Holding to His Promises - The Christian Online Magazine

The Christian Online Magazine -

My husband and I recently hooked up the old fishing boat and headed for a nearby lake for a day of peace and tranquility. Loaded with soft drinks, snacks, water, ice and plenty of bait we soon left the shore line, making our way up the lake as far as we could go. We then anchored in a little cove where fresh water falls were coming out of the mountains. What a beautiful sight it was to see the water flowing over the huge boulders each with it's own flow and unique sound. This little cove was a natural draw for the fish, they received food from all the natural life form coming through the rocks that they love to feed on, such as lizards, worms, bugs, etc.

I couldn’t keep my mind on fishing for taking in the the beautiful sight and thinking of the beauty provided freely by our Lord and His provision even for the fish and animals of the world. It was so peaceful and quiet in our little hide-a-way, my mind strayed from the fishing pole as I began to ponder on the things of God. I kept thinking of how He longs to make the same kind of provision for His children that He does for the wildlife and the fish, where there will be no want, and yet, we as His creation tend to worry so much about “HOW” He will provide for us, we often tie Gods hands while He is trying to open doors of opportunity. We say with our mouth that we are trusting God to meet our need and yet we are doing everything we can possibly do in the natural realm to make that need materialize. As long as we are trying to “fix” it ourselves we are taking God out of it and all that He could have and would have done is not possible, you see He is moved by our faith in “HIM”.

We fished in that peaceful serene place until evening shadows fell and then began to make our way back up the lake. The old boat motor kept sputtering and shutting off and for a few moments I felt a bit of fear and worry trying to cloud my mind. You see I am physically impaired right now, I am still recuperating from two major surgeries on my left hip, and I am currently walking on a walker. It was extremely difficult for me to get in the boat and only with my husbands encouragement was I able to go and enjoy the day, so here at the end of the day the enemy wanted me to be discouraged and dismayed. Remembering the promises of God in Matthew 18:18-20, I knew that my husband, God and I were three and that we were well able to handle the problem.

I began to pray earnestly, “Jesus let this little boat motor start and run the way it is supposed to. You know Lord, I can't even get out of this boat unless we are on dry land, so my life is most certainly in your hands.” This prayer and the promises were repeated several times as the boat sputtered and stopped and then ran smoothly as we rocked with the waves until we reached shore. As we neared the shore, the little boat once again started sputtering and stopping, but the same prayer and promises that were true coming up the Lake and the same God holding my hand was still there. Upon reaching shore, we found a good Samaritan, who helped my husband pull the old boat up to the van and trailer in the water where he was able to get hooked up for the journey home.

In a little while I was seated in our cozy Van with the air conditioner running, drinking a coke and thinking about God's provision for my safety and of course an occasional thought about the “Big Brown Trout” that got away. What a strange and magnificent day it had been, we didn't catch any fish but what a revelation of God's wonderful, loving care when we anchored our boat in His Haven of Rest and kept our hearts filled with His word as we Boldly stood upon His Promises..

(Isaiah 40:31) “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as the eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”

We as christians many times worry over such trivial things, including finances, health, family problems, etc. and sometimes never learn to trust in the Master who stands with arms outstretched bidding us come! He wants us to trust Him before we go to the Bank, the Doctor or the Counselor. If we would only learn to have faith in and trust Him more we would win so many spiritual and physical battles, not to mention all the money we could save paying professionals to do what God is willing to do for the asking.

(Matt. 11; 28,29) “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

Oh how often He longs to hold us and care for us and yet, we within ourselves can not or will not yield our worries and fears to Him. He has invited us to take His yoke upon us and to learn of Him, but so many times, we refuse to read His Word and to seek His face when trouble prevails. He offers Peace and Joy, but we are miserable because of Worry and Doubt. He feeds the birds, waters the flowers of the field, gave us His unconditional Word as His children yet we do not trust Him to take care of our problems, so we cling to them rather than relinquish them to the one who holds the world in the palm of His hand.

Folks, let's learn to let go of our problems, worries & fears and give them to Jesus, no matter how big they may seem to us, they are small to Him. We need the peace and joy that only He can bring. Let the Word lift your heavy burden today and bring you up out of the miry clay.

(Isaiah 41:13) I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

(Joel 3:10) “Let the weak say, I am strong.”