(11.12..20—Getting Out Of God’s Way!--Job 7:19-20)
My friend, may I ask you a question? Is that how you feel sometimes when life goes bad; like a walking target and you really don’t want to attract attention?
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.
I’m M. Clifford Brunner?
Many years ago I owned two vehicles that I drove to work in; one a truck, rusted and pretty beat-up and the other an old Corvair, restored and pretty nice to look at. I drove the Corvair most of the time since it got better gas mileage, was more fun to drive and, frankly, there’s was a bit of pride involved as well. However, there were times that, despite the efficiency and fun, I felt compelled to take the old truck and leave the Corvair parked at home in the garage. The weathers often a factor but there was one other important consideration. In a sense the Corvair was a target; or at least I felt like that sometimes. It seemed to attract attention, perhaps in a rough neighborhood, and if I was parking where I really don’t want to attract attention, I took the truck.
Is that how you feel sometimes when life goes bad; like a walking target not wanting to attract attention?
Here’s a story: Everybody has difficulty in life, but Brian Hise of Provo, Utah recently experienced more difficulty than any human being should have on a single day. First, a water pipe broke in the upstairs apartment above his own and flooded his apartment. So the manager told him to go out and rent a water vacuum. That’s when he discovered his car had a flat tire. He changed the tire and went inside to phone a friend for help. Standing in the water, the electric shock he got from the phone startled him and he ripped the phone off the wall. Before he could leave the apartment a second time, a neighbor had to kick down his apartment door because water damage had jammed it tight. While all of this was going on, somebody stole Brian’s car. That evening he injured himself severely when he somehow sat down on a knife. Doctors were able to stitch up his wounds but no one was able to resuscitate Brian's four canaries that were crushed to death when wet ceiling plaster in his apartment fell on them while he was gone. When he got home, he slipped on the wet car- pet and injured his tailbone. Mr. Hise said he began to wonder if “God wanted me dead but kept missing.”
Ever had days you felt that way? I recall an Old Testament character that felt the same way. After suffering hardship upon hardship, listen to these words of Job: “Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target?” (Job 7:19-20a, NIV) We know that Job was not “targeted” by God. In truth, God was his source of strength in time of trial and his Redeemer when the story was over. In the midst of adversity, when everything seems to be going wrong that possibly could go wrong, it’s tempting to feel targeted. Be assured – God has not made you a “target.” You needn’t ever be afraid of attracting His attention. He is, in fact, your source of strength to get through those tough times; may you rely on that today.
We pray. Heavenly Father. We know that You are our source of strength in time of trial and our Redeemer when life gets really tough. Yet Lord we often feel like a target of your discipline when things keep going wrong. We feel alone, burdened and overwhelmed by trials and sorrows. Forgive us Father when our faith is weak and we lose sight of Your grace and mercy. Help us not to feel targeted when everything seems to be going wrong that possibly could go wrong. Let us look to Your grace and mercy for the assurance that we needn’t ever be afraid of attracting Your attention; because you are the source of strength in our lives to get through those tough times. May we always rely on that holy truth. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.