Tuesday, May 19, 2020

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 13 - "Tunnel"



This morning God took me Psalm 13....


This Psalm is one David wrote when he was tired of feeling like an enemy was winning. He was lamenting to God about how long it was going to be before this time with his enemy was over. I can relate to the way David felt in this Psalm. The question of 'when is it going to be over?' shows David knows it will be over. It shows he had hope of an end in sight. He knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Third Day sings a song called Tunnel that encourages me to not give up hoping in the Lord.

There's a light at the end of this tunnel
There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
And there's a light at the end of this tunnel
Shining bright at the end of this tunnel for you, for you
So keep holding on


The key to being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel is to allow God to carry you through such times. The song continues...

You got your disappointments and sorrows
You ought to share the weight of that load with me
Then you will find that the light of tomorrow
Well it brings new life for your eyes to see


As we allow Him to empower us through such times we will realize He is in control no matter what happens. He is there to encourage us through the 'tough' days of life. He is OK with us asking the question 'how long?' It doesn't upset Him for us to lament. In fact, I believe He expects it from us. He created us and knows we have emotions. He also knows when we go through 'tough' times we can go deeper in our faith with Him. He knows as we stand upon II Timothy 1:7 we will be choosing His strength through the Holy Spirit instead of living out our own strength. David was feeling abandon in Psalm 13 but we never need to feel that way. God promised us He will always be with us. We need to take that promise to heart. We have been in Beaufort almost four years. One of the reasons we came here was because of the need for a building for the church. No one would have ever thought we would still not be in a building after this time. But God knew. He knows everything. Nothing surprises Him. There is a reason for everything that happens. There is a reason the electric subcontractor has not came to complete his part of the project. I do not know the reason but I do know we cannot give up now. I do not understand why pancreatic cancer has taken over my husband's body and pulled him from doing physical work. But I do understand that God has not abandon us. Now, more than ever, is a time we as a church body need to pull together and be strong in our faith. We need to pray for God to reveal open doors and to close ones that need closed. There is a reason things have happened as they have. We may not like it but God's timing is best. We may not understand it but we will get into the building when He desires. Perhaps there is a lesson we need to learn or there is a blessing coming that we need to wait for. I don't know but I do know He has a plan and we must not give up. It would be so easy to say 'I'm done' and walk away but that is not God's desire. He wants us to persevere and continue to allow Him to use us through these 'tough' days. There is coming a time where we will be worshiping in the building God has provided for us. He would not have brought us this far just for us to fail. He wants us to draw nearer to Him and trust Him. I truly believe we are at the point where there is a light at the end of the tunnel and we just need to keep walking in forward progress. We may 'stall' from time to time but we should be use to that by now. We've had many times such as this. We have a choice to make. We can either throw our hands in the air and give up or we can press on. We can either allow God to continue to work in His time or we can manipulate situations. We can either keep with God or we can allow the enemy to win. I pray all of us will choose God over the enemy. I pray God will continue to encourage us on this road. I also am confident He will as we allow Him. 

Dear Jesus,  
Thank You for the words of encouragement of Psalm 13! Thank You for showing me how David lamented yet he never quit having hope in You! Thank You for the encouragement we receive through You! Father, our church body is tired but I pray for each one of us to press into You in a more intentional way. I pray for You to encourage us as we continue this process of getting into the building. We pray You will provide workers to complete projects. We ask for forward progress to be seen sooner than later. Lord, we need to see Your will revealed in many areas of our life. I continue to pray for the spiritual needs of all of us. May You become more real to all. I also continue to pray for our pastor's healing from this pancreatic cancer. We need him to be the leader You called him to be here in Beaufort. The distraction of this disease is overwhelming and needs gone. Lord, continue to encourage all of us through these 'tough' days. I pray for Your encouragement to overwhelm people today. I also continue to pray for the financial needs we are facing. Thank You Father for being Our Light At The End of The Tunnel! Amen.

 

No comments: