Desperation

So, Satan tempted me through someone else today by suggesting I ‘be desperate’ about what is a very serious situation, no doubt, but the hardest learned lessons tend to be well earned lessons. And I’ve learned not to give in to desperation, and surely not to act in desperation.  In this particular trial I’m speaking of, it was hard to recognize it for what it was (I was being deceived after all), while I was in such a desperate state, but after I cried out for help, and God delivered me from the situation, I was able to see how I got there, so that I could manage future situations that would force me to act rashly and dangerously. 

Desperate- adj. 1a:  having lost hope b:  giving no ground for hope 2a:  moved by despair b:  involving or employing extreme measures in an attempt to escape defeat or frustration 3:  suffering extreme need or anxiety 4:  involving extreme danger or possible disaster; despondent (m-w.com)

In my experience, definition 1a lead me to definition 1b.  The root of desperation is hopelessness, which has no place in the life of a believer anyway, because we know that we have hope in God (Ps 25:3; 33:18-19; 62:5; 130:5; 146:5; 147:11; Isa 40:31; Jer 29:11; Ro 5:1-5; 8:24-25; 1Th 5:8; 1Ti 4:10; 6:17; Heb 10:23; 11:1). 

Jesus instructs us to be on guard of anxiety as an enemy (Lk 21:34; Pr 12:25).  It’s a trap!  We’re commanded not to be anxious and to cast our anxiety on God -in prayer- because he cares for us (Php 4:6; 1Pe 5:7).  Prayer is how we combat anxiety. I can testify to the importance of being on the watch and praying because the single most factor that shaped my negative thinking and allowed me to so easily give in during my test was:  a lack of vigilance (Lk 21:36).

(See post titled ‘Be Anxious for Nothing’) 

Make no mistake about it believers.  Unbelievers (and some Pharisaic ‘believers’) are watching how you react to situations that may seem desperate to them.  And thankfully God is watching even closer (Heb 4:13).  Stand strong under tests, trusting in the Lord and his holy word, so that you may have a testimony of victory, and so that God may get the glory.  Keep your hope in Him.

My Apologies

My apologies readers for not posting in a couple of weeks, but there have been big changes in my schedule, which requires so much more of my time. So, to be fair to you all, and to make my posting goal more reachable, I’ll be posting at least every two weeks now.

I thank you for your readership and your patience with me as I try to manage some pretty major changes in my life (a new day job, and everything that comes with it), and try my best to continue to glorify God with the talents that he’s entrusted me with.

Shalom!

Peace, first of all, is granted by God, and secondly, as a reward for obedience (Lev 26:3, 6).

There’s no peace -only fear of punishment- for the disobedient because of the lack of the intimate presence of God, who is love (Hab 1:13; 1 Jn 4:18). But for those who have either obeyed or truly repented for their disobedience, we’ve been freed from the yoke of slavery to sin (which results in death) and we’re ‘enabled to walk with heads held high’ to serve our Lord unhindered (Lev 26:13; Ro 6:23; Gal 5:1, 13).  

Throughout the Old Testament there’s an ebb and flow of the people of Israel enjoying peace and prosperity because of their obedience to God (and often His leaders), and suffering from death, lack, and destruction because of their disobedience (from Judges to 2 Chronicles; Jn 10:10). (Remember:  Although the Lord is merciful and long-suffering, there’ll be a Day of Judgment for all of us where we’re given the wages of all that we’ve done on earth, whether good or bad [2 Pe 3:9; 2 Co 5:10; Ac 3:19].)  

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’ (Ro 15:13).  

(See:  Nu 6:26; 25:12; Dt 20:10; Jdg 3:11, 30; 5:31; 6:24; 8:28; 1Sa 7:14; 2Sa 10:19; 1Ki 2:33; 1Ch 22:9; Job 22:21; Ps 29:11; 119:165; Pr 16:7; Isa 9:6; 26:3; 54:10; Jer 30:10; Mt 5:9; Jn 14:27; Ro 1:7; 2:10; 5:1; 8:6; 1Co 14:33; Gal 5:22; Eph 2:14; 6:15; Php 4:7; Col 1:20; 3:15; 1Th 5:33; 2Th 3:16; Heb 13:20; Jas 3:17; 1Pe 3:11)