Problems and Solutions预览

Climbing Mountains – Overcoming Differences 

Walking for forty years over rugged terrain and fighting enemies along the way to claim one's inheritance could never have been an easy task. There were many casualties, but the ones who got through were the ones who relied on God’s strength alone. Goliath posed a huge problem for Saul and his men but not for David who saw him as a lesser foe than a lion or a bear, both of which he had killed in his line of duty as a shepherd. He brought down the giant with a single, decisive pebble in his forehead, but more importantly, with his confidence in “the Lord of hosts, God of the armies of Israel.” That was the solution to his task – not the spear, the helmet or the armor – but the full assurance that the God whom he trusted would deliver him.

Joseph faced severe temptation in Potiphar’s mansion in the guise of a bored wife with time hanging heavily on her idle hands. What was his only and best option to keep him pure but to run away from the source of the evil and not get drawn into its net. Had he delayed or reasoned with himself or lingered a little bit longer, Joseph’s story would have ended right there- no future, no honor, no legacy, no blessing.

Let’s not reason with evil or make excuses for our moral failures. There’s always an option to make the right decision. James 1:13, 14 – Temptations come to everybody. Even Jesus was tempted. It's how we overcome that reveals our moral fiber. So let’s not say that God tempted us. He allows the temptation but also provides a way of escape.

Paul in jail faced the most challenging trial of his life, but iron bars did not constitute a prison for him. His writings while in confinement are some of the most inspiring chapters in the Bible. No despair, murmuring or boredom for Paul. He saw his situation as a reprieve and used it as a channel for God’s glory. 

So we see that most problems have workable solutions. There are some that are so overwhelming that we can only weep and lay them down at the Master’s feet in prayer – the plight of street children, human trafficking, wars, immigrant issues, trade stand-offs between nations, pornography. 

Prayer is a lifeline with a solution at its end. Let us not neglect it.