May He Increase

Posted By Joe on July 10, 2009

The winds of change suddenly gusted on Thursday and blew hard against my house. While I knew my employment had been hanging over a precipice for almost seven months, a word of finality came down. I have to make a decision by Friday, July 17. I have to figure out which is the lesser of two evils because either one is going to hurt.

And so each day this week has been testing. For what feels like the first time in my life, I'm really having to hold on tightly to the promises of God and His Word; to put my faith where my mouth is, as it were.

I give glory to God for several signs He gave me this week (can I get a witness!):

• Within an hour of getting on my knees, begging to hear from Him with all this work stuff, I get an email from Jentezen Franklin. Not a personal email that he wrote just to me, but the contents were clearly heaven sent. Examples:
  • "I believe God has an incredible job just for you."
  • "No matter what the odds, you can accomplish your divine assignment."
  • "Start where you are. At times we all wish for different circumstances. But if you are going to change your future, you must begin pursuing God's dreams for your life from where you are."
  • "Use what you have. Don't focus on the resources you don't have. Begin using the talents, ideas, gifts and passions that you do have. Whatever you offer is more than enough in God's hands." (Emphasis mine.)
  • "Do what you can and God will do what you can't."
  • "Hold on to the dream God has given you, no matter the odds. Keep dreaming!"
• The day before we had inklings that there would be some decisions made on our jobs, I saw a position on my Monster job search emails for a business writing position. At first I thought it was just like the many I'd seen before. Once I clicked on it and saw the posting I realized how wrong I was. It seems tailor-made for my talents and abilities. Although it's not directly a "ministry" job, it would allow me to develop my writing portfolio. Please keep this job posting in prayer.
• Related to the aforementioned position, the hiring manager is a retired, ordained, Presbyterian minister!
• My parents have a good friend who is a retired judge. They called him to see if he wouldn't mind reviewing my résumé and cover letter since this would be a career change. After looking them over, he said he wouldn't change a thing. High praise, indeed! I'm humbled. He also suggested that if this position that I'm applying for doesn't work out, I need to continue to pursue writing.
• Lastly, through a recent podcast, I was lead to Psalm 91 (today's study below).

Through all this, it has become abundantly clear that God has chosen to speak to me through these people and communications. God will use whatever method He sees fit to get His message across.

Security in the Character of God

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!" --Psalm 91:1-2.

Where do I place my trust and security? In employment? In money? No! In God alone.

Security in the Care of God

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinion, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that files by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not approach you. You will only look on with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. --Psalm 91:3-8.

Although our situation is precarious, I finally just asked my wife today: "What's the worst that can happen? We lose it all? We lose our home? So what? Does it matter?" Honestly, what we stand to lose are things. We cannot lose our salvation. We only stand to lose things that we cannot take with us anyway!

The Blessings of Security -- God's Protection

For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place. No evil will befall you, nor will any plague come near your tent. For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard your in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands, that you do not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down. --Psalm 91:9-13.

Interestingly, Satan tried to use part of these verses against Jesus in Matthew 4:6. However, Satan left out the last part of Psalm 91:11, "to guard you in all your ways," which didn't suit his purpose as he tempted Jesus. As believers, we are under God's divine protection. This does not mean we do not suffer, however. It does not mean we won't go through trials, either. But we can be secure knowing that God has a plan for our life and it's a plan for good (Jeremiah 29:11).

The Blessings of Security -- God's Love

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation." --Psalm 91:14-16.

Out of this whole Psalm, verses 14-16 are my favorites. This is God speaking (notice the capitals in "My" and "Me"). It's actually God's response to the psalmist's assertions in verses 1-13. If we will do verses 1-13, God will do verses 14-16. May you experience God's love, care and provision for your life today and always.

May He Increase!

Categories: Jeremiah, Matthew, Psalms
Tags: angels, faith, hope, love, obedience, Prayer, security, suffering, testimony, trials, trust, truth, wisdom