God Understands Our Needs

 

It may be difficult to release all the burdens that weigh heavily upon us. We know where to turn in times of distress and we know that we can trust God but sometimes life can be pretty upsetting and life can still bring unbearable circumstances.

 

Perhaps we don’t see God’s hand in the storms of life. It may not be recognized until after we go through the problems and the way becomes clear again. Then we can say, yeah, God was there all along!

 

So then we can say with assurance that amidst life’s trials is a God who cares and understands for each one of us. He loves us deeply and He died for us.

Each one of us can perhaps give God a list of burdens today. Each one of us will no doubt have a different list.

 

It’s what we do with the list is what counts. Do we trust God to help us? Do we wait long enough for the answers?…for relief? Psalm 91:14 says: “Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will rescue him, I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him.”

 

Perhaps we do call upon God with faith and assurance that He hears us. We must believe that He is our source of strength, peace and joy and power. When we offer worship and praise to God, and become His child He gives us His peace! Psalm 85:8 says: “I will listen to God the lord. He has ordered peace for those who worship Him!”

 

Psalm 91:15, 16 says: “I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

 

Wow! All that and peace too! God satisfies the faithful servants. If we are not satisfied then it must be on our part. We must remain firm in the faith…in whom we believe. God is always near to us. Let’s trust God more and more as our burdens grow deeper. Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield who take refuge in Him.”

 

In other words, what He says He will do. He will satisfy, He will give us peace, He will protect us, He does care about our needs. And He is more than able to give us relief from those burdens that weigh us down. We need to lay it at his feet, and leave it there!

Does Everyone Need a Time of Refreshing?

Scripture Reference: Luke 7:36 - 50

A woman just found out that Jesus was in town. She learned that He was a guest at a Pharisee’s house. So she decided to make her way there carrying  her best perfume. What do you suppose she was thinking as she walked toward that house? What did she have in mind? When she approached Jesus who was sitting there in the home as a guest, she fell beside Him, and began to weep and His feet became wet with her tears. Then she wiped His feet with her hair. She kissed His feet and poured perfume on them.

 

          I wondered what her motive was. It must have taken great courage to make that decision to go and visit the King of Kings, especially when all the townsfolk’s knew her reputation. So, what was her yearning all about? Jesus knew. He even explained it to the Pharisee and the other guests who had negative thoughts about her, teaching them a lesson at the same time, which we will learn a little later.

 

          Imagine the expression that must have been on their faces when she showered her affection on Jesus. They wondered if Jesus really knew what this woman was really like. The Pharisee in his own mind was testing Jesus credibility as a prophet. So he waited for a response from Jesus to see if he was going to acknowledge this woman.

 

          Of course Jesus knew this woman. He also knew the men who were sitting there…their thoughts. The Pharisee must have forgotten that part. Jesus was quick to point out that the woman’s expression of love and actions was far greater than that of the Pharisee. “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.”

(Like 7:44-4

 

          The Pharisee was hospitable in inviting Jesus to dinner and it very well may have been a three-course meal but the sinful woman did so much more. She brought expensive perfume, she wept in repentance, she gave herself to Him, and she met the Savior. He was the one she had heard who was coming to town that day!

 

          She must have heard that Jesus could offer something better than living a deliberate sinful life. She must have grown tired of her sinful ways. Perhaps she needed renewal and refreshment in her life. It was her intention to seek Jesus when she set out to meet Him. Her mind was made up. “I am going to change my bad habits,” she may have said. “I want to know what this Jesus can do for me,” she may have determined.

 

          Her experience that day was far greater than words can say. This woman whose name we do not know, was determined to find new life. She directed her attention totally to Jesus. She showered Him with love. She may have been prepared to repent of her sins but was she prepared to enter into the presence of the Almighty and loving God? So much that the encounter resulted in tears in place of words?

 

          Then the omnipotent Jesus forgave her of her sins. Jesus didn’t have to wait to be told by the Pharisee what kind of life this woman was living. The master knew her yearning heart. The Lord’s forgiveness was hers without question! Jesus said to the woman, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace!”

 

 

 

Copyright Jan Keats