Can I Get an "Amen"?

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.  [Is 43:2]

When I spoke of God trying our hearts several months back, little did I realize the trial I was about to enter. Yet, even more profound is the number of God's people going through overwhelming situations and trials. Either they have just come out of a heavy trial, are in the middle of one right now or they will be entering one.

Even the secular world is calling the "midnight hour" being upon the globe. The increase of violence, anger, hatred, racism, murder of multitudes, persecution...the list goes on.

But God! We may wonder what is taking the Lord so long. But the song that a sister in Christ, friend and blog reader (thank you Joy!) shared with me called: 

Four Days Late – Jackielyn Roy  - comes to mind. All hope is NOT gone, no matter what the OUTWARD appearances look like.

This will be a short post, but hopefully a post that will be the "Amen" for many as the Holy Spirit ministers in the ways only He can do.

A story by Casey Feindt at First Coast News came to my attention at the very time I needed it, and my prayer and hope is that it will do the same for others.

Amen with an Exclamation Point!

Two teenagers from Christ's Church Academy in Mandarin, Jacksonville, Florida had gone out to swim when a riptide swept them out into the ocean. For nearly two hours, Tyler Smith and Heather Brown endeavoured to reach safety, but the waves were against them.

In desperation, Tyler prayerfully cried out to God for his help. Shortly thereafter, Eric Wagner who was heading to New Jersey from Delray in his boat, saw an arm flailing in the water. His shipmate, named Troy, steered the vessel toward the floundering couple and ultimately rescued them.

When Mr. Wagner told the two the name of his boat, the girl broke down in tears, knowing her friend had prayed to God. The name of his boat? 

Can I Get an Amen?

Indeed, the name of the rescue boat is called, The AMEN.

First Coast News report

Faithful

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.  [Heb 10:23]

God is faithful. So, no matter what you are going through, trust God. Just keep trusting Him...forget the outward appearances that threaten to "take you down" (Satan is a liar). The emotions and feelings we all go through in trials are part of being human, and our Creator fully understands.

Yet the KEY...the key is to TRUST, not so easy in frightening situations that are hopeless in appearance. But all we have to do is trust Him enough to cry out to Him, knowing He hears and will answer in His time and his way.  He is with us when we are at our weakest point; He never leaves us, just as Jesus promised. Like the writers of the songs exhort us: God is always right on time!

He’ll Make a Way - Stephanie Ibarra

God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble.  [Ps 46:1]

And to that this writer says: AMEN! (to God through Jesus be all glory!)

(*Addendum - May 4, 2019: I posted this yesterday before I went to a meeting with some brethren, and I did share this report with them about the teenagers as well. God is glorified. 

However, as I shared with them, I must add an important point here. 

Yes, the KEY is "trust", but what does trust involve? Surrender - complete and utter surrender must precede trusting God wholly. Dying to self means complete surrender.

Just as Jesus, our glorious Saviour and perfect example, fully surrendered his life into His Father's hands in the Garden of Gethsemene, so must we follow Christ as we pick up our own cross and surrender our will, our entire life (hopes, dreams, ambitions, desire, destiny) into the hands of our competent and Sovereign Creator.

This is faith hand in hand with trust; faith in action. Our works do not save us because no one comes to the Father (God/Yhvh) but through His Son, Jesus the Messiah (Christ). [Jn 14:6]

Nevertheless, faith has works, it produces action. Surrender to God. He will NOT fail...victory is the "Amen" God has for those who trust in Him.

Commit your way unto the Lord; TRUST also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.  [Ps 37:5]

for His glory alone

Bonita                         dovesofthevalleys4@gmail.com