ROCK and a HARD PLACE

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

ARE YOU SEEKING?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Isaiah 43:1-3 NCV

He says, "Don't be afraid, because I have saved you.

I have called you by name, and you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

When you cross rivers, you will not drown.

When you walk through fire, you will not be burned,

nor will the flames hurt you.

3 This is because I, the Lord, am your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

The title heading for this passage from Peterson’s Message is called, “Between a rock and hard place.”

And we all have been there a time or two haven’t we?

It makes me think of that scene from Harrison Ford’s movie “The Fugitive”. He is falsely accused and running from the US Marshals and Tommy Lee Jones has him trapped against the top of the spill-way water-fall. His choices are to jump over the edge or be taken back to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

That is being caught between a rock and hard place for sure.

Honestly we all have times where life plops us smack-dab in the middle of rocks and hard places more often than we like. You know, those tough times where there seems to be “no way out” or our choices are limited at best.

But even on our darkest days, we must remember that God’s love remains constant; that the promises of Isaiah 43 are true.

Like the old song says:

“God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way

He works in ways we cannot see

He will make a way for me

He will be my guide

Hold me closely to His side

With love and strength

For each new day

He will make a way”

We all encounter adversity. The fact that we experience it is not nearly as important as the way we choose to deal with it.

I was working with a couple this weekend and over and over again, that quote from John Maxwell kept coming back to mind.

“ Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react to it ” ― John Maxwell

And that is so true!

When tough times arrive, we have a clear choice: we can begin the difficult work of tackling our troubles . . . or not. Truth is when we summon the courage to look our adversity squarely in the eye, he usually blinks. And if you don’t think you can do that, think again!

2 Timothy 1:7

New Life Version (NLV)

⁷ For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.

As believers, we know and must remember that God loves us and that He will protect us. In times of hardship, He will comfort us; in times of sorrow, He will dry our tears. When we are troubled, weak, or sorrowful, God is always with us. We must be quick to count on the ROCK that cannot be shaken. (PETRA/CHRIST- right Pastor Mark?)

So when troubles come, when the rock is pressing on one side and you heels are dangling off the edge of the cliff, remember.

Isaiah 43 (MSG)

…When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you.

When you're in rough waters, you will not go down.

When you're between a rock and a hard place,

it won't be a dead end—

Because I am God, your PERSONAL God,

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney