“Things are never going to change! They will always be this way.”
How many times have you heard someone make such a statement? How many
times might you have said it yourself?? Based on letters I receive from
time to time and the conversations I have with various women, many of
them feel this way about certain aspects of their lives. Wives struggling
over certain issues associated with their husbands literally feel that
just because things between them have always been complex, they always
will be. Parents who have a wayward child often lose hope after a short
period and soon determine that nothing could alter the way their son or
daughter has decided to live. Employees who wrestle with a bothersome
co-worker day in and day out see little chance of that person transforming
into an agreeable, pleasant human being. People who live next door to
a neighbor who exhibits thoughtless public habits irritably resign themselves
to the fact that short of selling their home there is nothing that will
solve the predicament they put up with on a daily basis. In other words,
what we all doubt is a reversal of our circumstances. However, I am writing
to tell you that because of God’s intervention, things can be turned around!
The Lord is in the reversal business; He has the power to turn anything
the opposite way in which it has been going...
Psalm 75:7 (KJV)
But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
Ladies, let us encourage our hearts today with the fact that God is sovereign;
His will is supreme over all rulers, all historical events, and all intimidating
forces. God’s sovereignty is manifested in His control of men as He puts
down one and sets up another. If we trust in His power and love in every
facet of our lives, no opposing force can hamper us!
Psalm 147:6 (KJV)
The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Our understanding of how to bring about a reversal is limited, but God’s
understanding is immeasurable! Christians should not allow the particulars
of their situation to cause them to hold a bleak viewpoint. Instead, depend
upon your heavenly Father’s ability to renovate the state of your affairs!
The Bible says the Lord will raise up those who have been cast down in
this life as well as cast down those who have raised themselves… People
who are used to living in an oppressed manner will be rescued just as
certain as those living in pride will be overthrown. If it were not for
God’s righteousness, you and I would not have the full assurance of a
reasonable reversal.
Matthew 19:30 (KJV)
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
While living under overwhelming circumstances, it is tempting to focus
on how much effort one is putting forth to change things. For example,
wives who have been faithful to do right in the midst of ongoing marriage
problems can fall prey to looking for a speedy reward for the contributions
made toward improving the status of their marital relationship - especially
if the husband is lazy about his donation! However, we must trust the
Lord and rest in the fact that God will give us what is best and will
in due time reverse the injustice! If we are not careful to remember promises
like the one above, we may begin to criticize God and leave off yielding
to His will. May this alone reign as our supreme goal, even above receiving
any relief we might happily welcome!
Luke 16:22-25 (KJV)
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels
into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; [23] And
in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar
off, and Lazarus in his bosom. [24] And he cried and said, Father Abraham,
have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger
in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. [25] But
Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good
things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and
thou art tormented.
In this portion of scripture, we have a vivid description of circumstances
God reversed in a very permanent manner. In fact, conditions were so fixed
that they could not be changed ever again! The rich man who lived a luxurious
life is now suffering in hell and the poor man who lived in poverty now
enjoys all the riches of heaven… Ladies, death reverses everything! How
much better it at present to carry out what we should realizing that such
a reversal faces each one of us! Are you devoted to living for things
that have eternal significance? As a child of God, if you are plagued
with problems in this life, God promises you will be comforted. But, if
you are living at ease - just for self - your situation will reverse itself
and one day you will be plagued by your selfish choices!
Luke 6:25 (KJV)
Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh
now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
In closing, Jesus describes life in an opposite manner from what we usually
imagine. Therefore, we should not react to life the way we generally do
– without hope! Ladies, our relationship with the Lord makes all the difference
in our dilemmas. It takes time to turn things around and the reversal
process requires patient endurance. You must be pointed to Christ! Trust
God to intervene. When you do, I think you will find it a life changing
decision!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
