Those Situations!

         The situation a person finds himself in can define and refine his character. In fact it can be said that a ‘wise’ man is a product of the situations he has gone through because every situation schools and sharpens his perspective on life. God expects us as His children to be refined by the situations we find ourselves in. This means the situations are used by Him as tools to burn out, trim out and or expose every hint of flesh in us if we let Him. For instance: “Remember that the Lord your God led you on the entire journey these 40 years in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments. He humbled you by letting you go hungry…” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3a). It is not the intention of God for His children be overwhelmed by the situations they find themselves, but for us to stand, and as we do: “No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the fruit of peace and righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). What makes a person in Christ remain standing in spite of what he has gone through or is going through is how well he listens to God’s word and how much of what he has heard he obeys. God expects us to give a hundred percent attention and obedience to Him. We must understand that God is still in the business of training us if we will listen and obey Him: “Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, on whom the ends of the ages have come” (1Corinthians 10:11). 

        Let’s look at this scenario in the Bible. King Hoshea, son of Elah, the king of Israel: “…did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not as the kings of Israel who were before him” (2Kings 17:2). This means he did not completely turn away from the error of Jeroboam: “A righteous person who yields to the wicked is like a muddied spring or a polluted well” (Proverbs 25:26). So many like him, claim to be children of God, but fail to follow through in obedience. King Hezekiah, son of Ahaz on the other hand: “…he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done” (2Kings 18:3). As a result: “the Lord was with him, and wherever he went, he prospered…” (2Kings 18:7a). This did not mean he did not have difficult situations but that God saw him through them. Both of these kings heard the instructions of the Lord, went through same situations but the outcome of the workings of the situations upon their lives was markedly different because of their obedience or lack thereof. Now, both rebelled against the Assyrian king at the time; king Hoshea however sought refuge with the king of Egypt (representing the world) while king Hezekiah sought refuge with the Almighty God. When faced with situations that are beyond our control or comprehension, who do we turn to? Remember, you are not the only one facing a similar situation but unfortunately two very distinct outcomes are seen depending on who we turn to. When we hold steadfastly to God no matter the situation, God comes through for such a one: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected” (Proverbs 18:10). When human cover is sought, God Himself fights such a one “this is what the Lord says: Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes human flesh his strength and turns his heart from the Lord…he cannot see when good comes but dwells in the parched places in the wilderness in a salt land where no one lives” (Jeremiah 17:5-6). 

         Friend, the reason you find it difficult and confusing to know what to do in that situation you are in is because you are listening to discordant voices. Turn to God and the Holy Spirit will direct you on what to do as He did with Hezekiah: “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will also declare to you what is to come” (John 16:13). God has allowed that situation to come, not to overwhelm you but to train you to totally trust in Him. May the help of God reach you as you look up to Him in Jesus Christ name. God bless you.