As an act of complete reliance on God’s provision, yesterday I formally chose to take a layoff–effective this Friday–rather than going part-time.
Neither option was good. Going part-time means no guarantee in hours if there is no work. So in my estimation, I chose the lesser of two evils. Part of me isn’t overly concerned (Matthew 6:34) but then there is the other half waging war against my spirit.
God is either in complete control of my life, or He’s not. Period. End of story.
He that created the universe, loves me!
He that parted the Red Sea for Israel, loves me!
He that brought down the walls of Jericho, loves me!
He that came down and dwelt among us as a man, loves me!
He that turned water into wine, loves me!
He that called the storm at sea, loves me!
He that casts out demons, made the blind see, and the lame walk, loves me!
He that died for my sins and rose on the third day, loves me!
He that is coming again in glory, according to all that is written of Him in the Bible, loves me!
Why, then … how then … should I fear?
I was lead to 2 Kings, chapter 3. The passage is about Jehoram’s battle against Moab. (As a side note into the historicity of the tale, in 1868, the Moabite Stone was discovered. It describes the revolt talked about in 2 Kings 3.) The three kings going to battle against Moab go to the prophet Elisha to inquire of the Lord. Elisha is somewhat distracted and irritable at the occasion so he calls for a musician to calm his nerves, as it where.
“But now bring me a minstrel.” And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. –2 Kings 3:15.
This simple, unnamed minstrel was used by God to accomplish a military victory for Israel. A musician! I missed this detail for so long. I took great comfort in this passage being a guitar player myself. For far too long I have dismissed that talent as something that God really can’t use. How foolish of me!
He said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’ For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts. This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord; He shall also give the Moabites in to your hand.’” –2 Kings 3:16-18.
These passages completely blew me away. For starters, I love how God doesn’t just make it easy on them. They have to prepare for the blessing of God. God makes them dig trenches in the desert. Can you imagine that? You’re in a desert land, you’re tired, hot, and thirsty, but God asks you to dig trenches before He will make it rain! How I’m going through this right now in my life! God isn’t going to just rain down blessings, He’s asking me to prepare for them by seeking new employment in faith that He will provide. This follows right in line with Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:26. We aren’t going to starve or die just because I’m losing a job. God will supernaturally take care of us through normal means by being faithful in looking for work.
Moreover, my favorite part of this passage is: “this is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord.” Our problems–though they appear insurmountable to us–are but slight things to God. It’s no big deal. He created the universe! He rose from the dead! That’s not to say He doesn’t care, but they are nowhere near insurmountable to Him!
Digging the ditches are necessary for God to rain down blessing. Otherwise we’d think we could snap our fingers and God would act. Digging ditches teach us to wait on the Lord in faith. Otherwise we’d think that we could do everything ourselves and not depend upon Him. Digging ditches gets us lower to the ground and causes us to humble ourselves. Otherwise pride enters the picture and God hates a proud heart. Digging ditches makes God’s blessings that much sweeter because we value them more.
But there is one blessing that you don’t need to dig a ditch for. That’s His love for you. That’s a love so deep that He went to the cross to pay the debt that you cannot work yourself out of. That’s the love everyone needs and I invite you to experience that love right now! Don’t wait another moment.
May He Increase!
Brother, let me tell you about God’s faithfulness. I was out of work for eight long months, and My Fair Lady stayed at home with the lil’ Wall Watchers at the time.
We had nothing! Not even naval lint.
Yet, somehow, with family, love and a lot of prayer we bathed in nightly, God did it. I am gainfully employed at a place that bewilders me how great it is. M’Lady had to get a gig, but is back at home.
Dig those ditches, Holmes. Roll up the sleeves because a blessing is coming. I’m praying for you.
Peace, HiScrivener
HiScrivener! God bless you, my brother, for your comment. You really made my day with your humor and your encouragement. To God be the glory for His faithfulness! He will not leave us nor forsake us!
I covet your prayers, brother. Thank you.
Joe,
I feel for you, Joe, and I will be praying that you will get another job, an even better job.
Those blessings you mentioned are surely there. All of the hardships we go through are blessings (they sure don’t seem like it!)
When St. Paul was beaten, and jailed, and run from town to town…he called it “a blessing”.
I hope and pray that the Lord strengthens you and your family and uses you for His purposes during this tough time.
Steve, thank you for your words of encouragement. I am blessed to have many new brothers and sisters in Christ since starting up the blog in January. God knows all things and I know that He has prepared me for this time. There is a blessing on the other side, however long it takes.
Thanks for your visit and your prayers, my brother!
I’m glad you are posting about this Joe. When the Lord takes you where he wants you….you will look back on this and be amazed. I love reading about the life of “Joseph”…..hmm sounds like Joe to me!
Ike, my wife and I were just talking about how everything we are going through right now might seem like chaos, but it really isn’t. If we stand back and look at everything that is happening, we can see God’s hand. Although we may not understand “why,” we are trusting that the “how” is by His hand. Our trials are “Father-filtered” and we don’t need to know anything more.
It then dawned on me with regard to my layoff tomorrow . . . I believe that I’ve been sitting around for far too long. I believe I’ve been standing on the high dive, too afraid to jump off. God has already taught me how to swim, I just haven’t been willing to really jump off. So what does God do? Just like a loving Father who wants to see His child grow and mature, He pushes me off the diving board and tells me “kick! Swim! I’ve taught you and you know how. Trust Me!”