BBD 08.25.08 When East Looks like West
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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08.25.08
When East Looks like West
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and
teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. -
Psalm 25:4-5.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the
Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the
eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the
Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than
gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great
reward. - Psalm 19:7-11.
About ten years ago I was blessed with the opportunity to preach at a church
in Capitola, California. We greatly enjoyed our visit and have many great
memories of our time there. Capitola is located on the Monterey Bay with the
Pacific ocean stretching out to the west as far as the eye can see - at
least that's what I thought. But strangely enough when we were taking some
photos prior to leaving, we noticed that the early morning sun was rising in
the west! It had to be the west didn't it, because the sun was rising over
the Pacific Ocean which had to be in the west didn't it?
Jeanie had her directions confused the whole time she was in Capitola but I
always thought I knew which way I was going because the ocean was always in
the west. Suddenly, I realized that what I had considered to be west, what I
felt to be west, could not be west. It had to be east! As I have looked at a
map of the Monterey Bay the land wraps around so that in the area we were at
the ocean actually was to the east.
I felt like the ocean was to the west. It looked like the ocean lay out to
the west. In my mind I knew that the ocean had to be in the west. But the
truth was that I was wrong. Even though it felt right, it looked right and
my knowledge said it was right, I was still wrong. The truth was different
from what my human emotions, sight and knowledge said was right.
Much of the Christian experience is similar. I may not feel like I am saved.
I may not look like I have been born again and human wisdom would say that
it is not possible but the Bible says in John 1:12, "But as many as received
Him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on His name."
The Christian disciplines of prayer, Bible study and church attendance seem
like a waste of time to the human non-Christian mind. To the non-Christian
those things do not look like they could possibly be of any value. The
non-Christian does not feel anything good when they think about praying, or
reading the Bible, or going to church. But for the children of God, we know
the truth is, that in those resources of God we find immense value.
Even as Christians, at times we feel like we cannot go on when faced with
difficult circumstances. Those circumstances look overwhelming and our mind
tells us there is no way so we might as well give up. The truth as Paul
would tell us is, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me
(Philippians 4:13)."
The next time east looks like west we need to get out our compass, the Word
of God, and determine what is the real truth of the situation.
Copyright © 2008. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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