The Junction
The Lord allows many unpalatable events to befall His chosen before redeeming them. This enables people to see His power, and to increase the faith and dependence of His people on Him. The Lord prefers to prepare people before commissioning them for a service, such as Joseph, David, Samson, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and many others.
The scriptures give many instances where life was not all that rosy for His followers. Elijah was able through earnest prayer to prevent rain from falling for three years and six months; when he prayed again, the heavens gave rain and the earth brought forth fruit (1 Kings 17:1; 19:1-4. James 5:17, 18). But he had to run away from a woman.For believers, the Lord may sometimes seem to be far off in times of need.
A widow in the town of Nain had only one son. He was all the woman had, but he died (Luke 7:11, 12). The Lord met the funeral procession and the desperate widow at the city gate and took pity on her (verse 13). It was at a stage where the widow thought all was lost, but that was the time she met Jesus. The Lord brought the boy back to life and the astonished people praised God (verses 14-16). The Lord will meet us too at a junction in our lives.
Do we think all is lost? It may be sickness, poverty, disappointments and sorrows, but the Lord will surely meet us and change our course. The Lord met Moses in the bush, and Gideon, and their lives were never the same again (Exodus 3:1-17; Judges 6:11-24). Jacob became Israel (Genesis 32:22-29), Elizabeth became pregnant (Luke 1:6-25) and Bartimaeus received his sight (Mark 10:46-52). Let us have faith and work on our problems, if it is within your strength, otherwise let us leave them to God and watch how He solves them for us.
Human beings are not perfect so do not let us be concerned with our inadequacies. Talk to God like a father and He will make a way for you in the waters as He did for the Israelites to pass through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31). Likewise also the Israelites crossed the River Jordan by the command of the Lord (Joshua 4:7-13). The Lord made Peter to walk on water and so can we. When Christ meets us at a junction, we will overcome our burdens, for nothing is impossible to God. Paul says: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) and, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). He has a good plan for us and will meet us at our junction soon. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye; and be not afraid of their terror neither be troubled” (1 Peter 3:12-14).Lastly (verse 17) “For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing than for evil doing”.
In this wise, beloved Brethren and Sisters, know ye that the Lord is in control in all world affairs, and Jesus will soon be on the earth, so let us all get ourselves prepared to meet the Lord at his coming. May we each have a place in that glorious kingdom.
Bro. Joseph Oppong (Shama, Ghana)
