But God

  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwijX74r7tk

Do You See What I See ~ Elevation Worship

 

…This is what the Lord says to you: “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” ~ 2 Chronicles 20:15 NIV

 

What do you see when you look at this picture? Art for a “Handle with Care” or “Fragile” poster. Permission to get new plates. Help with eating smaller portions. Broken relationships. Pain and scars. All of these are valid. I see a tagline and it read: “But God.”

 

I have had friendships and relationships that looked just like that plate: broken, separated, not put back together. Sadly, I allowed too many to stay that way. Some, however, I refused to let go and went back to God again, and again, until He changed the situation, me, or both, and made us stronger than ever.

 

How do we get from shattered to strengthened? Years ago, I read a story about Eastern European vase-makers. They create paper-thin vases and paint each one by hand. When the paint has dried, they pass it off to the next person, who drops the fragile vase into a metal box where it’s shattered into hundreds of pieces.

 

Why do you think they make the vases so fragile, then paint them, only to drop them? Why did Joseph tell his brothers, who intended to harm him, “Do not be afraid,” (Genesis 50:19). Why did Jahaziel say to King Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army,” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Why did Jeremiah say to the people of Israel, “Do not…be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them,” (Jeremiah 10:1). Because they knew victory was on the other side.

 

The vase-maker takes the broken pieces of the vase and then, painstakingly, glues the pieces back together. Why? As Paul said, “For when I am weak, then I am strong,” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NLT). When you break your leg or arm, the broken bone heals and is not likely to break again in that same place because it’s stronger after it’s been broken. The same is true with the vase. The vase-maker glued the broken pieces together but didn’t just leave them that way. Like Christ works all things for our good, the vase-maker covers the glue with gold paint to accentuate the strengthened places.

 

All the men who had encouraged others knew something about the situation:

·         Joseph: but God intended it for good, (Genesis 50:20).

·         Jahaziel: the battle is not yours, but God’s, (2 Chronicles 20:15).

·         Jeremiah: But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding, (Jeremiah 10:12).

As soon as we understand that “but” negates everything prior to that word, then, though our situation looks bleak, with no hope, God comes in to heal, strengthen, and accentuate the strengthened places. Because He’s no respecter of persons, what He’s done for others in the past, He’ll do for you in your present and future.

 

When you’re feeling defeated and think things are hopeless, remember:

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever, (Psalm 73:6 NIV).

©Heather Potts 2023

 

His Grander View

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrAdbH28gIg

Rattle! ~ Elevation Worship

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” ~ Genesis 15:1 NKJV

As a parent, I really dislike it when my kids whine, especially if it’s during or just after I’ve done something special for them. That’s how Genesis 15 opens. In the previous chapters, we read that the Lord promised Abram—and his offspring—large amounts of land, and how God helped Abram rescue Lot from several greedy and powerful kings. It was “After these things” that Abram whined that he still had no heirs and a servant would inherit everything, (Genesis 15:2-3).

But the Lord, who knows Abram is about to start whining at Him, isn’t bothered. In fact, He opens Genesis 15 by giving Abram three promises:

1)      Do not be afraid – I AM with you, I know your desires and needs, and I remember the promises I gave you

2)      I AM your shield – I AM your defense and protection

3)      I AM your exceedingly great reward – I’m able to give you more than you could ever imagine

Throughout this pandemic, God has protected and provided for us. And still, there have been times that I’ve whined to Him…just like Abram did. When Abram whined, God didn’t yell. Instead, He pulled Abram outside—out of his tiny viewpoint—and showed him the much grander picture.

That’s exactly what God does with us. He says, “Don’t worry about the job you want and need, the friends and family you’re missing, or the birthday and graduation celebrations that have been delayed. Step out here with Me and look! Look at what I AM doing and will do in and through you.”

If you’ve been struggling with what you don’t have and are missing, ask the Lord to help you get outside of your tent and look at His bigger picture. Remember, God is your shield, your exceedingly great reward, and you don’t have to be afraid.

©Heather Potts 2020