Daily devotion – help…
Ephesians 5: 15-21 provides wisdom for navigating challenging times:
15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
In these evil days, especially as we witness the distressing events in Israel, it’s crucial to seek refreshment, rejuvenation, and refilling with the love, power, grace, and strength that the Holy Spirit provides. This isn’t a mechanical process but an intimate connection with Jesus Christ, our Savior.
The days are evil indeed as we have been pounded emotionally by the witnessing by media the events in Israel from the Hamas terrorist attack.
How do we medicate ourselves on witnessing such horror? How do we not get overwhelmed with anger or depression as we see the heartache and grief in Israel?
Paul tells us that we need to be refreshed, be rejuvenated, refilled with the love, power, grace and strength that the Holy Spirit can bring to us. Does He do it automatically? Do I follow some program? No, remember our faith is not built or trusting in a process, its being connected, embedded with Jesus Christ our Saviour.
It’s you finding a place alone, with your Bible, and praying before you open it to read. Then you come before God, and you cry out to Him the wonderous prayer – “Help!”
“Lord, help me with the sadness that fills my heart, Lord help me with the ache I have for the families who have had loved one’s murdered. Lord, help with the crippling pain that racks my soul for the babies and children who have suffered and died.”
“Lord help me because these things are too much for me to contain and know!”
When Moses was overwhelmed with the job, the load of responsibility in leading millions of unhappy murmuring people out in the desert following the pillar of cloud in the day, at night Moses would literally fall on his face before God and cry out – “Help!”
When you are dry, out of tears, numb from the pain and anguish of things like we have seen this week, there is only one place to go – into the very presence of God. To lay down before Him and weep and seek His help and pray for those suffering. This is how we are filled once again with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.
He comforts us for He is the God of comfort. I find myself simply sitting with Him, saying little but seeking all He has to give me to strengthen me, to help me, to continue on in this warfare of life.
At times like this God will then give me a Scripture, a verse or paragraph, even a word in the passage I am reading, and it will give me something to hold, something to stand upon, and the knowledge that the truth of His Word is where He wants to direct my thoughts at this time.
Seek Him today, fall down before Him and ask Him for help – He never fails!