WHEN MEN REASON WRONGLY

"And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved" (Psalm 30:6, KJV)

Life can be most deceptive. When times are difficult, even the heathen cry out to God for help. The pagan mariners on Jonah's boat cried out "every man unto his god" when the waves swamped the vessel (Jonah 1:5). Even though men cried out to God "in their trouble, and He delivered them in their distresses," the Living God lamented, "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psa 107:6-8). Well, what of the times when things appear to be good, safe, and blessed?

David once spoke of a tendency that is resident in human nature. It is a trait that must be subdued in the power of the Spirit. "When I felt secure, I said, "I will never be shaken" (NIV). Peace and prosperity, the coveted twins of human experience, are often very deceptive. They tend to lull our hearts into sleep, and cause us to imagine we are no longer subject to difficulty. Many a believer has sensed the hedge God has placed about him, but has been blissfully unaware that the devil was making request for God to let it down. O, that men were more able to see behind the scenes. They would soon dismiss such vain confidence.

Those living by faith will not allow an ease in their circumstances to cause them to imagine they will never be moved or shaken. While apparent victory is a glorious thing, it is not the only experience those have who live by faith. They are "more than conquerors," but NOT because they never endure hardship. The best within the body of Christ have readily acknowledged they were "troubled on every side . . . perplexed . . . persecuted . . . and cast." Even though such great waves of trouble assaulted them, they confessed they were "not distressed . . . not in despair . . . not forsaken . . . and not destroyed." (2 Cor 4:8-9). Satan's intent was not realized, and thus they triumphed. Their mastery, however, was in the midst of trouble, not in exclusion from it.

God gets glory out of such a situation. It is at once obvious that the secret of victory is not in our own strength or intelligence. Although we bear the "image of God," we cannot do without Him. Do not imagine that an untroubled life will long continue! It would not be good for us if it did. Nor, indeed, ought we to be hasty to assert we will never be moved. Our stability is owing to our faith, not our strength. Too, it is a trait of God to put us in deep water so we can learn we are not as good at swimming as we may think.

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ teach me of my own frailty and of Your matchless power. Both are more significant than I presently perceive.

-- Monday, New Series: THIS ONE THING --