Because of Who He is

"I love you, LORD;

you are my strength.

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;

my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.

He is my shield, the power that saves me,

and my place of safety.

I called on the LORD, who is worthy of praise,

and he saved me from my enemies."

Psalm 18:1-3 NLT

God is worthy to be praised.  It is easy to extol His virtues after a successful rescue mission, or when He protects me from harm, or on the occasion of witnessing a work of His mighty hand.  

If I believe He is so great, however, I can choose to always give Him praise, as if I believe I am already saved, guarded, and delivered, even before I am.  Yes, I can praise Him at all times because of who He is.

Rock.  The door to the barn shifted in the bitter cold Northerly.  As big as it was, rising 15 feet up, it's weight was no match for such a strong wind.  I found some large boulders nearby that would do the job of shoring up the door for the next storm.  Heavy as they were, these rocks would not be moved by any force of nature.

Stones have that reputation.  They are used as paperweights to keep light sheets from blowing off the desk, or can be fashioned into a foundation for a house, or can even stand as a landmark for generations to use to find their way.  A rock is going to stay in place even when mighty trees could be uprooted by strong gusts or heavy rains.

God is this rock.  He's unmovable.  He doesn't change (James 1:17).  He isn't susceptible to suggestion (Isaiah 40:13).  God is solid and dependable (Numbers 23:19).  For this reason, I can take refuge in Him.  Despite what is going on around me, I can always find Him right where I left Him.  I can believe He is there even if I don't sense His presence because He is my solid, unwavering rock.

When everything is swirling around me and I don't know which way is up, I can stand on this firm foundation, gaining my bearings once again.  When I begin to sink down into the pit of despair, feeling hopeless and discouraged, I can step up onto this solid pillar of strength, finding firm footing again.  When I'm confused and unsure, like I'm wandering through a wilderness of uncertainty, I can look for Him as a beacon of guidance, knowing I will find Him in His steadfastness.

I can praise God because He is my solid Rock.

Fortress.  The wind was relentless up on top of the mountain.  While the view was gorgeous, all of Puget Sound laid out before me, the bitter cold was made worse by the gusts blowing right through my clothes.  I made my way to the stone tower, hoping to find some shelter.  As soon as I stepped inside the solid structure, I was surprised how much warmer it felt.  I had found a fortress against the storm.

Life is like a storm, relentlessly pounding against me, wearing me down.  In such an environment, I need shelter.  I need a fortress that will protect me from harm.  I need a refuge where I will be safe.

God is that fortress.  No matter what happens in this world, I can find security in Him.  His solid nature can guard my mind from confusion, providing a refuge from the tantalizing lies I am tempted to adopt as truth.  His protecting Spirit keeps me from bearing too strong a temptation, giving me a way out in His mercy (1 Corinthians 10:13).

I can praise God because He is my Fortress.

Deliverer.  When I went through Lifeguard training, one of the important skills I learned was how to escape from an aggressive victim.  Those who are trying to save themselves, thrashing around in desperation, make for a dangerous rescue because they can take the rescuer down with them.  For this reason, a lifeguard prefers to help someone who knows their need for help and has surrendered to the lifesaver's efforts.   

It's the same with me and Jesus.  I am unable to help myself, but that doesn't always stop me from trying.  Before I can be saved, however, I must realize my need for a Savior.  If I don't think I'm in jeopardy or danger, or believe that I can somehow save myself, I won't see my need to be delivered nor will I make a good candidate for saving.  It is necessary for me to feel the weight of my sin in order to truly appreciate what Jesus did for me on the cross, but it's also important that I fully give into His rescue plan, trusting fully in Him as my Deliverer.

Sometimes I think I'm partially responsible for my own deliverance, like I can play some kind of role in my own rescue.  In reality, God is the only One who is able to deliver me from the punishment of my own sins.  After all, I am unable to meet His perfect standard as is required to enter into His holy presence (Romans 3:23).  I need the blood of Jesus to save me from the wrath of God my sins have brought down upon myself (Romans 6:23).  Trying to take part in my own salvation is even more ridiculous than me thinking I can save myself when I'm drowning.

Other times I feel guilty for letting Him bear such a load so I attempt to take some of the burden back until I cry, "I can't take this anymore!"  I can even get the idea that I can help myself this time, thinking that I'll let God handle the next crisis, until I buckle under the pressure of trying to be my own savior.

I can praise God because He is my Deliverer.

I don't have to wait until God comes through.  Instead, I can praise Him now for what He is always doing on my behalf, honoring Him as my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer.  I can always worship Him for who He is, not just what He's done.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can praise God in the midst of the storm, giving Him accolades for who He is.

When do I withhold praise until things turn out the way I want?

How am I guilty of only worshiping God for what He has done for me instead of admiring His character and attributes?          

Method for Coping

"Hezekiah received the letter 

from the messengers and read it.

Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD."

2 Kings 19:14

Things looked bad.  Israel had already fallen to this arrogant aggressor and now he had set his sights on Judah.  All of her fortified cities were already under siege so it was time for Sennacherib, king of Assyria, to turn toward Jerusalem, attempting to sway the people's hearts away from their faithful leader.  If they turned against their own king, surely Judah would fall just as Israel did.

Instead of panicking or seeking advice from his advisers or attempting to further appease his enemy, Hezekiah chose a wise method of coping of which I can take as an example for hard times in my own life.

Go.  There are many sources to which I can turn in times of trouble.  There are people rich with insight and common sense who are ready and willing to dispense great counsel.  I also have many shrewd resources at my disposal which can be consulted in times of need.  Furthermore, I'm never at a loss to discover new findings from the latest scientific research that can provide fresh understanding into the root of my struggles.

Still, Hezekiah demonstrated the wisest action that can be taken in difficult times: Going to the Lord.  God is the only true Counselor.  No other source boasts wisdom that can ever compare.  Even the most insightful research is no match for the understanding that comes from the One who made me.

When I place all my eggs in His basket, expecting to receive the best answers from Him, He is faithful and generous in dispensing true wisdom.  (James 1:5-8)  There is really no other action which makes sense for me to take in hard times.  Still, I often fail to take such a simple step as running to my Father for help.

Just as Hezekiah went to the Lord, so I can make Him the foundation of my coping strategy for difficult times.

Unguarded.  I'm used to putting up a front, showing others what I think I should convey instead of being honest with how I actually feel.  Therefore, when it comes to the One who knit me together and knows each word before it even leaves my tongue, I tend to take the same tack. (Psalm 139:1-6) I find myself saying what I think is the right answer instead of telling Him how I really feel.  I often give Him platitudes instead of brutal honesty.  It feels better to say what I think He wants to hear instead of speaking the unbridled truth which could hurt His feelings.  

Thankfully, God is big enough to take my harshest criticism, to hold up under my biggest doubts and to stand firm even when I feel like I'm sliding into a dark abyss.  He is my Father who cherishes my deepest, darkest thoughts.  Even though He already knows what is going on inside of me, He prefers that I willingly share such intimacy with Him.

Just as Hezekiah laid everything bare before the Lord, so I can live transparently as I go through times that break my heart and strain my faith.

Glorified.  When I'm at a loss of what to do, it's natural for me to explore every possible avenue, making a list of pros and cons and choosing the solution that seems best for my situation.  It's easy to come up with my own plan of action when times get tough.  Often, I think doing something is better than waiting around for my life to completely fall apart.  It feels good to take positive action, doing what I think will help to turn my life around.

Unfortunately, anything I do under my own steam will only serve to draw attention to myself or the brilliance of mankind.  If, however, I waited on the Lord, looking to Him as the only way out of a tight place, He will get all the glory.  When God is allowed to deal with an issue in the way only He can, others will see that He alone is God.  When I limit Him by giving Him only partial dominion over my situation, not only will I be robbed of witnessing His amazing hand at work, but I will steal His glory.

Just as Hezekiah desired all the world to know that the Lord alone is God, so I can let God do as only He can in order to make the most of His name in all the earth.

My methods for coping are often self-destructive and not at all healthy.  When Hezekiah was in deep trouble, facing a conquering marauder who had the gall to mock the living God, this godly king demonstrated a great way of handling stress.  He went directly to the Lord, laying everything bare before Him and desiring nothing more than for all of mankind to know the might of the One True God.  His way of coping gives me an excellent example of how to handle trouble in my own life.  In fact I would say there is no better technique for managing stress.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will remember to run to God when the going gets tough.

How do I leave God as my last resort when times get hard?

When do I hide my true feelings from the One who loves me perfectly?     

He Holds Me Together

"On my bed I remember you;

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because you are my help,

I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I cling to you;

your right hand upholds me."

Psalm 63:6-8

It seemed as if there was no purpose, no reason for the suffering.  Everything looked like it was falling apart; my life suddenly appeared as if it were a series of tragic mistakes with every door that appeared before me slamming in my face.  What was I to do?  Where was I to go to find help?  Did anybody care?  Where was this God who had claimed to love me?

My family recently sold every stick of furniture in order to move across the country so we could help my dad in his time of need.  When we arrived at our destination, we felt like Abram, going to the land where God had called us without knowing our exact destination. (Genesis 12:1)  I expected God to make our paths straight, however, setting everything up to prepare us for a smooth transition.  

As is to be expected with a God whose ways are far superior to mine, He had something else in mind.  As we lived the lives of the homeless for nearly two weeks, I wondered if we were fools to give up everything; our home, our security, our friends, and recklessly set out on this venture without a plan, without having everything set in stone before we left.  We believed God had the plan and was faithful to provide, but my eyes were telling me a different story.  What kind of a plan was this?

Thankfully, God is God no matter what I go through.  Consequently, when it seems like everything is falling apart, He is still there holding me together. It just takes eyes of faith to be able to remember the truth when my difficult circumstances obscure it from my perception.

Plan.  God's plan is not diminished by my crummy situation or difficult state of affairs.  When I focus on the problems that overwhelm, my life seems like nothing more than a big cosmic joke.  As I flounder through each day, each blow solidifies my belief that life is simply a series of random acts with no purpose.

When I turn my attention back toward the Maker of heaven and earth, reminding myself of His great and good plan for my life, I remember He takes every heartache, every struggle and every tragedy and works it together for my good. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, Romans 8:28) He take the ashes and turns them into beauty.  In His mighty and gracious hands the grief is transformed into joy.  Where I perceive nothing but ruins He brings about restoration.  (Isaiah 61:3-4)

When it seems like everything is falling apart, His plan is not diminished one bit by my lack of faith.

Love.  No matter how difficult my life becomes, His love still sustains me.  Trouble is, I tend to hold a low view of love, thinking His compassion for me will lead me through nothing but green pastures and beside quiet streams.  I focus more on my comfort, desiring to live a pampered life free from difficulty.  When the inevitable trials come, it gives me the idea that God doesn't love me anymore, that He doesn't care enough to shield me from heartache and pain.

The truth is that there is nothing that can separate me from His love: the potholes of life, the sorrow of death, the fear that grips my heart or the anxiety about what is to come.  None of these things or any other power on earth or below it can take me away from His great love for me.  (Romans 8:28-29)

When it seems like everything is falling apart, God's love for me is not lost by my lack of faith. (Psalm 100:5)

Hope.  The one thing I always have through Christ Jesus is hope.  If this life was all there was, it would truly be hard to carry on.  Thankfully, through faith in Christ, I have eternity with Him to look forward to. (1 Corinthians 15:19)

Therefore, when it seems like there is no rhyme or reason to my life, I can remember the place being prepared just for me where I will experience true fulfillment and belonging. (John 14:1-3)  When my life is marked with much suffering and pain, I can keep my eyes on the prize of heaven which will make the struggle worth it.  (Philippians 3:14)  When I am surrounded by trouble, I can keep my eyes fixed on Jesus who endured far worse for my sake.  (Hebrews 12:1-4)

When it seems like everything is falling apart, the hope I have in Christ Jesus is never gone even when my faith falters.

One thing I can count on in this life is trouble.  Despite the difficult seasons I must endure, God's plan is never diminished, His love is not lost, and the hope I have in Christ is never gone.  Even when I feel otherwise, the truth tells me a different story.  He always holds me together and this time is no different.  Will I trust Him with today's trouble?

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I will give God a chance to work through my circumstances.

When do I despair based on what I see instead of rejoicing in what I cannot see but is no less real?

How do I fail to walk by faith?