Wednesday, December 18, 2013

How Much Can You Handle?

                                                         How Much Can You Handle?
                                         
     Jeremiah 12:5  If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?


     A luminous contrast has been stumbled upon by the ever faithful prophet Jeremiah.  Appearances have cast the perspective that the righteous are always troubled and the wicked do continually prosper. Thus the prophet has fallen prey to the timeless trap of questioning the Almighty of Creation.  God's response is as following in our text.  It is in a question Jehovah answers the slumping faith of the prophet.  It is always more meaningful when we self-indict by searching for inward answers.  When others indict us we seethe in anger at the accusation, yet when we mine this diamond from the coal ourselves, it becomes a impacting reality.

     "Jeremiah.", God asks.  "If you cannot outrun fellow men, why would you race the horses?"  Such sobering truth here is revealed.  If we cannot endure to victory through the lesser things of life, then how are we ready for the mightier things?  We endure only that in which we can handle. God is faithful to ensure to us more grace than trouble.  If we wish to increase our influence and scope, let us then ask Him for more strength.  Surely we must grow stronger than the footman if we are to race with the horse.  
     Again, a co-equal question looms in the ears of the weeping prophet.  "Jeremiah."  God asks.  "If you are troubled in your own land which is in peace, then when true danger comes as the swelling Jordan, (whose flooding banks destroyed cities) how can you hold up?"  Again God's all knowing wisdom brings us into an often disregarded reality.  If we faint at adversity our strength is small.  If we cower at terror, our faith is only faintly smoldering. 

      May we reverse this walk of weakness in God's grace.  As we came to Him freely for salvation, let us come freely to Him for grace in the time of need.  His word is meat in which our spiritual parts are nourished and do recover.  His Spirit is our inner coach that conforms us to His word.  His presence is the rewarding joy that strengthens our resolve.  May we run to Him that holds all things in His hands, and we shall soon find that we excel against the horses.  Though the river should rage and defy the boundaries set for it, we should not quiver, only hold onto our unwavering faith in Christ.  Let no man think he may acquire this strength from determination but only from the Lord.  Such determination serves us well only in this way, that we are determined to stay in fellowship with Him.  Abide in Him, so that His strength may abide in you!  Though it may take time for the Potter to fashion the clay, remain true, His finished work with you will be greatly rewarding.