December 10 - His way

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck....I am worn out calling for help, my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God” - Psalm 69:1,3

This text comes to mind as I watch footage on TV of rising flood waters in Cumbria and Lancashire. Storm Desmond has done it's worst and devasted villages, hamlets and towns. Desperate people now left to pick up the pieces and reconstruct their lives.

In our daily lives, emotionally, we often feel as though the waters have risen to our necks and we are sinking fast. We scan the horizon for the faintest sign of rescue – nothing. We feel cornered, desperate. We are in good company, because down through the centuries, many of God's people have felt the same. We are not the first, and certainly will not be the last to go through these ordeals.

Whenever we are tempted to throw a fit or tantrum because we can't cope – our world has gone awry, we need to remember the principle proposed by Joni Eareckson Tada – stop whining and dining.

Stop whining: our complaints are so loud we can't hear God's voice of calm, saying 'Take five.' The voice that has shaken mountains is dulled by our negative spirit....we don't hear His comfort, or His solution to our problems, we're so full of self pity.

Stop dining: O, how many of us know this solution! The problem barrier descends, disaster threatens, and out come the biscuits, cakes and chocolates We work feverishly to sort things out under our own steam....it doesn't work! The ordeal goes on, and we are left bloated and defeated.

What are we whining and dining on? God is waiting for us to end it, then He will intervene with quietness and strength – the crisis passes – God has His way, and all things work together for good

Let's see it for ourselves today!

“It Won't Rain Always" (LIVE)” is the assurance to be found in our music today.