“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his hear to dull to hear” - Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)
A rope can serve many useful purposes. For instance, ropes are used to tie up loose ends and hold bulky items together. Ropes can form a scaffold useful in building. Sometimes a rope can be thrown out for one at sea and used to pull such back to safety.
Once the Apostle Paul was caught up in a situation where he was being pursued for arrest due to his preaching. “In Damascus the Governor under King Aretas had the city of Damscenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in a wall and slipped through his hands” (2 Cor 2: 33-34). A rope had played a useful purpose.
Sometimes though we can be at the end of our ropes, where it is not the case of being thrown a rope to pull us back to safety. After King David’s son overthrew him forcing him out of the palace he was clearly driven to the end of his ropes, being thrown all types of abuses( 2 Sam 16:8). But at that desperate point in his life David decided to look to God and cry out: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe” (Psalm 61:1-3).
At his lowest moment David did not lose all hope. He goes on to add, “Increase the days of the King’s life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him” (verse 6-7). And finally David declares, “Then I will sing in praise of your name, and fulfil my vows day after day” (verse 8).
When we are at the end of our ropes, the example of David should surely inspire us. When all hope is lost let us look up to the Almighty God, to throw us a rope of His own to glide us back to the shores of life.
Prayer for today : Lord Father in heaven, where I am at the end of my ropes, I look up to you trusting that you will throw me the rope of life!
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
