When disappointment strikes deeply it is time to seek after the God and Saviour who is the only one in control of your life.  Even disappointment cannot halter or hinder the Sovereign hand of God from guiding and delivering His own.  In 1^st Samuel 29:8 reading to Ch. 30:6 God actually uses disappointment, rejection and complete disillusionment in David’s heart and circumstances to bring recovery, victory and blessing.  In the hands of God disappointment and rejection was used t0 get David back to where he should have been – Ziklag. Even his despair was transformed into a hunger to seek God for a victory no one would have predicted.   

 David is rejected in Ch. 29:8 declaring that most famous of phrases, “But what have I done [to deserve this]”. David is devastated at discovering his home destroyed and all the women and children taken captive (Ch. 30:1-4).  David is isolated and crushed when his own men turn on him and threaten to kill him (Ch. 30:6). On the other hand all of this placed him exactly where he needed to be so that he could to do exactly what needed to be done to get exactly the right result for everyone.  When disaster strikes the believer must literally, “Trust in the Lord with all [their] HEART and lean not unto [their] own understanding [and] in all [that is going on] acknowledge [His power and ability to perfectly deliver and direct]”. See Proverbs 3:5-6.

God actually used disappointment to get David thinking right (Ch. 30:6-8), to get David moving in the right direction (Ch. 30 9-10) and get David the right result for him, those dear to him and everyone that relied on him (Ch. 30 18-20). Not all things are good but God can literally make all things fall into place for good no matter what the original intention was (Romans 8:28). 

Putting your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ when you are experiencing disappointment automatically sets the stage for deliverance (Proverbs 3:25-26).  Put God in charge of tragedy and He will perfectly, beautifully and mightily lead you to triumph. There are two sides to every success story:

David cried, “But what have I done” (Ch. 29:8).

David “…wept until he had no more power to weep…” (Ch. 30:4).

David “…was greatly distressed…” (30:6).

However:

David “…encouraged himself in the Lord…” (Ch. 30:6).

David “…inquired at the Lord…” (Ch. 30:8).

David “…went [and] pursued…” (Ch. 30:10).

David “…smote…recovered…rescued…and took all…” (Ch30: 18-20).

David proved that disappointment may shout loud and long in your heart and mind but trust in the Lord and He will have the last say. As experienced by a multitude of Bible characters even as things quite literally kept going from bad to worse in David’s life God was actually bringing him closer to a great victory with every second that past. Pray, claim and believe that your steps are ordered (directed and established) by the Lord no matter who or what tries to dictate and take command (Proverbs 37:23).  The secret is not to get bitter but to get deeper (James 5:8).    

Study Acts 18: 7-18 and see how the Lord Jesus Christ imposes His sovereign hand when His promises to Paul (verses 9&10) seem to be completely contradicted by the sinister run of events (v.12-13) As indicated Paul’s enemies found to their cost that it is not who has the loudest say but who has the final say that counts (v. 18). I challenge the reader to study this passage and discover how not one of Christ’s promises are broken. Hallelujah! Deal with but do not dwell on disappointment. Trust in a Saviour who knows what you need before you ask (Matthew 6:8) and will answer your call for help while you are yet speaking (Isaiah 65:24; Daniel 9:23; Daniel 10:12).

Must reads: Psalm 55:12-17; Psalm 56:1-13; Psalm 59:6-9; Romans 8: 35-39 (v31); Matthew 7:7-12.

Every time something good happens to somebody else in terms of ministry or some significant blessing our human nature cries out for something sudden and wonderful to happen to us.  The truth is, however, there is always a story to be told and a well trodden path to be followed that leads to the “moment” of victory.  There is no such thing as “suddenly”.  Nothing just happens, appears or suddenly moves forward.  The difficulty is that most of us do not recognise that mighty and wonderful hand of God “…making all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28) irrespective of whoever or whatever the issues are. 

It is time to stop wishing your life away waiting for something to happen and recognise that it has already started.  If you were a David always wanting to be a warrior for God what would your attitude have been when asked to watch a few sheep, play a harp, and practice with a sling shot when all you ever really wanted was to be a warrior with his own sword and battle to fight?  David’s chance came suddenly but his preparation was meticulous. Read: 1 Samuel chapter 16 &17. 

In Malachi 3:1 we read, “…the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple…”. Dear believer the Lord may appear in an instant first in grace and then in judgement but not out off a whim but as the result of meticulous divine planning and timing.  There is no such thing as suddenly.

In the gospel of Luke 2:13 the word declares that, “ …suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts”.  They may have appeared in an instant but they were part of a precisely planned crescendo designed by God Himself to celebrate the birth of His dear Son.  There are no last minute adjustments with God. There is no such thing as suddenly.

In the account of the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:2 we read that, “…suddenly there came a sound from Heaven like a rushing mighty wind”.  Was this not however the reason why Jesus came, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send Him unto you”, (John 16:7).  This was no surprise, this was not an afterthought it was the perfect plan of God unfolding without hic-up or hindrance.  There is nothing that happens suddenly and out of the blue in God’s Kingdom.

As Paul travelled to Damascus with murderous intent, there seemed to be none either willing or able to stop him, “…suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven…”, Acts 9:3.  Did Jesus panic feeling the need to intervene? Christ’s statement in v5 and Paul’s total surrender and submission in v6 tells a clear story.  It reveals a deep and drawn out process in which Paul had been convicted and challenged no matter how hard he tried to “kick” against the tug of the Holy Spirit.  There is no such thing as suddenly.

Wake up leader wake up believer for God is leading you to a “suddenly” in every issue of life and ministry.  Very young children draw one dimensionally.  There is no real sense of depth be it a character or a scene.  Big people with skill draw in 3 dimensions.  In fact the accomplished artist whether sketching or painting will draw in a manner that seems to lead nowhere to the inexperienced eye.  A line here a little shading in somewhere else and “suddenly” there is a face, a tree, a clear picture forming from apparently nothing.  Have you ever noticed how an artist gets a full 3 dimensional effect by simply shading one or two obscure parts of a picture?  The unskilled would try to create the same affect by drawing in all the wrong places and predictably get a less than satisfactory result.  Concerning your calling and indeed any other legitimate issue trust God that He actually knows what He is doing even if some things don’t seem to link together according to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-8). Big people need to trust a big God to do a complete job even if they do not understand everything about His plans all of the time.

If you want to be a power preacher, flowing in spiritual gifts with the confirmation of God’s word through mighty signs and wonders then be faithful in every ordinary, necessary and even menial though legitimate task set before you. What you do in an ordinary day is who you really are.  Selah!

There is a powerful promise in Luke 16:10. This portion of scripture reveals that when a Christian is faithful in daily life and everyday responsibilities Christ’s character will explode inside them. The promise is that this person will be fully prepared for the important things in life and ministry.  What you do, what you say, the attitude that you have when “only” God is watching is who you really are. Selah!

Watching “those few sheep” faithfully with care and commitment way beyond the call of duty turned David into a giant killer and crushed the accusations of the jealous and proud. Hidden in Eliab’s outburst in 1 Samuel 17:28 is the accusation that David had left their father’s sheep helpless and unprotected. David rebuked and ignored Eliab in verses 29-30 partly because he was sick of being falsely accused.  This young man David took care of all his responsibilities and because he did the loud mouthed Eliab couldn’t have been more wrong. David according to verse 20 left the sheep in the safe hands of a “keeper” despite the fact that he couldn’t wait to get to the battle field.  There is nothing wrong with being eager to press forward as long as it is not at the expense of what you are responsible for.  You will never be last when you put what is right first.  

While Eliab viewed David as nothing more than an immature, insignificant brat God loved him deeply and nurtured the heart of a servant and warrior.  David completely ignored Eliab, refused to be distracted or discouraged by him and remained consumed with the cause to which he had been called (1 Samuel 17:29-30).  Be faithful in what you are doing commit your future to God and it is He that will direct your paths not the opinions, ignorance, prejudices or arrogance of others (Psalm 37:1-6; Proverbs 3:5-6). What you do despite what others think of you and say about you determines what type of person you become as a believer as well as a leader.

Remember in all of God’s dealings He is always thinking of the end result, the battles to come and the victories that need to be won. David wanted a sword and God gave him a harp and a sling shot.  David longed to be in the army of God and God gave a few sheep to care for and protect…at all costs and against every enemy.  David yearned for a breakthrough in life and ministry. His big day came when he was asked to be a messenger boy delivering lunch to the “real” soldiers. This was such a menial task and right at the point in his life when he felt the power of God on him to literally take on the world. We know that David didn’t get discouraged or lose focus simply by the fact that he ensured those few sheep were taken care of, the sandwiches were safely delivered and in his instinctive Spirit filled defiance of Goliath.  In everything be faithful believing that God is faithfully doing everything needed to make the blessing and call of God a reality.  David’s harp made demons flee (1 Samuel 16:23).  David’s sling made a giant fall (1 Samuel 17:48).  David’s opportunity came on an ordinary day doing an ordinary task but fulfilling it with extraordinary faithfulness.

Thought: satan’s trade mark is the “short cut” so don’t let him leave his stamp on your life. Christ didn’t…refusing satan’s ultimate short cut of gaining the whole world without the cross He set His face to win it just the way God had planned (Luke 4:6-8).

Forgiveness starts where anger stops.  Forgiveness is embraced when hurt has been released.  Forgiveness is about what you do despite what others have done. 

The Bible student will know that forgiving others is the active ingredient to having power, authority and blessing in your life.   After openly forgiving his brothers for their heinous crimes against him Joseph had 2 sons Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 46:20).  In short Manasseh means forgiveness and Ephraim blessing.  The old phrase “you can’t have one without the other” truly does apply. If there is any doubt about this Christ Himself dispels it in Mark 11:24-25.  In verse 24 we hear the kind of thing that stirs our faith:

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them”.

However Christ does not stop there for in the same breath He continues by saying:

“And when you stand praying [for whatsoever ye desire believing to receive it] FORGIVE, if ye have aught against ANY: that your Father…may forgive you. But if you do not forgive neither will your Father…forgive you…”.

Christ Jesus again reinforces the thought in Matthew 6: 14-15.  There is no better way to say it than to quote the Saviour:

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”.

Don’t miss the central point being made by the Lord Jesus Christ –  forgiving someone else is as much about you as it is them and often more so.  Unforgiveness is sin that will steal, kill and destroy in your life whereas forgiveness will set the offended person free in life, in ministry and eternity.  In Matthew 5:22 – 24 the Lord drills the point home regarding how your actions impact massively on you.  Here the Lord tell us that we should not bring our “…gift to the alter” (v23) when there is anger, bitterness and resentment in our hearts.  What is this gift?  It is ourselves offered to Christ to serve him (Romans 12:1).  To fulfil the call of God you have to let forgiveness fill your heart. Selah!

It is vital to note that forgiveness does not mean that one deliberately places oneself in the firing line for abuse and mistreatment.  Matthew gives us specific instructions with reference to specific situations in chapter 5 verse 44.  Those as designated as your enemies (that curse you, hate, despitefully use and or persecute you) are all dealt with differently.  Whilst love (including forgiveness) can be specific to each scenario, actually doing a good dead may not be the right thing regarding those who are prepared to despitefully use you.  In this instance, for example, we are told to pray.  Whilst Paul forgave Alexander the Coppersmith he made the decision not to reach out to him, to move on in his own life and to leave Alexander for God to judge.  On the other hand with reference to those who let him down in ministry he mentions it as an issue that hurt and disappointed him but Paul makes a point of expressing an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation.  In effect he leaves the door open for the future. See 2^nd Timothy 14 – 16.

Loving your enemies, however, is a blanket statement and applies to all.  It is only possible through a revelation of how you have been forgiven.  Not to forgive (though the journey to that place may take a while at times) makes you a hypocrite for you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ’s forgiveness when you were yet deep in sin (1 John1: 8 – 10).   

Remember one of the greatest revelations you will ever get regarding how much it cost Christ to forgive you is in that very moment when you have to forgive unconditionally and without “hope” of  revenge or recompense.  Don’t leave yourself open to harm’s way but make sure that unforgiveness doesn’t become the stumbling block to your personal walk with the Lord Jesus.  What you truly leave behind will not raise its ugly head in your future.

Despite years of suffering Joseph was determined not to get bitter. Consequently he kept his relationship so close and intimate with God that the prophetic gift and hand of favour on his life, preserving and blessing him, never faltered or waned (Psalm 105: 17 – 19).  He forgave others and found that God had not forgotten him. In fact he discovered that being prepared to forgive kept his heart soft toward and in the centre of God’s will.

How is this forgiveness possible? The answer lies in Mathew 7: 11 + 12 reading verse 7 – 12.  When you recognise that God is in control of your life not people or circumstance, at that point, “… all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you [you will actually be able to reach out and do to them]”.  When you are convinced that God is your judge, source and salvation you will find the heart and the willingness to give and forgive.  A forgiving heart is one that is preoccupied with the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Always apply the silent treatment.

 2. Never compliment voluntarily, spontaneously and without prompting.

 3. Never appreciate day to day effort.

 4. Criticise where you have made no effort or contribution.

 5. Ignore…issues, successes, achievements, concerns or worries.

 6. Always go out with your friends instead of your best friend.

 7. Focus on taking care of yourself expecting everyone else to be there for you when you need them.

 8. Do not do the little things that make a big difference.

 9. Absolutely avoid all forms of daily intimacy.

 10. Be embarrassed about and belittle romance.

 11. Decide that your anger, hurt and frustration are more important than your friendship, relationship and love. Harbouring bitterness after all forms an integral part of achieving a failed marriage.

 12. Within your marriage keep all sexual contact on your terms.

 13. Erode your spouse’s self esteem with your comments, jibs, and criticisms believing that tearing them apart is the best way to build them up.

 14. Never bite your tongue, be patient or respond with a soft answer – always shout back and preferably shout first.

 15. Rest when you should be working and work when you should be resting.

 16. Always be nicer to strangers than to your family.

 17. Take every opportunity to run your spouse down in the company of others – preferably family and friends.

 18. Always pray that God will change them and never pray that you will change for them.

 19. Husbands do not show any love!

 20. Wives do not show any respect!

 N.B. In all things put the above first if in all things your marriage comes last!

The title of this short study is taken from Psalm 56:12.  But to fully appreciate and apply it one must trace God’s revelations throughout the Psalm.

The negative, fearful and disturbing comments made by the psalmist in v 1 +2 are perfectly sandwiched between God’s “mercy” at the start of v1 and the “most High” at the end of v2. In short no matter what the Christian may go through, no matter what may seem to be swallowing you up the reality is you are surrounded by God’s mercy and majesty, love and power, grace and authority.  Your enemy will never have the foothold in your life that can defeat either God’s mercy or His majesty.  This is why in v3 the psalmist declares that what time he is afraid he will not lose his confidence in God.  What time he is afraid is referring to verses 1+ 2 i.e. swallowed up, fought against daily, oppressed and ganged up on.  No matter how much the problem may give the impression of being in control it is in fact surrounded by the God of mercy and the power and authority of the “most High”.

If you are in difficulty you have one of two perspectives open to you. The one that says there is no hope because people twist your words, think evil against you, join forces to oppose you and watch your every step just waiting for you to fall or trip up (v 5 +6).  The second perspective is the one that declares that God is watching over everything happening in your life, that He understands your tears (your emotions and how you really feel), that the detail of your hurt is meticulously recorded so that no answer is overlooked when you cry out to God, and that as soon as you do so your enemies are on the run because THEY KNOW that God is on your side,  (v 8-9).  Hallelujah!

Which of these two perspectives should you choose to believe?  The psalmist makes his choice by putting the word of God above his problem (v10), by putting all threats under God’s control (v11), and by praising God because he knows that the promises of mercy and the deliverance from the “most High” literally rest upon him at all times (v12).  The divine vows / promises that are ever present in your life include a God that is your healer, a very present help in trouble, a God that will never desert or abandon you, will guide you, instruct you, and perfect that which concerns you.

So whatever is knocking at your door it is time to declare like the Psalmist, “When I cry unto Thee then shall my enemies turn back: this I KNOW: for God is for me…Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee” (v 9 + 12).

If truth be told a significant proportion of Christian teaching skirts around the issue of divine healing because the acceptance of sickness and the devastation it brings has been weaved into every fabric of  human life and thought.  It is time that preachers and teachers stuck to the facts…Jesus Christ never refused a human being that called out to him for healing and /or deliverance.  Pressure, life style, genetic disorders and specific satanic attacks all contribute to illness but in scripture God never left anyone in that condition as and when they called out to Him with faith filled, humble and sincere hearts.  The tragedy across the church is that the pulpit often has not taught the people of God how to walk in the healing power of their God.  Many could not quote a healing scripture and certainly would not have the confidence to act on one with authority.  The sheep have been let down by their earthly shepherds and are simply not being led to the place where, “they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed [nor] be lacking” Jeremiah 23:5.  We have got to learn that faith really does come from hearing, reading, mediating on and prayerfully repeating the precious word of truth concerning healing and any other issue for that matter.

It is nobodies place to judge a battered soul suffering from illness but neither is it to accept what God the Father clearly does not.  It is impossible to win a battle that you don’t even realise is yours to fight.  It is time to take up the gauntlet every day, every time and at every opportunity.  Sickness is no match for God…if you are debating this point here in lies the problem.  When you know you can win the fierceness of the battle actually becomes part of the victory. The apostle John reveals that our confidence in receiving the answers to our prayers comes from knowing that what we are praying is actually God’s will (1 John 4: 14 – 15). If you do not know that it is God’s will to heal you then you cannot pray a prayer of faith for a healing miracle.  Sickness is no match for God…but if you are debating whether it is His will to heal or not herein lies the problem.  1 John 4: 14 – 15 clearly teaches us that the only way to have confidence in God answering prayer is to have made the unequivocal decision that it is His will to answer.  You can have total confidence in God’s ability but wavering on whether it is or is not God’s will to heal, for example, is literally where you will stand or fall.  Pray to, study about and seek God earnestly to determine His will then pray and believe.  To those who are struggling to have the energy to get through the day never mind search the scriptures and seek God with all their might listen to CD’s, watch DVD’s, get friends that you know are full of faith to help you read and study the scriptures.  Sickness is no match for God…but if you are debating whether this is all worth the effort here in lies the problem.

As indicated the tragedy in the Christian church is that many believers have never been taught that God wants to heal them never mind how to walk in faith and receive the miracle they need.  So if, dear reader you fall into this category take what you now know and fight back.  Don’t deny your condition but declare daily and as many times as it takes that God wants to heal you. Thoughtfully, sincerely and repeatedly read and quote God’s word (Romans 10:17).  When you feel terrible take comfort that Christ has never been more able, for in your very weakness His strength will be made PERFECT (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Satan cannot win and God cannot loose, even when your body is the battle ground. 

You cannot have a good enough day to earn a miracle so stop trying. Depending on Christ’s grace, love and mercy just ASK, BELIEVE AND RECIEVE. Sorry if this sounds like a naive approach but one must presume the Lord Jesus knew what He was talking about in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you [speaking of the real mountains of verse 23], What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (please read verses 22 – 26).  The revelations of Mark 11:24 are echoed in 3 John v2.  To all dear people facing a mountain of pain and sickness that they cannot cope with, stop listening to the opinions of men or the fears of your own heart and, “…believe that [God] is [the Healer and Deliverer He said He is], and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  Your relentless sickness cannot hope to stand against your persistent faith in an unswervingly faithful all powerful God (Hebrews 13:5-6). 

The only thing that ever stopped Jesus Christ from healing and delivering those who were sick and in need was when He was rejected as their Healer as accounted in Mark 6:1-6. Satan employs the same sinister method in all walks and issues of life namely discredit the Messenger and you automatically discredit the message. It is imperative to note that whatever the reason for rejecting Him Christ identified the core issue as one of FAITH for, “…they were offended at Him [angry, bitter, jealous, envious, proud]…He marvelled because of their unbelief” v3 and v6.  No matter what the rationale lack of faith was the stumbling block. The fact that many would be offended at this very notion is the very reason why sickness overcomes so many.  Faith healing gets a bad report not because it isn’t the truth but because it often has to contend with decades of incorrect teaching and / or no teaching at all.  Unconvinced, then ask the next 10 Christians you meet to quote 3 scriptures on healing, ask them to explain those scriptures and show that they have faith in their God to back them. This exercise would only prove that sickness is everywhere but the truth of a healing God is not.  IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU STAND YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MAKE STAND.   

For many satan has managed to turn a straight forward head on confrontation between sickness and faith into a cynical, mystical, mystery tour of theological points, bad experiences and personal opinions.  Just because it is hard to fight back does not make it wrong to fight back or inform those affected of the need to fight back.  The sooner the Church gets through the painful process of admitting their doubt and start believing in God’s healing power again the sooner all sickness will be on the back foot. That is, believing and receiving before God moves not after. 

Fill your soul (your mind, will and emotions) with the truth of God’s healing power and that same healing power will start to fill your body.  As John writes:

Beloved, I wish (pray) ABOVE ALL THINGS that thou mayest prosper and BE IN HEALTH even as YOUR SOUL prospereth” 3 John v2.

Satan is a killer, a thief and a destroyer (John 10:10).  He will get on with the business of killing you while you debate whether your lottery number has come up and God for some inexplicable reason has decided to heal you / or not as the case may be.  To get the right result you have got to get very serious about your faith in God to heal and get very serious about taking care of the temple on lone to you (2 Corinthians 6:16).  It does not matter how great your faith is if you wilfully neglect your body and even abuse it through a bad diet or poor life style for sooner or later you will pay the price.  The author of this short study believes in God’s unflinching desire to heal and His power to do so but actually lives one of the healthiest life styles of anyone he knows.  As with every area in life you must do what you know to do whilst believing God.

Much more needs to be said…seek out those bold enough to preach it and stand with you believing it.  Please find below some concluding thoughts for your consideration.

How will I recover?

• Instantly –                                               Acts 3:1-11.
• As part of a process -                          Luke 17:11-19 “…as they went”.
• As part of faith, good advice and a better life style -  Timothy 5:23 (wine i.e. non-alcoholic… an alternative to dirty water).

N.B. When Paul wrote to Timothy he makes no reference of praying for him.  Paul new that on this occasion there was no great miracle needed just a better life style adopted. 

Read: Psalm 103:1-3; Psalm 107: 19-21; Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs 4:20 – 22.             

The killer blow, the straw that broke the camels back, one problem too many! What happens when the worst happens?  What do you do when you really should not recover?   Proverbs 24:16 makes it very clear, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again…”.  A brief analysis of this verse reveals powerful truths.  Seven in Bible numerics is the perfect number.  This seventh attack, sudden disaster or heartbreak is the “perfect blow” for it has within it all the ingredients to “KO” the believer.  Yet Jesus declares that even this will not be able to keep a righteous man or woman down.  Reading the whole verse we discover that the child of God will not only recover and rise again but that this victory will be in stark contrast to the misfortune that awaits those who do not trust in Him, “…but the wicked shall fall…”. 

Your worst nightmare is no match for your Saviour.  When you have no light in the middle of your darkest hour Jesus will be your light, “Rejoice not against me, O my enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me”, Micah 7:8.

When you are going through a hard time the secret is to keep going!  For Christ is your Light in the tunnel and not just at the end of it. 

When you have been hit by a body blow, when the wind has been knocked out of you, when your circumstances are sucking the life from you then declare with all your might that you, “…have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Don’t lose sight of the spiritual facts just because of the harsh reality of your situation – Peter and the disciples in Luke 5:5-6 learnt this lesson well, “Master, we have toiled [exhausted all our combined experience and done everything we know too do] all night [that is, we have fought through the darkest of hours] and have… NOTHING…nevertheless [we will believe and obey and] they enclosed a great multitude…”.  There is a powerful hidden truth in this passage.  Fishing at night should have yielded their best catch but it produced nothing.  By the time morning had come their decades of fishing experience told them that the opportunity had passed.  This was exactly the place where Christ wanted them.  Their obedience to His commands when all natural indications pointed to things having gone beyond the point of no return produced a result much better than they had hoped for.  When there is no point, no way out and no options left do not be conformed to this world and give up but be transformed and pray, trust and obey for your miracle is closer than you think (Romans 12:2).

The fear that comes with a sudden attack, problem or adverse circumstance can instantly make you feel crushed, exposed and vulnerable.  How did Jesus cope?  His own town folk grabbed Him in a sudden and murderous uproar and rushed him to a cliff’s edge to throw Him off head first (Luke 4:28 – 30).  Jesus miraculously passed through them and walked away free and safe.  He experienced their sudden anger, saw and felt the sense of imminent danger and was broken hearted at the hate in their eyes.   But Jesus was never under threat.  The mob couldn’t hurt Him because God’s promises and protection couldn’t be broken. 

The bottom line is NOTHING ever caught Jesus by surprise. As He is the same yesterday, today and forever there is nothing in your life that either surprises Him or frightens Him.  Is someone or something trying to kill you, plot against you, ridicule and slander you or even demand payment off you?  Jesus not only has the power to deliver you but He has your answer planned and your steps ordered (Matthew 6:8; Psalm 56: 3 – 13; Psalm 37:23).   Put your feelings in check, check that your focus has not been taken off God and watch Jesus checkmate your enemy before your very eyes.  The Psalmist gets it spot on when he writes, “Let them curse but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.  Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle”, Psalm 109:28-29. 

But let us not forget that the human factor does at times kick in.  There are times when the best of us feel completely disillusioned and undermined by a sudden attack, bad news or sense of failure.  If this should be the case then yet again follow the example and advice of the Psalmist, “For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before Thine eyes: nevertheless Thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto Thee” (Psalm 31:22).  Don’t feel you have blown it because you have blown up and momentarily lost control.  Quickly turn the tide on the approaching danger  – repent and run into the arms of a forgiving God who answers your prayers (Mathew 7: 7-12; Psalm 34:4; Hebrews 11: 6; Hebrews 13: 5 – 6; Psalm 86: 7).

The words of Jeremiah 4:19 vividly describe the condition of a broken and tormented heart: “My distress, my distress!  I am pained in my very heart; my heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace…”.   Job’s wife spelled it out for her husband when she advised him to forget his integrity, admit his life was worthless, curse God and die (Job 2:9).  Thankfully, despite the devastation he experienced, Job lived to see how God “turned his captivity” making the latter end of his life much more blessed than the beginning (Job42: 10+12).  Thank God he did not listen to the facts or believe the voice of anger, ridicule and accusation.

Whatever hurt you have experienced it is not beyond God’s power to heal.  Jesus can totally release you from the prison of problems and pain that is in your heart and mind.  The scripture tells us that, “…the Lord turned the captivity of Job…” (v10).  The choice of words is deliberate.  Do you feel as if you are trapped and can see no way out of the hurt and circumstances around you?  The simple truth is that the Lord Jesus Christ has the power to break you free from your captivity taking you not just into a place of relief but to one of blessing beyond anything that you could have hoped for. 

There are times when you have been under so much pressure that you actually cry out to God in anger accusing Him of deserting you.  However, as soon as a heart felt prayer for deliverance reaches His divine ears Jesus will hear you and deliver you (Psalm 31:22).   Our Lord understands the pain of a broken heart and, therefore, will never ignore a heartfelt cry for help when it comes.

A broken heart in the Master’s hands is as clay to the potter’s.  Even when it is shapeless, hopeless and pointless He knows exactly how to mould it, beautify it and recreate, “ For if our heart condemn us He is greater than our heart…” (1 John 3:20).  Did Christ not declare that He has been sent to, “…bind up[and] heal the brokenhearted…” (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).  The Lord Jesus Christ will take you to the place where you have the memory of a bad experience but one that literally cannot touch or torture you anymore.

Read: Psalm 30: 11-12; Psalm 40:2;

THOUGHT:  What cannot be changed God will heal, remove or replace!  God does not just help you to come to terms with your suffering He takes you beyond it.