[Onebrother] Have you been crushed?

[Inez Cobb]

Want to add  one of my favorite verses to this. 2 Chronicles 16:9 For
the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may
STRONGLY SUPPORT those whose heart is COMPLETELY His.

I really love this verse. It hangs on my frig. to remind me of just
what you were talking about. The Lord will be there to lift us up when
we are down. He is constantly watching to catch us. Be completely in Him
and you will have no worries. Can we do that???

>>> B. Heath Robinson <heath at midnighthour.org> 7/14/2011 12:19 AM >>>
I have a ton to do today, but I was listening to a random selection of
songs while I worked, and one caught my attention.  It was a kids song
for memorizing scripture.  It was the Psalm below.  It really made me
think about myself and how I believe the lie the world tells us.  That
is that the LORD is near to those who are strong and powerful and
beautiful.

This reflection took me to a couple of verses I listened to this week
from Jesus.  Not only did his ministry reflect this, but he preached it.
 It is almost as if Jesus said, "The rich and righteous can fend for
themselves.  I'll help those who need it."  It is often said of God,
"God is a gentleman."  He does not force himself on people.  It is a
strange allusion, but in a sense it is true.  Those who say I am good
enough he lets proceed on their way to hell.  Some might question this
gentlemanliness. It is only those who by God's grace have learned of
their own helplessness who receive salvation.

But, how do we learn of our own helplessness?   Is it not the Spirit
that teaches us all things?  Is it not the work of the spirit that
produces this knowledge?  It is by God's grace, literally, that we come
to know our helplessness.  It is under the weight of our own sin that we
are crushed, just as Jesus was crushed under the weight of our sin.

When I am on the cusp of being crushed by circumstances, I tend to look
for ways to empower myself or shield myself from the onslaught.  I
forget, that for real power, I only need to be willing to be crushed and
only cry out for help.  My desire for power causes me to ignore my sin
rather than be crushed by it.  Whether or not I am able to overcome my
circumstances, I have failed if by doing so I have resisted the Spirits
work and refused to be crushed.
  
If you are facing a struggle, don't batten down the hatches.  Instead
turn full face into the holiness of God, and cry out for salvation.


“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in
spirit.”
(Psalms 34:18 ESV)

“I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who
repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no
repentance.”
(Luke 15:7 ESV)

“And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a
physician, but those who are sick.I have not come to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance.””
(Luke 5:31–32 ESV)