Contending with the Creator

Contending with the Creator?

There are things we face and go through that are beyond our abilities. Sure, we may be able to withstand for a time but inevitably our own strength fades. During these times we often think we can handle the situation better than God.

"Woe to the crown of pride" Isaiah 28:1 Only pride could cause our hearts to swell in such a grievous way!  Are we really stronger than He, smarter than He or wiser than He? God forbid, NO!!! Yet this is exactly what we act like when we butt heads with Him and what He wants for us.

In Job 41 the Lord questions Job about the great Leviathan; his strength, wickedness and ability to devour anything. Vs 34 says, "... he is the king over all the children of pride." In essence he's asking Job, what can you do with such evil? Can you defeat it?

Basically the Lord showed Job how weak we really are as well as how limited our knowledge and understanding is in comparison to God. Even the most vile and wretched creature is no match for the God we serve.

"Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not." Job 42:1-3

Sometimes we need reminded too. I encourage you to read Job 38-42. Who are we to question the Creator and His capabilities? We are but dust! There's nothing He cannot do! He is greater than we are by far, for He can do everything! Will we struggle in our out strength and attempt to contend with God or come to trust His capabilities far exceed our own?

The cause to call on Christ

He's still the Saviour in the storm... the cause to call on Christ

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Mark 4:37-40

Can you picture being here? Wow, what an incredible scene, right? Can you see past this event to circumstances you might be facing? Does your faith teeter with new developments or changes in intensity?

When these men focused on the storm, they allowed doubt in! What did they ask Jesus, "Master, Don't you care if we die!?!" (paraphrased) Doubt is opposite of faith and it grimly causes us to question Christ! Notice He was with them the whole time and when they called on Him, He answered!

Jesus didn't beat around the bush, He knew they had seen Him do many miraculous things. He was right in saying, "how is it that you have no faith?"

Since He is unchanging, we know He still speaks "peace be still" to our life's storms. Are we calling on Him in faith, trusting and believing He is able or are we doubtfully questioning His care, concern and capabilities?

The fight against the false witness

Have you ever had to deal with a "false witness"?

"A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." Proverbs 25:18

Think how destructive these weapons are! A 'maul' or mallet breaks, a sword separates and a sharp arrow pierces!

"A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies." Proverbs 14:5

Safe to say then a false witness reflects the character of Satan. Doesn't he "come to steal, kill and destroy"? (John 10:10) It's also a byproduct of the heart's evil state (Matthew 15:19).

Truth is, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." Proverbs 19:5 The Lord God has a lot to say about such malicious slander! Why? He hates the destruction it brings!

To the false witness---> Be sure "... your sin will find you out"! (Numbers 32:23)

To the believer, secure in Christ ---> "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:14 May we cry out as David saying, "Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me." Psalm 35:1

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21

Though the situation may be overwhelming, there is hope! Trust in the Lord and praise Him in the meantime!

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." Psalm 18:2-3

Plug in to the LIFE Source

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Why is the one who trusts in the Lord blessed? Because it is the Lord who sustains!

According to Webster's dictionary, look at the definition of "sustains":

to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc.
: to hold up the weight of (something)
: to deal with or experience (something bad or unpleasant)

Full Definition
1 : to give support or relief to
2 : to supply with sustenance : nourish
3 : keep up, prolong
4 : to support the weight of : prop; also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5 : to buoy up <sustained by hope>
6 a : to bear up under
   b : suffer, undergo <sustained heavy losses>
7 a : to support as true, legal, or just
   b : to allow or admit as valid
8 : to support by adequate proof : confirm <testimony that sustains our contention>

A tree planted by the waters draws up waters from the river. It's roots are PLUGGED IN to the LIFE Source! This IS Christ! Are you plugged into Him that you'll more that just survive life's elements, but be FRUITFUL in and through them? Jehovah Jireh is our provider! Is your confidence in Him or are you trying to accomplish this life on your own, by your own menial strength?