God bless.
Thank you, Martin, for your very positive and encouraging words today. Yes, we can accomplish so much in life by our faithfulness and gratitude to God.
Having Him at our side gives us the strength to go forward each and every day. Blessings for these very special writings you prepare.
Thank you. Great message as always from you.
A different ‘take’ on a similar situation. I was looking for a theme for worship at two LTC homes and this reminded me of two gentlemen, both bilateral amputees who were night and day. One sunny and always interested in others, the other wrapped in his own misery. The hymn “this little light of mine” burned brightly in one life and was sadly missing in the other.
Good morning, Martin,
It was interesting to see how two students handled their problems and how you related it to our faith journey. Definitely “Trials test our faith and form our integrity.” I appreciate the messages in devotionals which help me to remember to always reach out to God and seek His wisdom. Most times it takes me awhile to remember to do this. God is always there to guide me and comfort me. Thank you for always sharing from your personal experiences. Blessings.
A good challenge, Martin. Thanks.