Which Fork?

At the heart of an Anne Tyler novel that was suggested for me to read, was a belief that, "If you had the chance, would you go back and take another fork in the road, knowing you would lead an entirely different life?"

If you were to present this question in an interview, my answer would be a simply, "No."

The similarity I have with Anne Tyler is that I am a private person who rarely lets the demands or distractions interfere with family life. My home is a haven, and those whom God has entrusted to me, are protected at all cost and sacrifice.

Life has had many struggles for me however, my qualities and character are shining examples of His magnificence and purpose for all things - good and bad.

No, I would not change a thing. I am the sum total of a road that was either precisely or consequentially taken. All of it has brought me to the present, and an ever increasing closeness to God and awareness of others.

We all have a story, a burden, and a need. However we choose to walk, the ability to keep walking lies in the choices we make. There isn’t a problem too big for God. You decide!

I have a friend who daily faces some of the toughest struggles that any of us collectively would ever have to face. She lives with the knowledge, that at any moment her life can be halted by her precarious physical condition. As I encouraged her on the phone yesterday, I quietly wept as she unzipped her heart. She inspires me to rise above my mediocre thinking. To allow God to do that which He does best, that we may know "the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 1 Tim 1:14

As I read portions of Psalm 46 to my friend, I decided to revisit this Psalm today and pull the verses apart. Every day, I pray for knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. I have never been disappointed. God answers our prayers.

Psalm 46

1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Notice the emphasis on is. An absolute!

2 “Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;”

This verse is describing the great flood. (Gen 7,8)

3 “Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” Selah.

The focus is on the flood. As bad as it could get, God is reminding us, that His position has never changed. At the end of this verse, He places ‘Selah’ – which means to pause and think.

4 “There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.”

The river is fulfilled in Rev 22:1 – New river. The city of God is Jerusalem.

5 “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.”

6 “The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.”

Melted, that is, lost its importance.

7 “The LORD OF HOSTS is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Selah.

8 “Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.”

This is a prophetic verse, concerning Christ.

9 “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.”

This verse is fulfilled, Christ’s Kingdom, in Rev 20:4, 6 & Ezk 39:9

10 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Another prophetic verse, and can be read in Rev 20:4, 6 & Num 24:7 & Isa 2:11, 17

11 “The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Selah.

These Covenant blessings are not meant to be solely looked at, but to be appropriated. Even our Lord Jesus is given to us for our present use. For the most part, we do not make use of Christ as we ought. When we are in trouble, why do we withhold our grief from Him? Has He not a sympathizing heart, and can He not comfort and relieve us? No, we go about to all our friends, save our best Friend, and tell our tale everywhere except into the bosom of our Lord.

Are you burdened with the day's grief or sins? Here is a fountain filled with blood: use it, friend, use it! Has a sense of guilt returned to you? The pardoning grace of Jesus may be proved again and again. Come to Him for cleansing. Do you deplore your weakness? He is our strength: why not lean on Him? Do you feel exposed? Bring your soul closer; put on the robe of Jesus' righteousness. Don’t stand looking at it, but wear it! Strip off your own righteousness and your own fears too: put on the fair white linen, for it was meant to be worn. Do you feel sick? Pull the night-bell of prayer, and call up the Beloved Physician! He will give the cordial that will revive you. Poor, we have "a kinsman, a mighty man of wealth."

Ask Him to give of His abundance, as He has given us this promise, that thou shalt be joint heir with Him, and has made over all that He is and all that He has to be ours.

There is nothing Christ dislikes more than for His disciples to make a show-thing of Him, and not to use Him. He loves to be employed by us. The more burdens we put on His shoulders, the more precious will He be to us.

There are two steps to changing anything in our life. Believing in God’s ability to arm us with all that we need, and by receiving. Until you receive what you believe, you haven’t got it!

Partner with God in everything.

I believe in you!

Deborah