Oppressed
Genesis chapter 16 verses 6-9.
"You have my permission to punish the girl as you see fit," Abram replied. So Sarai beat her and she ran away. The Angel of the Lord found her beside a desert spring along the road to Shur. The Angel said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?" Hagar replied, "I am running away from my mistress." The Angel said, "Return to your mistress and act as you should, for I will make you a great nation."
We are so oppressed by the circumstances of our lives. Sometimes we just want to run away and escape from our troubles. The pressures of growing up. Relationships that fail. Arguments over misplaced words. Getting along so that you an have a job. Meeting the standards of others and trying so hard to live up to the expectations of those in charge.
Where do you hide? In order to have a job we need to have a clear mind. But that's hard after a night of drowning your woes. In order to speak properly and get along with others, you need to be sober and free of anger. Bitterness has to be overcome quickly. Stifle it, even when you are in the wrong.
King David in Psalms chapter 54 was depressed about his enemies constantly attacking him, verse 2 says, "Oh listen to my prayer, give ear to the words of my mouth."
It will be in our time of overwhelming trouble that we step outside our box of control and call out to Jesus for help. When that happens hopefully the circumstances forever change your life as you let Jesus in.
Yesterday I heard someone talking about the picture of Jesus standing at a door. The door had no handle on the outside, meaning that it could only be opened from the inside. The idea of the picture is to represent Jesus waiting for you to open the door and let Him in. You may not even know He is waiting for you to do that until that day comes when you can't do it any longer on your own. It's all about others and your life with Jesus.
In Mark chapter 10 verses 43-45 Jesus tells the disciples, "Among you it is different. Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever wants to be greatest of all must be the slave of all. For even I, the Messiah, am not here to be served, but to help others, and to give My life as a ransom for many."
That was hard for me to accept. I wanted to have what God was offering but at what expense? The reasons may seem silly to you but our reasons for doing the things we do in life very rarely make any sense anyway. They are really our excuses to keep control over the things that happen and how we feel so that we are the ones who have some sort of input into what goes on. Are you ready to let Jesus take the wheel?
That means you will no longer be turning this way or that way with out first watching which way He is going to take you. Trust is gained, blind trust is believing that you will be led safely, with understanding and confidence.
In John chapter 15, Jesus talks about how people would not know their sins if He had not brought their attention to them. People could just continue to go about their lives without having any thoughts of doing wrong. And that is sad, for when things are wrong where do they turn to if they do not know who Jesus is and what He can do for them?
You want to fit in and get along with others but the circumstances of your life have left you hesitant. You want to be left alone, and then at the same time you do not want to be left alone. You miss what you do not have any longer and wish there was something new that could help you understand and get along.
Jesus says in John chapter 15, "I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Live within My love.
By seeking after Jesus and looking for peace and understanding, you will find how His love will touch your life. God is all powerful and He wants your love. That is why He is there for the oppressed. The ones who after all sorts of struggling and confusion finally call upon Jesus.
Instead of making up your own answers, look for the guidance you need. God's plan is for you to walk with Jesus and by doing so, you will find God's love.
Malachi chapter 3 says, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so that there will be food enough in My Temple; if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won't have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!"
What an amazing way to put a smile on your face. We are the gift that has come to God. Oppressed by our worries and anxieties, there came a point when you decided to call upon Jesus and ask for God's help. He heard your prayer and is more than welcome to help you. In fact you will see His wonderful love for you.
True joy in life comes with understanding the ways and reasons things happen as they do. Jesus has given His life as a final sacrifice so that we can come to God and have life with Him. Let the joy of life that comes with knowing God, be the joy of your life with Jesus and the Holy Spirit who gives you forever peace.
Thank You Father for Jesus. I always did what I thought was best. Wow! was I wrong. Thank you for hearing our prayers.😊
Romans chapter 3 verses 20-22.
Now do you see it? No one can ever be made right in God's sight be doing what the law commands. For the more we know of God's laws , the clearer it becomes that we are not obeying them; His laws serve only to make us see that we are sinners. But now God has shown us a different way to heaven---not by "being good enough" and trying to keep His laws, but by a new way. Now God says He will accept and acquit us--- declare us "Not guilty"---if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins.
Isaiah chapter 45 verses 9 and 10.
Woe to the man who fights with his Creator. Does the pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with him who forms it, saying, "Stop , you're doing it wrong!" or the pot exclaim, "How clumsy can you be!"? Woe to the baby just being born who squalls to his father and mother, "Why have you produced me? Can't you do anything right at all?
Proverbs chapter 3 verses 21-26.
Have two goals: wisdom---that is, knowing and doing right---and common sense. Do not let them slip away, for they fill you with living energy, and are a feather in your cap. They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling of the trail. With them on guard you can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you; He protects you.
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