Ann and I have had back issues for decades. Many years ago in California’s Mojave desert, we walked through an old, mile-long, abandoned, gold mine – it was so low inside that we had to bend over as we walked. Ann’s back was out and hurting a lot. On top of that, she carried (Ann insisted) our Sheltie dog the entire length of that mine, both ways. She was pretty angry about the pain and the walk. Finally, it dawned on her not to be angry. After all, her anger wasn’t resolving her pain (it only added to the pain) or making anything else better. That turned out to be a turning point in her life and it had an impact on the entire family regarding getting angry about things we couldn’t control. Anger only ever made things worse for us…
I was in traffic the other day and thought how funny it was that I used to get so angry about some drivers and being stuck in traffic. It hit me that my anger never really resolved traffic so why was I stewing about it. Why not learn to trust God with it and relax?
I used to get mad at God when I wasn’t getting my way. I found that my anger didn’t move God, and realizing that only increased my anger. No, God was more interested in teaching me to trust Him all the time than to let me get my way by trying to manipulate Him with anger. In His wisdom, He had peace, rest, grace, love, and joy in store for me and wanted me to learn that anger isn’t necessary.
I hope the following daily devotional entry by Messianic Rabbi Jonathan Cahn blesses you like it blessed us this morning.
The Bethlehem Principle
“No room at the inn” is one of the most famous phrases from the Bible. When Yoseph and Miriam (Joseph and Mary) came to Bethlehem walking in the center of God’s will, about to fulfill the ancient prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures, the door slammed in their face. So they went to a manger/lamb birthing station and there was born the Lamb of God, King of the Jews, Messiah, and the Light of the world.
It doesn’t matter how close you are to God or how much you walk in the center of His will, you’ll still come up against closed doors. But when the door closes in your face, when the door closes on that dream, on that plan, on that hope, and you hear the words, “there’s no room at the inn,” know for sure that God has something better. Trust the Lord. Stand in faith and persevere in hope. When the door closes to you, in the Lord, know and have confidence that there’s something better and more beautiful waiting to bless you as you don’t give up. Persevere because there’s yet a manger in Bethlehem.
Today’s Mission: Today, stand in faith, persevere in hope, and have confidence that the Lord will open the right door for you to accomplish His plans for your life.
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
For I know the plans (thoughts) I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans (thoughts) for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
God bless each of you. We love you so much. Think of how much Jesus loves you. ☺
Mark