I traveled to MN this week. (I am not fond of leaving the family, but usually if the Lord ordains a time alone in travels, He has plans beyond mine). {He allowed me to stand between the stories of two Husbands/ Daddy's that personally shared with me on my trip} ... “If you are wrestling with tough personal situations don't put this down until you have heard it out”. I will not share all the details but I thought you might be interested in the similarities and differences. Taken to heart, their stories could be life changing:
SIMILARITIES of both men: Believers, husbands with marriages in jeopardy, 3 children, related to preachers, alcohol abuse for a time, job stress, God is seeking both of them.
DIFFERENCES – One is pulling the marriage together; and the other just finalized the divorce. One is growing in a deeper devotion to the Lord; and the other may or may not take the challenge to start a new relationship with his God. (Key to remember: Security through life is found in our Faith in Jesus).
Psalm 9:16 - The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth : the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
Higgaion. -to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak , roar, groan, imagine, murmur, and whisper.
Selah. - to lift up, exalt, (a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption).
Both of these men felt devastation at one time or another in their lives. One was devastated as a teen; and the other was devastated in his marriage. Both had a choice to repent (draw close in agreement with God and His Word) and continue experiencing a walk with Christ. One turned his complaints inward, while walking away from God; and the other opened his complaints upward, while walking toward his God. I will continue to pray for both families because I know the effective deliverance that God can carry out if our hearts will allow Him in to the devastation.
Psalm 9:16 is a verse that has us standing at a cross road. At this crossroad there is an Effectual Deliverance from the Lord; or a trap we create for ourselves in a time of destitution. Two strange but very appropriate words appear at the end of the verse --- “Higgaion” and “Selah” (defined above). WE WILL ALL MAKE BAD CHOICES. What we do when we are facing the consequences of those choices is extremely critical. The consequences of our bad choices will make us (Higgaion)moan, utter, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak, roar, growl, grown, murmur, and whisper ….at this point Selah) PAUSE and EXALT. Stop and lift your heart to Jesus. He has never left us and will never forsake us. Even when we think we have abandoned Him, He stays right there with us.(Read the entire Psalm 9 and rest in the promises).
Any delay in deliverance is always on our part. He has shouted through eternity “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation”. Why do we allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that His love for us will not overcome our devastating situation? He will deliver you.
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Psalm 9:9
He desires to be our High Place when we are crushed, and our High Place when devastated. Give in to His desire for you … Moan and Roar/ Pause and Exalt ...Trust His rescue.
HLFA,
Jeff
