Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Contemporary Christian Artist Laura Story sings a song called blessings. You can listen to it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ.
The lyrics of the chorus are:
What if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if the thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
What if the prayers we pray miss the point? The scripture tells us through trial and tribulation we grow, we learn, we change. What I’m asking God to take away might just be the very thing He has placed or allowed in my life for my own good. The very thing you might be begging God to remove just might be His blessing in disguise.
Some like to say God will never put more on us than we can bear, however, the bible doesn’t teach this. God has promised to never put more on us than HE CAN BEAR. How do I pray through those difficult times?
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 tells us God is the God of comfort and He comforts us in all our affliction so we can comfort others who go through the same thing. During times of sorrow it is essential I press in to God. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a broken relationship, receiving the news of severe illness, etc., in any and all of these situations we must get on our face before God and remember His faithfulness and goodness to us. As we seek Him he comforts us, then in time we can comfort others.
There was a very long and rarely-used trail across Nevada’s Amargosa Desert that had one old well on it. The following letter was found in a baking-power can wired to the handle of the old pump that offered the only hope of drinking water:
“This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There’s enough water in it to prime the pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour about one-fourth and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like crazy. You’ll git water. The well has never run dry. Have faith. When you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller.
(signed) Desert Pete
P.S. Don’t go drinking the water first. Prime the pump with it and you’ll git all you can hold.
Remember today Christ has a well of hope, joy, peace, and love which will never run dry. Prime the pump in prayer and leave some for those who come after you. Thank God today for those blessings in disguise.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Oh Father, I don’t understand the trials and hardships I face. I even question why I am going through them. However, Lord I know You are good. Help me trust You today and rest in Your love. I know there will be a blessing on the other side of tribulation. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)
But Samuel replied,
“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.