I was fighting a spiritual battle that I can’t really explain, but I knew it was going on. The Lord gave me some good ammunition from His Word. I know as I resist the enemy, and continue to stand firm on the Promises of God, that I can do all things, THROUGH CHRIST who strengthens me. As I obey the Word, I can watch the enemy back off. We fight from the victory, not for the victory.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. AND
Nehemiah 8:10 Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
As I was praying, the Lord allowed me to look into my past. I was a child learning to do things on my own, learning how to ride a bicycle. Someone was showing me how, giving me instructions and wishing that I would learn, and learn fast. I started out with all kinds of help, and protection, training wheels, someone running along side to hold the bike up, and the Grace of God to protect me from serious injuries, we didn’t have helmets back then. Someone was there to pick me up when I fell, and someone took care of the wounds when I crashed.
I thought about all the rules and warnings that go along with just riding a bike. You have to push-off, make sure nobody is in your way, look both ways for cars, be careful, don’t ride in the road, don’t go too fast, go fast enough to keep your balance, remember how to use the brake, don’t take your hands off the handle bars. Growing up is not easy.
next chapter: “I know how to ride now, I have been riding for at least a week without training wheels, I’m a Pro. I know that Mom and Dad warned me about all those things because I wasn’t very good, but now, I can do all things. I am going to ride down the hill, in the road. This is going to be so much fun. I can hardly wait. It is time to push-off, WOW this is great. I am soaring, I don’t even have to worry about the balance . Oh no, here comes a car, what should I do? I guess I will turn into the bushes. OUCH. My bike is messed up. and so am I. Actually I hurt all over, and I really don’t want to tell anyone what I did because I disobeyed my parents. BUT they are sure to find out. They will see the mess I made of the bushes, the wreck my bicycle is in, and the sores, the bleeding sores on my body. BUT, I need a tender touch, so here I go to Mom, with a humble confession. What is Mom going to say? How is she going to punish me for disobeying?”
What a surprise, when Mom seen that I was hurt, she didn’t punish me, but she did ask me one question. “Did you learn anything from this experience?” She immediately loved me better, and took care of my wounded body.
The prodigal son/daughter had returned.
I learned from this look into my past, no matter how smart you think you are, no matter what skills you think you may have, obedience is needed to make it, without getting hurt. What has your Heavenly Father taught you that you are trying to do on your own? What is it? Look around. Are you about to take a fall that you are not ready for? Listen to instructions, follow the advice of others, and maybe you won’t have to pick yourself up after a fall. Chances are, you won’t even experience a fall. But if you do, remember that the Father is waiting with open arms to doctor your wounds, comfort you, and gently ask you “Did you learn anything from this experience? “
James 4:7-9 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.
a note in my bible… The Bible warns us that exalting ourselves will result in a disgraceful fall, but humbling ourselves leads to exaltation in this, and the next world.
Ouch and Amen
