“But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it will be evident that such overwhelming power comes from God, and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 This is such a simple verse, but it’s pretty profound. We hear all the time that we are jars of clay, fashioned to do the work of God; however, this is another side to the clay. If we were made of something other than clay, say metal or iron or even porcelain, then it wouldn’t be obvious that the things in our lives that happen are from God. If we were made of iron or metal, then we could say (or others might think) that the miraculous things happen as a result of our own power and strength. Conversely, if we were made of porcelain, then it could be claimed that the miraculous things happen because we are beautiful or well-made. But clay pots are simple. Even when they’re painted and decorated, there’s still a simplicity and delicateness about them. They’re not always the ones to stand out, but they are useful and are used for everyday tasks, for serving, and for storing. In the same way, we serve others, we carry the Holy Spirit in us, and God uses us for everyday tasks. Our strength comes from God, and the overwhelming power given, can only come from from Him!
The heavens declare the glory of the LORD The moon hides its face in shame at the mere reflection of Your beauty. The stars for all their twinkling light can never match the magnificence of Your glory. Though the sun may shin with all its might it will never be but a shadow of Your brilliance. O God, You reign in the heavens! Your majesty humbles all creation. Though man lifts his face against You he is but a speck of dust, blown swiftly away. You honor those You choose and humble those who strut around in pride. You hear the smallest of Your children’s call yet You command the most violent of storms. All creation bows to You It sings Your praises! Though man works evil against it Your power and might prevail. Your cleansing blood overwhelms their efforts, Purifying Your world, Proclaiming Your might.
Psalm 31:3 You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this peril. Psalm 61:2a From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed. Psalm 91:5-6 Do not be afraid of … the disaster that strikes at midday. Psalm 91:14-15 The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. Psalm 31:15a My future is in your hands… Psalm 31:19 Your goodness is so great! You have stored up great blessings for those who honor you. You have done so much for those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. I am overwhelmed, a little crushed, and a little fearful. When unexpected hurdles rear up right in front of you creating an insurmountable blockage, what can you do? Me? Remember to breathe. Pray really hard… and finally realize that God is more glorified in the most challenging of circumstances than He would be if everything went like clockwork. If everything was easy, where would be our need to cry out to Him? There would be no need for miracles, and fewer opportunities to see His hand at work in the situation. However, if you take an already difficult event (like our Gala) and throw in a few twists and turns and last minute tangles… Well, then you have the basis for God to come in and do something awesome, something super-human, something only attributable to Him. For all the world to know and for His glory, what are a few little kinks in our human plans? We have the God of the Universe, the Way-Maker, the Almighty Lord Most High on our side. He saw the problems before we even began planning. And He knows the solution already, too. So what more is there to say? God, have your way. Please make a way where there seems to be no way. Work miracles, please. Glorify Your name.
Zechariah 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: All this may seem impossible to you now, a small and discouraged remnant of God’s people. But do you think this is impossible for me, the LORD Almighty? I feel a little bit like the remnant sometimes. I feel small and discouraged by the circumstances of my life. Last Sunday was one of those days. I was frustrated by some of the events that had happened and discouraged by life. The hope of God’s promises seemed really impossible and it seemed like we’d never get out of the situation we’re in. There always seems to be a glimmer of hope on the horizon, but it never seems to get any closer. I was overwhelmed and felt incredibly small compared to the craziness and circumstances of what is going on around me. But God reminded me of His faithfulness, first through a song by Israel Houghton called “Everywhere That I Go.” Here are the lyrics from the chorus: You promised me, you’ll never leave You promised me, I’m never forsaken and I believe Goodness and mercy, will follow me Surrounding me, where I go Every where that I go These words are incredibly comforting because they remind me that God NEVER leaves, He NEVER gives up, He NEVER fails to keep His promises. He never makes pie-crust promises (those promises that are easily made, easily broken… as Mary Poppins would say). Everywhere that I go, He is there, surrounding me with His great LOVE! So, what seems like it would be impossible and has over time seemed like it will never end, is not impossible for God. He never leaves me stuck here, He never gives up on me, and He never fails to keep His promises. Is it impossible? For me, yes. For God, no. I still get discouraged and feel tiny compared to my overwhelming circumstances, but this (and God’s continual reminders through music) helps me to stay focused on the fact that God is SO much bigger than my storm and SO much more able to do the impossible than I can imagine. I certainly don’t know the future, but I do know that He’s already been there and already knows the best path to take to get there. And in the end, if I get there holding His hand, then no matter what life throws at me, He will lead me in His presence and eventually all those promises will be true.
Jonah 1:19 The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. I’d have been pretty awestruck, too. Imagine! There are 10-20 foot waves crashing around your not-so-huge boat. You’ve thrown everything you can into the boiling, churning water in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. The rain is whipping around like nails, hammering the deck in a thunderous applause. The deck rears up, throwing people and the few objects left from one side to the other, threatening to knock everyone into the deadly sea. The sky is black, and the water is blacker. All hope seems lost. But then, a crazy guy who can sleep through a storm this bad, admits to angering a God you’ve never heard about and offers to be thrown overboard. And the minute his feet leave the deck on his way into the water, instantly the sea is calm, the driving wind and rain become a gentle breeze, the clouds vanish and the sun shines down. Yeah, I’d be awestruck! Even though Jonah disobeyed God and brought a great storm on these guys, there was some good that came from it. No, Jonah didn’t really learn a great lesson because when God didn’t destroy Ninevah he was very upset (You should watch the Veggie Tales version – Jonah and the Big Fish – to get a great illustration of this point). But these sailors, who had just thrown their livelihoods overboard, became servants of the Most High God. Our disobedience affects other people. Jonah’s probably cost the sailors tons of money. But it doesn’t have to be all bad. God used Jonah’s sin to show His power, punishment, and mercy to the sailors who might never have heard of Him otherwise. I’m not advocating sinning just so God can use it for good. I’d imagine that far more good comes from our obedience; but since we are constantly fighting our fleshly, natural natures, sin is inevitable (remember that verse… all have sinned – Rom 3:23….yeah, that would be me and you and everybody on earth). It’s a bit reassuring to know that God can bring good from our stubbornness and selfishness and pride.
In Numbers 16 it tells the story of Korah and his followers who rebelled against Aaron and Moses and, ultimately, against God. Korah was a Levite, which meant that he served God by serving the Tabernacle. He was mad because he wasn’t an actual priest (only the descendants of Aaron could be priests). So he led a rebellion against Aaron and Moses. Unfortunately for him, it led to his death and the death of his family and followers. The earth actually opened up, swallowed them all, and then closed back up around them. Now, you’d think, having seen that (sounds terrifying), the Israelites would decide that God was pretty powerful and that if He said something, it was the right thing. I’d also think they’d connect the dots and realize that Korah and his followers pushed God, and God punished their sins. But no, they blamed Moses and Aaron for the actions and deaths of Korah and his followers (as if Moses had made the earth open up!). For the second time in about as many days, God told Moses and Aaron to get away from the people so He could wipe them out. And for the second time, they interceded on the people’s behalf (despite the people’s words and actions against them). Instead God sent a plague which killed 14,700 people! It probably would have killed more if Aaron hadn’t followed Moses’ instructions to take the incense burner out among the people to make atonement for them. The Israelites failed to fear the wisdom and will of God. They grumbled against His chosen leaders and questioned not only his decrees, but also His ability to do anything about their willfulness. I’m like that a lot, I think. I see the power that God has, His ability to do anything, His promises fulfilled, and the wisdom of His way, and then I turn around and question Him about something else that I don’t understand or don’t like. It’s a miracle that God is so patient! I suppose though, that as His child He looks at me and sees Jesus instead of my filth and continued sinfulness. No matter how many times my sons question me or ignore my instructions or get disciplined, I love them, adore them, and would do anything I could to make them safe and happy. And that’s how God sees me. I may have consequences to my choices, but because of the Jesus and His sacrifice for me, I am a child of God and He loves me passionately, forgiving me over and over, loving me more and more. I am well and truly blessed to have that kind of relationship with my Heavenly Father. I am very thankful I didn’t live before Jesus came!