Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Out on a Ledge?

I’ve never stood on a ledge of a tall building. You’re not likely to ever see me there. But there are plenty of movies, old and new, that showcase the hero on the ledge. The wind is whipping his clothes and the police are usually below, “Don’t jump!” they holler. Others are trying to get up to the roof of the building to grab the victim before he can fall to his death.

There’s often someone who has the credentials to attempt to talk the victim down. The hope is to get him to climb off the ledge to the roof or into the window to safety.

He’s a victim because he believes there’s no other way to get notice, to be heard or to prove His point. He’s been run up a tree like a cat and he’s ready to lose it all. He probably feels that he has lost it already. Talking the victim down makes for success- he’s saved, they’re relieved and the story ends on a good note.

Ever feel like you’re out on the ledge? Life is tough. Things are not going well. Nobody’s listening. Nobody cares. You’ve tried to work through it, meditate on it, look past it and make yourself forget. But the troubles, the trials, the situations of life keep coming. People disappoint you, jobs don’t last, health fails, love wanes, bills increase. Answers don’t come. Help doesn’t come. And now you’re out on a ledge and you don’t know what to do. Friends can talk to you but they don’t know what you’re feeling. The bank can give you a loan, but you don’t get permanent relief. Doctors know what they’re doing, but no promises are written in stone. It’s tough, it’s rough and it’s just about to the point where it’s not worth it.

But in steps One Who has the credentials. The One Who breathed the stars and set the planets in orbit is stepping into the scene. The Lord Jesus Himself is there. Everything changes when He steps into the situation, when He walks on the water of your situation.  For He has been sent on assignment just for you.

What you and I cannot hope to do, beloved, He can do. He won’t talk you down, but He will talk you through. And that’s amazing. Because He’s an amazing God, He enters into every problem, every trial, every hurt, every fear and calms the raging storm.  

Listen beloved, I know you are in the storm of your life. The diagnosis, the prognosis, the bank account, the rejection letter, the impossible are all whipping around you as you stand on the ledge. I know it’s hard and I know it’s scary. But I also know the Savior and He is able to take every single thing that’s going on in your life and talk you through it. He’ll not only talk you through it, He’s coming out on the ledge with you to walk you through it.

Oh beloved, whatever it is this morning that has taken your breath away or knocked the wind from your sails, run to the Father of Lights, for there’s no shadow or shifting with Him. He changes not, His compassions fail not. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS. Your life may feel like shifting sand, your heart may be in the shadows of fear or regret or uselessness, but God never changes.

He will take your situation and take you by the hand and walk you through the darkness and back into the light. All the while He will talk to you in love songs of devotion and tender, loving care. He will get you through this and your feet will again be on solid ground. Why? Because He is God, He is Abba Father, He is I AM and He is love. Trust Him today and walk securely in His presence and listen to His voice for it is always calming, peaceful and True. Oh how He loves you, oh how He cares and that’s the solid ground of your life all the way to eternity.

Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

Mark 4:39 When Jesus woke up, He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.

Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

James 1:17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.

 

No comments: