2 Corinthians 1:3-4

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I have always loved this verse.  It has never ceased to be a source of encouragement and blessing to me as I deal with the day to day issues that surround the melancholy from which I suffer.  But ya know, though it is a great passage it has to be understood within the individual context of our  circumstances for its value to be truly appreciated.

The first thing we need to reflect upon is exactly how God is merciful to us in our affliction.  Of course, the big thing is that it could always be worse than it is or it could be a different and more crippling affliction.  We never understand this until we actually consider the possibility of a greater and more difficult affliction.  I really believe that each persons afflicton is tailor made for their maturity, ability and need.  There are no purposeless afflictions.  Nor are they arbitrary or random.  They are individual and specific to each of us.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Though our " temptation" or more accurately "trial" can be listed in a plethora of trials available, OUR trial is specific to US.  As there are no cooky - cutter blessing and no recipes for endurance, there are no cooky - cutter afflictions.  Each and every affliction is specific to the individual facing it.  Each affliction is "special."

Trials are common to all men but our trial is our trial.  It is packed in with all our "baggage" which gives it that unique flavor.  Because of this a lot of the "encouragement" we're offered sounds terribly hollow.  People lovingly seek to encourage us and it is a kindness but we always have the , "Yes, BUT....." in the back of our minds.  It is, I believe, true that,  " Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows but Jesus."  They may have had a similar experience but MY trouble is MY trouble.  Yes?????

We need to own our trials and know them as well as possible.  They need to be prayerfully examined and not just accepted on face value.  As we examine them we will see the dynamic of the trial...the components and secondary causes and we can then pray with greater wisdom and insight concerning them.  Trust me, ignorant prayers, though acceptable, are not nearly as useful as prayer born out of deep and meaningful reflection.  Especially concerning the trials and afflictions we face.

We do so need wisdom in affliction and we are promised that His wisdom is available for the asking.  BUT when we ask we need to purpose to use it!  It does us no good to ask and receive if we do not plan to do the wisdom work. That means we have to sit down, perhaps with pen and paper, and really consider our affliction within the context of our redemption and our abiding sin.  I fear that this is the only way we can gain a solid and meaningful understanding and  appreciation of the circumstances we find ourselves in.  It ain't magical folks, it all takes our cooperator with the work of the Holy Spirit.  This isn't about "works" but it is about "work."
I'm not done with this passage but will end this at this point to allow you time to prayerfully consider what has been offered here.  I pray that you will grow in knowledge, understanding and appreciation of all God has done, is doing and will do in your life that it will glorify His name and bring peace to your soul.

Michael

Trusting God Today 021314

Trusting God  Today

We all know Jesus' teaching about God's provision for each day.  But do we ever just sit and think that through?  I don't think many of us do.  We're so caught up in the hustle of the everyday that we just let the day go by without reflecting on how He did provide for us.

It's good to take time at the end of the day to reflect back on how the God who in in charge of everything provided for you during the day.  And don't just think about all He gave you - think as well of what you avoided - what might have happened that didn't.

I know we shouldn't engage in "vain repetitions" in prayer and I emphasize the word "vain."  But I often pray, "Just today Lord, help me focus on just today," over and over as I start my day.  So many thing press in upon my heart and mind that if I don't don't do that then I am distracted in the rest of my prayer by things in the future (both real and imagined).

God is the God of eternity - and He is the God of right now as well.  I live in the right now - I hope in eternity.  I fight to keep my focus on my "right now" needs as I go through the day - looking for His hand in events and circumstances.  I want Him to be my God "today," in each moment.

Yes, I  pray over future events and worries but I only know I have this moment and in this moment I want to be trusting Him.  It's surprising how difficult it is to do - or rather how easy it is to not do.

Perhaps that is why we are encouraged to "pray always."  Perhaps it is in keeping this attitude of prayer that we are able to live in each moment of each day more aware of His providence and care.

I hope I'm making some kind of sense.  Brothers and sisters we only have right now and we only have right now to serve Him in and be thankful in.  Should we not take advantage of it?  Should we not seek His help in focusing on today as today unfolds?  How much do we miss when we are so distracted from God in our lives right now?

Today I will trust God for today.  He has promised me eternity and not tomorrow.  So all I have is today in which to serve and honor Him.  Today certainly has enough trouble but it has blessings as well.  I know I won't miss the first and I know I do not want to miss the second.  I pray I may live today - today - and know His work in my life more intimately and consistently.

A critical question and comfort

"Has God weakened your ability to sin, denied you the opportunity, taken away the object of your lust, or diverted your thoughts?  Be sure that you have received mercy in this.  If God had not so dealt with you, you might by now be a terror to yourself, a shame to your family, and under the punishment due to some notorious sin.  You would have incurred additional guilt, perhaps ruined others, or caused some to be eternally ruined by your example.  All this has been prevented by these providences and eternity will witness that this is a special mercy.  These are not accidents.  The merciful hand of God is in them.  And you are less wicked than you would otherwise be."  John Owen

How often do we consider God's providential interference with our flesh?  How often do we, in prayer, thank and praise Him for intruding into our lives so that we can avoid offending Him?

How may times has a lost minute, a traffic light, a phone call, a cable outage, some interruption kept us from sin.

I don't think we consider this very often at all.  But there are no small mercies, no small blessing and this is one that we somehow don't see and certainly we don't give thank for.

Our consciences both spiritual and social may keep us from the "biggies" but it in God's providence none the less.  And when our consciences are diverted, when we are distracted from our service to Him it is His gracious providence that hedges us in, redirects our glance, halts our tongues, stops our train of thought.

When you pray don't forget these mercies, these blessings.  You may not have any specific thing to thank Him for but He knows where He has provided even if you don't.  Praying for those unknown - unseen mercies will bring depth and joy to your prayers.  They will also serve to make your conscience more tender so you will begin to see them and count them wonderful.

Indeed, even when we are unaware, "There but for the grace of God go we."

Intimate insight 003

pray without ceasing;   (1Th 5:17)

This is one of verses that I fear we have kind of blown off.  Usually we find ourselves being taught that it means to have a constant attitude of prayer.  That's good - really good - but I am beginning to believe it means just what it says, "pray without ceasing!"

I don't mean we are to be on our knees 24/7 - although that might be a great and good thing.  But I wonder if we might see it this way:

"As soon as you cease to need God's provision and mercies, you can cease praying."

In our situation we find ourselves praying - and praying a lot.   I had a lunch date with a dear brother today and before I left Patti prayed for it (he and I).

As our needs mount and our resources don't we pray a lot about it.  But our prayer are changing.  Yes, we pray for Him to lead us to jobs - income - medical care and we are doing all the things one does to facilitate that.  Being grown-ups ;-}

But we are finding that He is showing us more and more things that need to be lifted up.  Relational things, depressing things, fear, old thought pattern, old behaviors - just a multitude of things that go along with tough times.

Yes - our favorite prayer if simply, "Help us Lord Jesus!!!"  But since there is a purpose to all He brings into our lives that prayer may be the biggy - but there is a plethora of smaller prayer - more intimate prayers - more "ouch" prayers that we find ourselves praying.  Hence we hardly "cease" from prayer.

We pray for understanding - but we pray to trust Him even if we don't.  We pray for courage when we get that chill up the spine and emptiness in the belly.  We pray whet we get frustrated.  We pray when we notice the slightest blessing ( i there really is such a thing ;-}.

Prayer doesn't cease - oh, it's not an every minute thing but it is an every need and blessing thing.  We go to prayer often - maybe not long - but often.  Even a simple, "Thank You Lord," is a genuine and acceptable prayer.  it thanks Him and acknowledges His faithfulness.

Were not boasting here - our prayer growth began with our realization of our need and weakness to a depth we had never been led to.  So we shamefacedly  encourage you not to wait until your sensed need for prayer - all prayer - presents itself.  Don't wait to pray on the "trip down."  Start praying at every opportunity for every blessing, mercy, lesson and trial and do not forget the small stuff.  For there is no small stuff.

Pray without ceasing - is a great attitude but it is a more importantly a necessary discipline - activity - whatever you want to call it.  

Father - I live so focused on me and big needs that it is so easy for me to not attend to all the blessings - common and uncommon - that You are constantly providing.  Trials are meant to build our faith and our faithfulness and that demands prayer of all kinds at every opportunity.  
Make me sensitive to that and draw me to pray, refusing to see anything too trivial or common to lift up to You - right then - right there.

Amen