I realize in the moment that he'll never leave me nor forsake me and his right hand upholds me. I'm seated with Christ in heavenly places and nothing can separate me from his love. His love really does endure forever. Let me say it again...his love "endures." It never runs out, it never turns its back, it never gives up, it endures. It endures when I turn my back on him, it endures when I'm frustrated, it endures when I say something I wish I hadn't. It endures!
As I was praying tonight, I reflected on all that has transpired over the last week with the massive floods and the sadness that fills our region. I drove through Herkimer to see road crews working around the clock, I've witnessed our community coming together to help those in need. I've seen the homes that have been destroyed, I've seen the cars that stand under water, I've witnessed local businesses that are now deserted, due to the ruthless waters that rage through their stores. I see the pavement standing on end, in heaps of rubble and I realize the power of God as I ponder His Sovereign rule.
As I was praying for those affected by the flood and disaster, God revealed a precious jewel to me that encouraged me. As I sat there weeping, crying out to God for mercy, I remembered the scripture, "The fervent prayer of a righteous man has much power." So there I stand in the middle of my bathroom, eyes full of tears, heart full of hurt and a mind that has been battered by failed expectations. I begin to plead louder, begging earnestly, wrestling with God.
Then, I hear his still small voice. He calms me with his gentle whisper, he opens up the windows of heaven and looks down on me. As He calms me, I remember what I saw tonight on Barto Hill.
Each ray that shines through, declaring a testimony of his faithfulness. I realized in that moment that no road worker could remove this water, as I witnessed dump truck after dump truck extract mud from the roads. I pictured the strain and effort being exhausted by each worker, the long hours - night and day. I saw them as they were battered and bruised. One flagger looked like he would fall asleep leaning on his "Stop" sign as he directed traffic.
Then, I realized that it was the heat of the sun that was drying the ground, it was the hand of God that was pushing down the raging rivers. It's really true that although mourning may last for a night his joy comes in the morning. The sun shines effortlessly directed by the Majestic One as each worker labors intensely. He is the one who is holding the world together by the word of his power. The one who never gives up, never leaves, never walks away. He's the faithful One, even when we are faithless.
Then I remembered this picture:
I heard the Lord say, "The waters will cover the land, and soften the ground. They will revive what is dead and the desolate wasteland will be rebuilt. His Spirit is the water that softens the hard ground. It's the force that washes away the old and ushers in the new.
Then another picture entered my mind. For the last couple of years as I felt God calling our family to upstate NY, I remember literally saying, "God, that ground is too hard." I remembered others saying, "Herkimer County is a hard ground, many have labored here and there have been many fallen soldiers that have left, because the work was too hard." I remember praying with a lady not long ago, who mentioned in our prayer time that Charles Finney wouldn't come to Dolgeville because the spiritual ground was too hard. Then I remembered this picture:
What is too difficult for our God? He can break up the hardest ground with a flood of his Spirit. The thickest, hardest blacktop crumbles under His hand. No ground is too hard for Him, although it be hard for me. "Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord until He comes to rain righteousness on you... " Hosea 10:12
This is the God who takes a wretch and makes him clean. This is the One who looks at me when I'm constantly failing and says, "I love you, son." This is the one who set me free, this is the One who bore my sin, who took my place, who gave me new life, who sought me out, who sent his son, so that I could have abundant life. This God of wonder, this God of unexplainable love. The one who wipes my tears with his blood stained hand. The one who is majestic, holding me together.
What can stand in his way? What can complicate his plan? Who can stop his jealous love?
God Bless You!
Jimmy
