Will This Move You?
By Robin Martinez
But none of these things move me .... Acts 20:24
As I heard the trials Susan, our speaker, had recently faced, I remembered a life-changing sermon I heard several years ago, based upon this verse in Acts.
The visiting pastor spoke of several very difficult trials he had endured. And as he faced each one—as he cried out to God, not understanding—it was as if God Himself asked, "Will this move you? Is this the incident that will cause you to turn away from Me because I am not fulfilling your expectations? Is this the straw that will break the camel's back, or the disciple's faith?"
As he made his final journey to Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul stopped in Ephesus to encourage the elders. While there, he briefly recounted some of his history—trials and tribulations from the hands of the Jews whom he loved—and he knew that he had more of the same ahead (verse 23). Yet none of these things moved Paul away from his single-minded faithfulness to Christ. Beatings, imprisonment, possible health problems, rejection, false accusations. None of these could deter Paul from loving Jesus whole-heartedly and from passionately sharing the good news of Jesus with anyone and everyone!
As Christians, we will all face a time when we don't understand what God is doing or why. And truthfully, I wouldn't have it any other way! If I, who cannot understand how to program the VCR, could understand God, He wouldn't be much of a deity, now would He?
Health issues, shattered relationships, unfulfilled expectations and dreams, unwanted life situations. These issues can be life-altering. But they needn't be faith-altering. Will events and circumstances cause you and me to be moved from the Rock? Or like Susan, will we trust Him enough to surrender our will and our self?
Bless the Lord, who is my rock. He gives me strength for war and skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer. He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in Him (Psalm 144:1-2).
But none of these things move me .... Acts 20:24
As I heard the trials Susan, our speaker, had recently faced, I remembered a life-changing sermon I heard several years ago, based upon this verse in Acts.
The visiting pastor spoke of several very difficult trials he had endured. And as he faced each one—as he cried out to God, not understanding—it was as if God Himself asked, "Will this move you? Is this the incident that will cause you to turn away from Me because I am not fulfilling your expectations? Is this the straw that will break the camel's back, or the disciple's faith?"
As he made his final journey to Jerusalem, the Apostle Paul stopped in Ephesus to encourage the elders. While there, he briefly recounted some of his history—trials and tribulations from the hands of the Jews whom he loved—and he knew that he had more of the same ahead (verse 23). Yet none of these things moved Paul away from his single-minded faithfulness to Christ. Beatings, imprisonment, possible health problems, rejection, false accusations. None of these could deter Paul from loving Jesus whole-heartedly and from passionately sharing the good news of Jesus with anyone and everyone!
As Christians, we will all face a time when we don't understand what God is doing or why. And truthfully, I wouldn't have it any other way! If I, who cannot understand how to program the VCR, could understand God, He wouldn't be much of a deity, now would He?
Health issues, shattered relationships, unfulfilled expectations and dreams, unwanted life situations. These issues can be life-altering. But they needn't be faith-altering. Will events and circumstances cause you and me to be moved from the Rock? Or like Susan, will we trust Him enough to surrender our will and our self?
Bless the Lord, who is my rock. He gives me strength for war and skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my deliverer. He stands before me as a shield, and I take refuge in Him (Psalm 144:1-2).