FACING DANGERS AND DISASTERS (PART 2 - 3 CRITICAL WAYS)

 THREE CRITICAL WAYS TO FACE DANGERS

 # 1 It is of critical importance to realize who is actually in control.                     # 2 Do not put our faith in man alone and his abilities.                                        # 3 Determine what God is doing, what His will is in the situation, and where you fit in lest doubt, fear, and confusion place you in the helpless, hopeless, victim mode.

  # 1 - RECOGNIZING WHO IS IN CONTROL - In Christ Jesus, we are never helpless or hopeless. You will notice that when Jesus did not respond to Pilate's interrogation, Pilate (doubtless in frustration) responded by saying, "'Do You not speak to me? Do You not know that I have the authority to release You, or I have authority to crucify You?' Jesus answered, 'You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above'..." John 19:10-11. Dear friends, we must be careful not to think that He spoke this as an act of defiance. It was a reality statement for the whole world, and especially for us to recognize WHO is actually in control and in Whose hands our lives are. Our life and death are for God's glory and are in the hands of our Loving Heavenly Father (John 21:19). We are to remain fearfully and trustingly submitted to Him in all our situations. He will give us the grace to do and face whatever we need. This fact is the basis for threats and dangers of all types, whether confronted by man, sickness, nature, or whatever other possible force. 

(For an added thought, when seeking our justice in a human court or conflict, there are procedures and protocols we should follow, but remember, "Many seek a ruler's favor; but every man's judgment comes from the Lord." Proverbs 29:26)    

Step  # 2 - Do not put our faith in man who may be out of step with step #1.  Trusting in ourselves or man's abilities is trusting in the creature more than the CREATOR.

"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord our God." Psalm 20:7 

"Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help, and stay on horses; and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord." Isaiah 31:1

  In our modern age of science and technology, we can become enamored with these amazing abilities God has given us. After all, we were created in His image and likeness, and we are His children. How could we expect less? But to trust in ourselves alone is arrogant and presumptuous. We are just frail flesh and blood with a nature that has been corrupted by pride, disobedience, and covetousness(greed and lust). When we consider the scope and magnitude of the earth, let alone the universe we live in, it is foolish to assume that we of and in ourselves are our saviours, and that the ability to save ourselves from every disaster is in our hands alone. Trusting only in our strength, or the abilities of man, will eventually end in failure. Therefore, when we see amazing success in human efforts, it does not mean that the hand of the Almighty was not involved. Either by inspiring people, or in what some may call coincidental, well-planned, or perfect timing, the gracious hand of God was at work. Maybe someone did pray, and pray earnestly. Or likely, God just stepped in, despite all our efforts, and perhaps not for our sakes alone. In the midst of us trying to do the right thing, it is sometimes overlooked that certain events and timing just worked out, or simply conveniently didn't, with ideal or perfect timing. A good example of God's divine intervention in our affairs was when General Patton had a prayer distributed among 250,000 soldiers for the weather to clear during the Battle of the Bulge; in direct answer, the skies cleared, and the tide of war turned against Hitler in that critical battle. 

  Does that mean that you do nothing while waiting for the Lord? Not unless He specifically says so (Exodus 14:13-14). Moses told the children of Israel to stand and see the salvation of the Lord while the Lord barred the Egyptian army from overrunning them as they waited for Him to divide the sea and for the dry land to appear between the two walls of water. Then, at the Lord's command, they had to exercise their faith and walk through the divided sea. The Lord decimated the Egyptian army that attempted to pursue them the same way. Like the children of Israel, we do all that is our responsibility while He does what we cannot. He told Gideon, "...Go in this your strength..." (Judges 6:14) (and leave the results to Him).  Indeed, we are to be responsible and put our best foot forward in taking care of ourselves, those around us, and especially those that are in our care; but to trust fully in human ability for our salvation and defense is folly. In the greater picture of life, there are too many variables and too many possibilities beyond the extent of our abilities for us to assume we can and will prevail in every situation without Divine intervention. Whether it be war or the powers of nature and the universe, we are and will always be at the mercy of the Creator of the universe. So, with all being said and done, while putting our best foot forward, let us continually look to the Lord our God and Savior for everything, "Look unto Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth: for I Am God, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22. He is our only real Hope!

Step # 3 - Determine what God is doing, what His will is in the situation, and where you fit in. This is absolutely critical for success and survival!

"Except the Lord build the house, the labour in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman walks in vain." Psalm, 127:1

  Knowing that God is in control of everything, when danger looms on the horizon or suddenly lands overhead, we humble ourselves and immediately inquire of the Lord what His will and purpose are for this situation and what He expects of us. Our duty is to obey and apply ourselves diligently while trusting Him explicitly. Again, depending on the type of threat and danger we may be facing, we follow the Scriptures of the Bible for our most solid guidance and instructions, and also (wonderfully), we have His Holy Spirit to guide us in the specifics (thank You, Lord Jesus!). Obviously, if we are aware of unrepentant sin and guilt, we repent and plead for mercy. "O Lord, I have heard Your speech, and was afraid: O Lord, revive Your work, in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy." Habakkuk 3:2. If we are hit so fast that we don't have time to think, we cry out to Him as that young man caught by the tornado did. The rest is up to Him. Some years ago, a hurricane was threatening to hit Central America. A pastor in one of the countries called his church to pray and fast. Apparently, the Hurricane decimated the adjacent country, but only skirted theirs. So we diligently, in Godly fear, like Noah, who obeyed by building the Ark (Hebrews 11:7), do what is required practically, and also according to the Word of God under the guidance of His Holy Spirit for our situation (prayer, fasting, warning people...) and trust Him for the rest. Realistically, unless the Lord has given someone a specific position of influence (like Moses) for a threat on a national scale, our singular efforts will benefit us personally and perhaps those in our direct care. But for a nation to be spared from disaster, a national or leadership effort is typically required, as was the case with the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3:4-10). Still, if we do as the Lord directs, it could benefit untold many. By the way, never let anyone's doubts and restrictions (mine or anyone else's) hinder your confidence in faith. God spared the people in the ship Paul was in during the storm as long as they remained in the ship ("...God has given you all them that sail with you..." Acts 27:24) because he was in the will of the Lord, even though he was a prisoner being transported. How wonderful is that! We have no idea how much of a difference we can make that will benefit others as we pursue Christ. Give Him your best!

NEXT- WHAT ABOUT SUDDEN DISASTERS?