Aren’t they simply annoying? Experiencing an interruption that you did not plan for! And yet, God is even in the interruptions of our lives…
We can only see ourselves in the context of what we experience, and sometimes interruptions shift our understanding of life.
Jonah was fleeing from God who had commanded him to go to Nineveh and preach repentance. His escape was interrupted by God’s big fish that swallowed him and while in the belly of the fish he repented and then went on to Nineveh.
Jesus’ sermon is interrupted by a man with an evil spirit. The sermon gives way to the power of God which interrupts the power of Satan in this man’s life and with just one word from Jesus the evil spirit is cast out.
Chuck Swindoll reminds us “Life’s trials and interruptions can turn out to be gateways of God’s grace, if only we will listen to the Lord, be flexible and surrender to His plan, obey His commands, and remember His faithfulness.”
The Lord tests our faith, not just in the great crises of life, but even more in the small unexpected events, such as a travel delay, an irritating interruption, a sudden sickness, or a lost wallet. The way we respond in these situations will indicate what’s in our hearts, because what life does to us depends on what life finds in us. If we love and trust the Lord, we’ll leave the matter with Him and do what He tells us, but if we question the Lord and rebel because we’re not getting our own way, then we’re in danger of tempting Him.
One of the best protections against tempting the Lord is a grateful heart. If we’re in the habit of thanking the Lord in everything, including the painful experiences of life, then the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with love and praise instead of Satan filling us with bitter venom. The first time God provided water for Israel, Moses called the place “Massah and Meribah” which means “testing and quarreling.” On this second occasion, Moses called the place “Meribah” (“quarreling”), but it was he who had been tested, and he failed the test. At one point, Moses begged God to let him go over the Jordan, but the Lord refused his request (Deut. 3:23–29). Moses revealed his meekness by submitting to God’s discipline and continuing to lead the people
How many “Massahs” and “Meribahs” are marked on the map of our journey of faith? The apostle Paul had to deal with these kinds of interruptions often. Shipwrecks, jail, hostile people, sickness interrupted him in the work God had given him to tell the good news about Jesus. But nothing interrupted his trust in Jesus.
Pastor Vince Gerhardy reminds us; “When Christ bursts into this world on the last day, that will be the last interruption that we will ever experience. There will no more interruptions by sickness, death, wars, natural disasters, accidents, crime or whatever. We will be taken into God’s presence and join those gathered around the throne of God.”
My prayer for you, today: Heavenly Father, I pray for, every induvial listen to this or reading this – thank You for interrupting our lives to save us, to protect us and to bring to your attention what You need to let us know. Forgive us for where we have sighed or complained in the past and Lord have Your perfect will and way in our lives, daily to Your glory, in Jesus Name. Amen
Stay blessed and don’t frown at interruptions, God might just be trying to get your attention!
Notes: W. Wiersbe Bible Commentary on Deut 6 Chuck Swindoll – Insight for Living
Click on either link (icon) to watch Rumble or YouTube video
Wednesday Meditation
Join us for our Wednesday Meditation form the Word of God, right here! Each week, we read a chapter of the Bible, staring with the Gospel of John from the 2nd of August 2023. You may download the Mp3 clip, below, read along, watch it onYouTubeor simply listen to the reading of God's word as you lie in bed and fall asleep...