I read this in my Edges of His Ways Devotional this morning, and I had to search my heart:
***from Edges of His Ways:Daily Devotional Notes by Amy Carmichael, p.16, January 10th excerpt:1 Samuel 23:16: "And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened His hand in God."God make us all his Jonathans. There is a great hunter abroad in the world. Like Saul who sought David every day, he seeks souls every day; never a day's respite, always the hunt is on. Although the words stand forever, "but God delivered him not into his hand," yet sometimes souls tire of being hunted, and like David they are in a wilderness in a wood. Then is Jonathan's chance. But notice what he does; he does not so comfort David that he becomes necessary to him. "He strengthened his hand in God." He leaves his friends strong in God, resting in God, safe in God. He detaches his dear David from himself and he attaches him to his "Very Present Help." Then Jonathan went to his house, and David abode in the wood--with God.
As one with the gift of mercy, I had to search my heart. Do I comfort or advise people so that I become necessary to them, or do I do so encouraging that God become necessary to them?
And even deeper, who do I reach out to when I'm in trouble? Do I grab the phone, or do I hit the floor? Do I rely on the counsel of others, or do I turn to the Word? And when I reach out to others, what kind of people do I call on? Those who will pray for me and tell me the Truth, or those who will tell me what my flesh wants to hear. First and foremost, the Lord wants to become my "ever present help in times of trouble." Then He will lead us to the people who will give us the Truth He wants us to follow.
Wowzer, Amy Carmichael always gets my heart and mind thinking and seeking. I could be tempted to take this powerful devotional of hers today too far in either direction at any given time, though. God gives us people in our lives both to help and to lean on...but may we never allow someone to lean on us so so hard and so long that they forget to lean on their Rock, their Redeemer, the ONLY firm foundation. (And visa versa).
Lord, give me an undivided heart during times of trouble. May I come to You first and then follow Your leading and Your timing on help from others. Strengthen me, O Lord. Help me not to be a spiritual weakling, but strong in You, Father--God-strong instead. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
8 friends shared a comment:
Wow, what a great post! I have read Amy Carmichael's biography (by Elisabeth Elliot), and I've read her little booklet "If," but I haven't read anything else of hers. This is a great thought, and especially applicable to us as bloggers. Do we write what we write to the glory of God, or to become something in other people's eyes? Do we want others to turn to Him, or to us?
Beautiful post.
Oh, WOW Laura. Excellent questions, conviction, and thoughts. It is SO easy to go to either extreme in this, but you are SO right. We need to lean in a way as to NEVER allow anyone but Our Rock to be our rock.
Excellent post, Laura. I've recently asked myself these very questions, and I didn't like the answers.
My problem is that I am so aware of my frailty, that if ever someone says anything affirming, I get terrified...I don't want anyone to expect anything from me, because I know I will eventually 'let them down'..and I don't want that...
that's why my only prayer is that people'e eyes are drawn toward God by anything I write...
Appreciate you more and more, LauraLee...
Yeah I remember that one from when I read it last year! It really spoke to me and instructed me. And I really needed to hear it again right now as I have a dear friend that... well it's a long story, but I just need to be a Jonathan to her and entrust her to the hands of the Father.
And also, as a person with the gift of mercy myself, I totally identify with what you're saying. It's something i need to check myself in often... do I want people to turn to Him or to me?
Thanks for posting this, I needed to hear it right now!
hugs sister,
Sheila
Wow! I had never thought about it like this, but it is so true! Thanks for passing that on! Very timely!
Such a lovely post my friend, I love you.
Wow. I think this hit us all right between the eyes. What is our purpose? Why do we do what we do? Is it so that we can have a string of people following our every move and action? Or are we gently taking people by the hand and leading them to Christ so that they can follow HIS every move and action? Thank you for sharing this!
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