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The Devotional Diva - Finding versus Failing
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The Devotional Diva - Finding versus Failing
By Barbara Gobbs
Executive Assistant and Ministry Partner - Pocket Full of Change Ministries
“You shall remember all the ways which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart whether you would keep His commandments or not.” Deut. 8:2 (NAS95)
Last week I was sick. Monday was a migraine day. Tuesday, I was tired. By Wednesday, I felt weaker, which worked into that horrid flu feeling. Thursday I was flat on my back. Friday, I was still feverish. Then Saturday, still feeling the flu affects – another migraine appeared for an encore. Can you feel my pain?
Obviously on Sunday, I wasn’t in much shape to be seen out in public. Still coming out of a Nyquil coma and off migraine med’s, I also developed one of those icky coughs that make people want to spray you down with Lysol. So I worshipped from the sofa.
Dr. Mac Brunson, the pastor - First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, sermons are broadcast on Sunday so I while I missed some fellowship and so others could miss my germs, I didn’t miss a word from the Lord.
Dr. Brunson spoke on the covenant God made with Abraham and some of the tests He allowed Israel to experience. Such as, at the first Passover where blood had to be placed on the door mantels so the angel of death would pass over. He described that as a test to see if the people would really believe that the blood of an innocent lamb could save them. Very interesting, I’m listening.
Soon thereafter, he made one of those “stuck in my craw” statements that stuck in my craw, my mind and my heart. From Deut. 8:2, he quoted, “He humbled you, testing you, to know what was in your heart.” Dr. Mac was quick to point out that God didn’t test the people so He could tell what was in their hearts, God already knows the heart, but the test was so the people would know what was in their hearts. The test was so the people would find something in the test. Ummm……..
With that fresh thought, the hamster wheels starting turning and I soon made a finding of my own. You see, I hate to fail a test. Since I was a kid, it had been ingrained in me that with homework and tests, failure was not an option. However retrospect, I really don’t care right now that my 8th grade art teacher thought I was a failure among other things. But when the test comes from God, pass or fail takes on a whole new meaning. The pressure not to fail becomes too intense for words.
But what if…… what if I agreed with God that I’ve already failed! Can I still blame Eve for this one? After all, I am not perfect and sin has taken a dent out of any perfection I would like to obtain – at least on this side of glory. Fortunately, my failure is covered by Christ’s completed work on Calvary.
So why subject myself to spiritual torture during the tests God allows my way - worrying if I will pass or FAIL! In all honesty, I will not pass every test. Of course, I will not fail every one either. But what if I find something from God even in my failures? If I discover one thing about myself or my heavenly Teacher that He can use in my life – have I really failed? Perhaps the only real failure is when I choose not to finish a test.
My thoughts on this continued all through Sunday and even into today. I actually want this stuck in my craw for a long time. The principle is vaguely familiar. Is it possible I’ve heard this before? Have I taught this before? Maybe I’ve been so busy lately trying not to fail (or even fall) that I’ve forgotten to “find.”
What about you? Is your plate mentally full, like mine? Can’t make sense out of some of the things coming your way – so you feel like your failing? If so, I guess we’re in the same boat. Yet, Jesus is our hope, our rest. So let’s put down the pencils. Nope, we’re not quitting the tests before us. We’re just going to take a little rest and see what we can “find” in Christ to help us finish. With His guidance, we’ll find that nugget of wisdom and diamond of direction. Remember “Seek and ye shall find!” In that we can never fail!
Love, Barbara
Barbara Gobbs is a ministry partner with and the Executive Assistant of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information, to schedule a speaker for an event, or to request a newsletter, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden, Publicist at 904 316-5462. This ministry is supported by donations. If this ministry helps you or others, and God calls you to help support this work, you can make a donation to Pocket Full of Change Ministry at POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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