Australia last year or so had experienced a tragedy of forest fires claiming over 18 million acres close to one billion animals lost along with many homes and lives lost. This is beyond comprehension when it comes to devastation. A recent fire in the Bronx lost approximately 19 people with many injured and left homeless. In the past couple of years,
it seems more people we know direct or indirectly have died and ‘dropping like flies.’
Our lives are fragile yet at times we think we are immortal as human beings. Job in the Bible had it right when he said, ”The Lord gives and the Lord takes it away, blessed be the name of the Lord” He lost everything yet in spite of his suffering and immense pain Job trusted in God through the good times and the difficult times. Was it easy? Absolutely not, but he knew his Maker and trusted in God in spite of his losses. ”Though he slay me, yet I will trust in Him (God).”
Paul wrote, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay (earthen vessels) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us,” 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV.
Our lives are jars of clay and they are so fragile. Paul shows us to acknowledge God’s surpassing power is from God and not from ourselves. We are instructed to lean on Jesus to acknowledge that our strength, wisdom, healing, and understanding come from him, and not trying to do it on our own.
Life is so fragile so handle it with prayer and trust God even when it looks bleak and impossible.
The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So, I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. Then the Lord gave me this message: “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand,” Jeremiah 18:1-6 NLT.
Perhaps all your wisdom and resources are exhausted and you're still trying to figure a way out but to no avail. Would you allow the power of God to help you today? It’s time to let it go and surrender to what God wants in your situation and not what you want.
Declare in faith today that the Lord is in control, because ‘faith is the victory that overcomes the world.’ As believers, “we have been made more than conquerors.” “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” -Joshua 1:9 NLT
May you face your day and coming challenges this week with confidence and courage with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pastor Andy Provitola