I was recently reminded of an old popular story about a donkey who had fallen into a well. His owner decided that it was too much of a liability to get the donkey out so he decided to bury him in the well. The man and his friend began to shovel dirt into the well to seal it up. As the donkey felt the heaviness of the dirt upon his back, he realized that it was over. He laid down and began to give up. With each shovel-full, his situation became more and more grim. But suddenly, his will to live bubbled up inside of him. He decided that he could use his situation to his advantage. The donkey stood up tall and shook the dirt from off of his back! Each time the men pitched in more dirt, the donkey shook it off and stepped up higher. He repeated this procedure until he was able to climb out of the well! The very thing that was meant to kill him, saved his life! The Bible says (Gen 50:20 amp) As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day. I know that if I had been that donkey, I would have been pretty scared. It looked like all hope was gone. Let me tell you another story about a group of people who were also in a tough situation, however they dealt with it another way. In the book of Numbers the thirteenth chapter, the Lord told Moses to send twelve men to explore the Land of Canaan, which was the promised land. Each man was to represent each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their instructions were to "see what the land is and whether the people who dwell there are strong or weak, few or many (vs 18). The scouts returned after forty days. Num 13:26-28, 30-31, 33 amp 26 They came to Moses and Aaron and to all the Israelite congregation...and brought them word, and showed them the land's fruit. 27 They told Moses, We came to the land to which you sent us; surely it flows with milk and honey. This is its fruit. 28 But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage] 30 Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once and possess it; we are well able to conquer it. 31 But his fellow scouts said, We are not able to go up against the people [of Canaan], for they are stronger than we are. 33 There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Now back to our topic. What is your perspective on life? Is it like the Donkey's-who believed that the trials and tribulations that came his way were there to make him stronger and better and would ultimately lead him to where God wanted him to be? Or is it like the Israelites-who knew that God had promised them something, but were too scared to go after it, because they couldn't trust God to keep his word? How does you perspective vary from God's? Let's talk about the latter situation more in depth. Caleb was able to see God's perspective. He traveled the same road as the other spies. He saw the same giants, cities, and houses as they did. But what was different? How could he stand there and confidently say that they could take the land? The other men gave a report based on what they saw with their natural eyes. Even though what they saw was true, they failed to apply God's word to the situation. They focused on the strong giants, but Caleb focused on how strong his God is! Yes, the inhabitants of the land did see them as grasshoppers, but God is big enough to keep his promises! Don't get distracted by your circumstances-remember God's promises, believe them, and be at peace! When trials come, shake them off, and step up higher! God's word will help you to do that. Is 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Rom 8:37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him who loved us. (amp) 2 Cor 2:14-15 But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. (amp) 1 Jn 4:4 Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He who lives in you is greater [mightier] than he who is in the world. (amp) I hope you enjoyed reading the Word of God in a new light! Have a happy Wednesday! God Bless Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray |
| How Do You Choose to Look at Life? Jan. 7, 2004 |