Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each of us sees God differently,
according to our experience with Him, our need at the moment, or the things
that currently captivate us.
This doesn't mean He changes, like
shifting sand. It means that He meets every need where we are at any given moment
in time. It isn't necessary, nor even desirable that we all see Him the same
way. What is necessary and desirable, is that we see Him and that we see Him as
the source and supply for every need.
- So, what is it that you need? Strength? Guidance? Friendship? Health? All of these are available, if only we would see Him as our source. The relationship Jesus came to give us, in the covenant He established, provides for these and more.
The problem always comes down to
one thing: how we see Him. This is why, on at least one occasion, Jesus asked
His followers, "Who do you say that I am?"
It's an important question,
especially when we're hearing a lot of opinions about Him. The truth is, is if
we do not see Him as necessary or vital, He will not be.
We all go astray in this.
It was true back in the day
of Isaiah. In chapter 53 of his writings, we read (verse 6), "All of us like sheep
have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way..." (NAS).
And it is still
true.
We go bouncing along in the business
of life and suddenly, we don't even know what hits us, but we're out of the ballpark.
How much more true today than it
was a few thousand years ago, we can only guess. We are bombarded constantly
with bad news, with ugly reports, with horrific events, with assaults against
our morality, our intellect, our peace, our faith. We are steadily immersed in
a sea of the way mankind without God lives. We look for models within church
buildings and we find forms of godliness.
- Maxx Lucado writes: "Sin sees the world with no God in it...a godless attitude leads to godless actions...the sinful mind dismisses God...his counsel goes un-consulted; his opinion, unsolicited."
If we do not see Him, we may not be
looking, for in the midst of all the world and its troubles, He has promised
never to leave us or forsake us. He will be there for us to turn to, if we only
will. When we want to turn and run, if we run to Him, He will turn us around
and tell us to stand. He will be our strong tower and our shield. We will look
for those who oppressed us and we won't be able to find them.
Isaiah 41:10'Do not fear, for I am
with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen
you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right
hand.' 11"Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and
dishonored; Those who contend with you will be as nothing and will perish.
12"You
will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war
with you will be as nothing and non-existent.…(NASB)
