Have difficult circumstances defined you?

Have difficult circumstances defined you?

I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land – the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah.- Jeremiah 1:18

2 Thessalonians 3:3-5

 3 But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

 4 We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command.

 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ.

Scientists are uncovering the secrets of the diabolical ironclad beetle (Phloeodes diabolicus). This variety of ironclad beetle has one of the toughest natural exoskeletons scientists have ever encountered. This beetle’s armor is almost uncrushable, capable of withstanding stomps and even being run over by a car.

The Air Force is funding research inspired by this beetle to create stronger, more durable materials. Close-up images reveal a jigsaw puzzle-like seam on its back, enabling it to support 39,000 times its body weight without being crushed. To put this in perspective, it is comparable to a 150-pound person surviving the seemingly crushing weight of over 7 million pounds.

Scientists have already developed a man-made version using fiber-reinforced plastics, which are stronger and more rigid than current aerospace materials (https://www.sciencenews.org/article/diabolical-ironclad-beetle-exoskeleton-armor-impossible-squish).

Reflect for a moment. This marvelous and intelligently designed extraordinary structure was conceived in the Father’s mind.

If He can create bugs that are incredibly pressure-resistant, can He not also strengthen the children of the King to endure the seemingly crushing challenges of life?

1 Corinthians 2:3-5

 3 I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling.

 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

REFLECT & PRAY

“When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible man and crushes him” (Alan Redpath).

Father more and more, the dark days in which we live resemble those of the days of Noah. Draw me close to You and make me strong, resistant to being crushed.

INSIGHT

Times are tough. However, as children of the King, we do not have to let difficult circumstances define us. The Father can make His children more resilient than the formidable challenges they face.

Defiant rebellion against the Father and His truth is nothing new; it has happened throughout history. The first recorded instance of large numbers of people hardening their hearts against the Father was in the days of Noah.

Genesis 6:5 The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.

It is no coincidence that the Lord Jesus Christ noted that just as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be when He returns to establish His kingdom.

Luke 17:26-27

 26 And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:

 27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Sadly, people stubbornly choose to harden their hearts. It is especially tragic when this is true even for the children of the King.

Zechariah 7:11-12

 11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears from hearing.

 12 They made their hearts like flint so that they could not hear the law and the words which the LORD of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets; therefore great wrath came from the LORD of hosts.

When stubborn people refuse to listen and harden their hearts like flint, the Father counters and responds decisively. He sought out a man whom He would toughen and make stronger than the obstinate, rebellious nation of Israel. The man was Ezekiel, whose name in Hebrew means “hardened by God.” He became an irresistible force capable of standing up to anyone.

The Father assures Ezekiel that he will be fully equipped to face and overcome the obstinate people of Israel. He strengthens Ezekiel, making him even harder than flint. Ezekiel will possess the physical, spiritual, and emotional resources necessary to meet the challenge of his assignment. It is already a done deal.

Ezekiel 3:9 I have made your forehead harder than flint – like diamond! So don’t be

afraid of them or fear their angry looks, even though they are rebels.

The Father strengthened Ezekiel, making him tough, resilient, and capable of facing all opposition. He hardened Ezekiel’s forehead, making it as unyielding as the hardest rock. The Hebrew word translated as flint or diamond is tsor. Tsor refers to a hard pebble or flint, perhaps obsidian.

The word picture of a forehead expresses determination or defiance. Ezekiel’s determination would not buckle when he confronts the rebellious house of Israel. Pause for a moment and visualize him challenging the opposition. Can you picture this God-prepared, hardened, invulnerable prophet standing up and saying, “Give me your best shot?” And then following up with, “Is that all you got?”

Ezekiel has all of the divine protection required to complete his assignment. He is tough-minded and laser-focused yet tenderhearted toward the Father.

Ezekiel’s assignment is to confront the rebellious nation of Israel. He has been appointed as a watchman.

Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for Israel. Whenever you receive a message from me, warn people immediately.

Repentance and transformation are by no means guaranteed. The only certainty is that Father’s Words will be heard. In many ways, it is a thankless job.

Ezekiel 2:5 Whether they listen or refuse to listen – for remember, they are rebels – at least they will know they have had a prophet among them.

“The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it” (George Orwell).

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© Dr. H 2024