deliverance

Psalm 34

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

I sought the Lord and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears Psalm 34:4

A pastor of mine many had once worked on steel towers several hundred feet tall. He talked with me one day about the process of training that men went through to be able to join the crew. One phrase that he often said is ,”Any man who says he isn’t afraid is a liar!”

I believe that King David would have agreed with my pastor. He didn’t try convincing God that he was courageous. No David’s response to the fear he felt while in danger was to cry out to the Lord. He knew that God already knew that he was terrified. He wasn’t trying to fool God or anyone else. David knew of only one place to go; that was to his knees! Like a child shouting for his father’s help David unhesitatingly cried to God. No matter what anyone thought David was convinced that God would listen. 

If you are facing your biggest fear today God already knows. He is able to deliver but He is patiently waiting for our cry!

 

Only Believe!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 14:24

During a recent snow storm our friend’s son told his dad that since God had sent the snow then he would just wait for God to take it away. In the morning I sent the father this short message, “Let your son know that I waited a few hours for God, but finally I had to shovel the snow myself!”
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Jesus cannot be hurried or pressed into doing our part. The father in Mark’s gospel story had done all he knew to do. He had asked everyone he could think of for help. Now at last he stood before Jesus and pleaded for help for his son. But Jesus was not concerned only about the problem that this man could see. Jesus was at work, beneath the surface. He tenderly pressed this dad till he touched on the core issue of his struggle. He was willing to sacrifice. He was willing to humbly ask for help. Could he now be brave enough to believe?

It seems almost hard-hearted of Jesus to push this person to his limit, but Jesus saw something within him that he didn’t even know he had. He had faith! Listen closely to his prayer, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” That is a prayer God always answers!

First we believe, and then He gladly helps us with our unbelief. Drawing out this father’s faith is the great miracle.  When the miracle of faith drawn out to action in our lives is accomplished there is nothing that God cannot do!

 

“All things are possible, only believe!” Mark 14:23b