“Be very careful, then, how you live; not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20
Last Saturday, there was an article in the Miami Herald that gave news that in a three-day period last week, 108 gang members had been killed by a combination of Haitian policed and local vigilantes. The citizens of Port-au-Prince have become extremely tired of the chaos brought about by the gangs and have been taking this matter into their own hands. For them, enough is enough. The unspeakable harm that has been happening to them, their families and possessions has reached a boiling point. Prayers have been offered for an end to this chaos and during the past years, their prayers are being answered with a call to organize and work with the police and put an end to this violence. God is in control. His children have learned throughout history that His timing is perfect and He will deliver them.
The apostle Paul gives us instructions in his letter to the Ephesians in the verses above. Don’t doubt His timing. If you find yourself getting nervous about an upcoming challenge or darkening storm clouds rolling in…stop it. Our Heavenly Father is in control of days. We need to turn and surrender, repent and bow our heads and bring everything before Him, asking for His directions. That attitude is a first step and a major secret to living above our challenging storms rather than under them. Today, please take a few moments to humbly surrender your day to our Triune God, and see how He leads us through this week.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay