Monday, October 8, 2012

SAFE...IN HIS HANDS


I am happy to report that I am adjusting to my new home.

The mountains are beginning to work their magic on me – and I can feel the beauty of my surroundings sinking into my soul.

Truly, the views here are fantastic.

A couple of weeks ago, "The Hub" and I took a hike (there are tons of trails up here).  Notice that I said we took this hike together.  It was not one of those times when I said to "The Hub" – "Go take a hike."

Yes, this was an afternoon glorying in God's creation.

However, though I am doing better and better up here, my heart is still heavy.

Because, you see, a person very dear to me who still lives *down the hill* is really struggling.

Walking through a deep valley, a dark place.

Many people have come alongside, offering comfort and empathy – and advice.  I continue to offer what counsel I can.  Praying always that the Holy Spirit would make me say (or not say) what is needed.

But, at the end of the day, this person's struggle is their own.

Walking through a wilderness, in many ways, is a solitary journey.

The hardest thing for me has been watching this person wrestle spiritually. I know this person is a believer, but to witness their frustration and disappointment with God is tough.

Sometimes I wonder (worry) – what if they give up on the whole thing and walk away?

I have no control over this, of course.

Just as each person's wilderness is their own, so it is with their faith.

Salvation is a matter between God and each person.

Single, solitary – deeply personal.

The "walking out" of that faith is also an individual journey.

Absolutely – we do not walk alone.  We have friends who walk beside us, we have the Word of God – we have the eternal Presence of God Himself, the One who never leaves us nor forsakes us.

But, in some ways, our soul is alone in the world, and alone in its communion with God.

And so, I watch this person struggle – with life issues, yes – but even more painfully, with faith issues.

The enemy taunts me as I watch him taunt this person.

"They're going to be totally ineffective in their life.  They're going to turn their back on God.  You know that, right?"

Oh, how I hate his words.

As I watch him "pick on" this other person, I want to punch the devil in the eye.

"Go away!  Leave them alone," I want to scream.

Yesterday, I was making the long and lonely two-hour trip back home after spending a few days down below where I used to live.  I was being tortured by my thoughts…

And then, a Voice spoke to me:

"I WILL NOT LET GO."

Just five words.

Just five incredible words.

Sometimes God speaks in a whisper.  This time He shouted.

I nearly felt the car reverberate with the resounding promise.

God repeated it several times, each time sounding more forceful, more inspiring, more comforting…

"I. WILL. NOT. LET. GO."

And then, right after I heard it yet again, I turned on my radio to a local Christian station.  The first words I heard were literally…

"…to the ends of the earth."

I cried.

Can you believe the impact of that thought?  Said by God to me, and then *coincidentally* coordinated with the radio?

"I WILL NOT LET GO…to the ends of the earth."

Now I know that I have no control over the course of this other person's life, and not much influence over their faith.

But God, who loves them way more than I do, knows all about them. Knows intimately about this deep valley, this dark place where they are walking.  Because He is there with them – whether they feel Him or not.

And I know the truth – the Truth – that God will not let go of His child. He will never turn His back on them, He will bring them through this time – He will walk them through the refining fire into their purpose, His purpose, on the other side.

I know because God told me.

"I WILL NOT LET GO."


May these words from HIS Word comfort and strengthen you, as they have done for my weary and heavy-laden heart as I apply them to my dear struggling friend:


"From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never defeated me." (Psalm 129:2)

"'They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,' declares the LORD." (Jeremiah 1:19, NIV)

"From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed.  Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me." (Psalm 61:2, 3)

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom." (Isaiah 40:28, NIV)

"I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand." (John 10:28-29)

"And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day."  (John 6:39)


Yes indeed – the Creator OF the ends of the earth will go TO the ends of the earth to help us when we cry out to Him FROM the ends of the earth.

And though the gates of hell itself may come up against His children, not one will ever be lost.


Praise His glorious name.


What promise has God spoken to you lately?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"


14 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon,

    Thank you for sharing this. Pleased you are more settled.

    Sometimes, it is hard for us to let go and let God be God, if you know what I mean.

    God Bless - Nita.

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  2. Miss you. Glad you are more at home there.

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  3. So glad to hear you are adapting Sharon! I'm sure fall on the mountain is splendid to experience! I love how God gave you those words and comfort to let you know that he won't let go of your friend during their wilderness time. It is comforting indeed!

    betty

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  4. Wonderful message in your words...I have missed them...

    "The "walking out" of that faith is also an individual journey."...so true...sometimes "hands off" and "knees down" is the only thing needed...

    The past few weeks the Lord has promised... "I am with you"

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  5. Hi Sharon, great to hear you're settling in and your post was a wonderful dose of encouragement. God knows just how to speak a word to us to reassure and settle us.

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  6. Thank you, Sharon! Your words truly encouraged me! I, too, have someone (someones) dear to me who I see drifting. I pray for them daily and know that the Lord loves them even more than I do. This verse from your post really spoke to me this morning: "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand." (John 10:28-29) Praise God!! I am so thankful! No one and nothing can snatch them away from our Father. Thank you again, Sharon, for your encouraging words!

    Blessings, Joan

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  7. That is SO GOD!! What a wonderful message...one I needed to hear today.
    Thank you Sharon for sharing your resounding God moment!
    His WORD is life!
    He sees us...and knows just what we need.
    God Bless you!
    Julie

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  8. My heart raced as I read this one. I loved it, and I want to copy down those verses and commit them to my heart. Since I'm pretty sure that I'm a one of the Aarons or Hurs helping you lift the rod for your fighter in battle, this one really touched my heart.

    As a mother, it was something I really needed in general.
    I. Will. Not. Let. Go.


    So good to see your heart speaking in blog land this morning.

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  9. I'm glad you are starting to adjust to your new surrounding. It sounds so beautiful to me. As I say each time i visit, "thank you"...for this topic, for your honesty...for sharing the honest truth about God's word to us. I too have felt "the enemy taunting me"...but I am learning to stand on the Rock of my salvation.

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  10. Wow Sharon, I felt I was right there sitting at your kitchen table...while you shared. I know the feeling of hearing God's coordinated WORDS! These are the times that I build an altar - to remember how very much He cares about everything that concerns me. I feel your struggle. Yes I have many friends and family that I have given to God. The spiritual warfare is mighty. But the Lord will not let go! I needed to hear those words today. thank you for sharing your struggles and how your faith in God has pulled you through. I identify in so many ways with your sharing. This was very real for me.

    loved all those scriptures. saving them for reminders. powerful reminders of His unending love....to the ends of the earth....He will not let go.

    blessings to you, sharon
    Patrina <")>><

    Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark

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  11. Inspiring and encouraging words. This is my first visit to your blog. I will have to look around and get to know you better. :-) I love the mountains, and wish I were living on one.

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  12. I will no let go...encouraging words to me, too.

    So thankful you are adjusting to your new home.

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  13. What an intercessor and gift your are to your friend! God's faithfulness to you encourages me--to listen for his voice, to keep asking and to intercede for others.
    Blessings to you.

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  14. I am so glad t hear you are settling in. I can only imagine how hard it must be being so far from someone you feel needs you. But everyone does have their own journey and must make their own choices in the end. I will pray for your friend that God will take them by the hand and not let go.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)