Keep Your Eye on the Ball – Part 1
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness [Lamentations 3:21-23].
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of these tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
I’ve had my fair share of personal tragedies in my lifetime. In fact I’d venture to say that I’ve endured some of yours too! Some of these tragedies were difficult, not to understate the matter. Others were excruciating, in some ways crippling me for life.
Often I’ve looked around and wondered why I have to face so many trials, so many insurmountable obstacles. Why, Lord, can’t you let someone else enjoy them for a while? Why me, Lord? I didn’t volunteer to be a punching bag. I don’t qualify for the “He-man of the Year” award, that I should be considered strong enough to bear such a multitude of beatings! Why me?
You know, the longer I carried on suchlike verbiage, the worse off I became. It never failed. When I crawled on my belly and whined incessantly, things only became worse. And here I thought they couldn’t get any worse! Nothing constructive ever comes of pity parties, dear friends. And if they’re not constructive, guess what? They’re destructive! This is why things only got worse when I employed that approach. It is destructive.
But you know, there is much more to be garnered from these observations. When I whined to the Lord and felt sorry for myself—and it doesn’t matter whether or not, or how much, truth was involved in my complaints—but when I behaved in such a fashion, I had my eyes fixed on the problems and on myself. This is known in Biblical parlance as walking by sight. I determined reality based on what my eyes told me was real.
If anyone ever had real trials and tribulations to endure, Jeremiah sure qualified! He was badgered and beaten and abused pretty much his entire adult life, and this by his own countrymen. In fact the citizens of his own town, Anathoth, were the worst lot amongst his antagonists. You would think he could at least catch a break in his hometown!
Jeremiah had to bring the Word of the Lord to the Israelites during one of the most depraved periods in their history. Consequently they were about as virulent and vengeful as any apostate people could ever be. They contemned Jeremiah for speaking the true words of God because the Lord condemned them for their outrageous sinning, and they had no intentions of repenting!
Oh, dear. Out of time again. We will continue this topic on the morrow. Enjoy some time alone with Jesus now, why don’cha?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Joshua: Volume 6 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
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