God Rescues

 So many times God has stepped in to my life when I most needed help.

God is our shelter and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble. Ps 46:1 GNB

I was recovering from a very serious mental breakdown and I was teaching a class  when I was still not very well. Without warning I had a panic attack in front of my class. The students saw the distress on my face and burst out laughing. I remember one young man doubled over and laughing hilariously as he left the room. I quickly recovered my composure and told the class to take a 15 minute break.

I went into the next room and cried out to God for help. I asked Him for inspiration to teach a good lesson after the break. I immediately had a good idea and went on to teach an excellent lesson. The students calmed down and responded as if nothing had happened. At the end of the course the students showed enthusiastic appreciation.

When I met my wife, I knew that I wanted to marry her. But only a few weeks later I was made redundant and lost my job. I had no job and no income. Then I got some casual work for a few hours a week. That increased and increased and by the end of the year I was working full time again.

Two years later the teachers’ union won a court case for the teachers who had been laid off and I received $20,000 in back pay.

Then I applied for a promotion. I didn’t think I had a chance but a colleague encouraged me to apply. I spent two sleepless nights writing my application and took my draft to a secretarial service. The application was faxed at 4.55 pm, just before 5 pm, the rigid deadline. I was amazed when I got the promotion and the pay rise.

Some colleagues said my application was late but I checked at the office. The fax arrived less than one minute before the deadline.

God says, “I will save those who love me
and will protect those who acknowledge me as LORD.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
when they are in trouble, I will be with them.
I will rescue them and honour them. Ps 91:14-15 GNB

God is Thinking about You

 Are you stuck? Are your thoughts going round in circles? Your repeated prayers of confession don't change anything. Have you asked God what he thinks about it?

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

God is thinking about you every minute. God is the creator and author of all things. His thoughts rule the universe, but he is not overwhelmed by it all. He still thinks about you every minute.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

Perhaps you are already familiar with this verse. You know that God loves all people, but in God's heart you are not just a specimen of humanity. You are you. God loves you.

Have you already entrusted your life to Jesus? Maybe you still think of yourself as an unworthy sinner who seeks God's mercy from far away, but God thinks differently. Jesus hung stark naked on the cross. He endured the shame to abolish your shame.

Perhaps you have not yet surrendered your life into God's hands. You are still a sinner in God's eyes, but still dearly loved. God thinks of you with love. He wants to adopt you and love you as his own child.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Mt 11:28 NASB95

Are you stuck? Are your thoughts going round in circles? Your repeated prayers of confession don't change anything. Have you asked God what he thinks about it?

God wants to tell you his thoughts.

‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jer 29:12–13 NASB95

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jer 33:3 NASB95

Finding New Strength

 Sometimes you get exhausted. You are overwhelmed. It's just too much. You've run out of energy. You can no longer find your drive.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. Is 40:29–30 NLT

The eagle is unique. Eagles can live up to a hundred years. Over the years, their feathers become old and worn. They can no longer fly well.

They withdraw and perch on a mountain top. Then they moult. They lose their old feathers and gain new ones. Without feathers, they can be vulnerable, but they find a safe remote place and wait until they are strong again.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Is 40:31 NLT

With new feathers they are strong again, but even then they do not fly like other birds. They often glide like a glider.

Jesus said that the source of our strength is the Holy Spirit. Jesus is God, but as a man on earth he relied on the Holy Spirit.

Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.

So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” Jn 3:6–8 NLT

A truly converted Christian receives a completely new life through the Holy Spirit, but it is not enough to be born again by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is not just there to save us. He is our companion, our guide and our strength, just like in the life of Jesus on earth.

Are you so overwhelmed that you can't find time for a day of rest?

Withdraw for a time, a few days, a few hours or if that is just not possible, for a few minutes. Focus your thoughts on the presence of God around you and also within you. Perhaps you can place your hand on your chest. This is not only your chest, but also the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, who loves you immeasurably.

If you have problems sleeping, pray for help and don't be afraid to seek medical help. Lack of sleep can do terrible damage.

Look at your routine. Are you just trying to do too much? Are you trying to please other people? What apparent duties are just not absolutely necessary?

You are called to do what God calls you to do, not what other people want you to do. Learn to say no.