Turn From the Mess and Look to the Lord!

As I came over the hill that’s just before the turnoff to our house, I saw a devastating sight. Someone must have had an accident.  My son in law’s truck was parked on the side of the road and their 4-wheeler was in the ditch. There were muddy tracks all over the road. I whispered Jesus’ name as I slowed down and came around the truck.  I just knew they’d wrecked the 4 wheeler and I just couldn't bear the thought that one of my kids or grandkids was riding when it happened.

As I drove slowly around the truck and I peered into the front seat, my daughter was driving. She turned and smiled at me. With a few words exchanged it turned out to be not nearly the devastation that it appeared to be.  They had actually just ridden through the ditch and got stuck! Relief flooded through my heart and mind as I drove on to the house.

There are times when we suddenly find ourselves in a tough situation. It looks bad. Everything was fine just moments before, but abruptly the whole scene of our life changes.  What we see with our eyes convinces us that there’s been devastation, disaster or worse.  Our hearts beat wildly and tears escape as we try to calm ourselves.  When we find that it’s not what it appears, we let out a sigh of relief.

It’s true that the 4 wheeler was messed up. They had to pull it out of the muddy ditch where it had buried up to its axles  They had to make a mess to get the thing unstuck. It was hard work and it took time. But it was not the terrible scene I had just witnessed with my own eyes.

Maybe you’re going through a rough spot right now. It looks awful. It caught you by surprise. You’ve tried blinking your eyes to make it go away. You’ve tried holding your breath. You’ve whispered a prayer and tried to talk yourself down, but it looks bad. You don’t know if it’s a little trouble or a total disaster because you’re right in the middle of it. It’s a mess and you’re trying to hold on for dear life. You weren’t expecting it, but it’s happened. You didn’t ask for it or deserve it, but here you are in the muddy ditch of life and you don’t know how it’s going turn out.  You came upon your circumstances with no warning and you’re reeling. It could be the messiness of rejection, dejection or abandonment.  The very person you thought would stick with you has left. The job you felt so secure in has played out. The fellowship that was so sweet is over.

Whatever your circumstances, there is One Who will walk with you through it. He will pick up the pieces. He will clean up the mess. He will dust you off, bandage your wounds and set you securely on the road again. He will hold you until the storm cloud passes, He will watch over you as you survey the circumstances. As you whisper His name, He is already with you.

Oh beloved, do you hear that still small voice? He speaks words of love and encouragement. He says I AM with you. He says you are never alone. He shields you from total devastation as He holds you securely in His loving arms. I AM always going to get you through everything you face. I AM the one who can make the greatest disaster turn out to be a momentary light affliction. If you will hold onto Me, I AM going to take you beyond the present situation you see with your eyes and provide new vision for the road ahead.

Listen to the Father’s heart. He will always always always love you. He will always always always be with you. He will forever make what looks bad, turn out for your good and His glory. For you are His and He is yours. For you are more than the sum of your mistakes, you are more than the disasters seen with your naked eye. You are bought with a price, redeemed with love and set for glory in eternity. Trust Him today, right in the middle of your mess. Together, as you hold tightly onto God’s hand and look away from the situation and focus on His Word, the disaster will fade into peace. God loves you and He’s for you and that’s what will always get you through.

Psalm 94:18-19 I cried out, "I am slipping!" but Your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Psalm 69:13-14 But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer me with Your saving truth. Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink.

Micah 7:7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help.  I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.