The Wrestling Match

Psalm 112:1,7 "Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression.  Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing his commands.  He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen.  For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him." (Living Bible)

One of my goats developed the ailment called *pink eye*.  This necessitated putting drops into her eye  to clear it up.  Sounds easy enough, right?  Wrong!  Every medicinal episode developed into a dreaded wrestling match.  Even when tied tight to the post, I still had to wrestle her up against the wall, pinning her there with my body, hammer locking her head with my left arm and squirting the drops under her tightly squeezed shut eye with my right hand. The final treatment was the worst though, as she trampled my feet, twisted my arm, squashed my hand against the ledge, resulting in the drawing of blood and pulled a muscle in my back with her last ditch effort to escape this obviously, to her, torturous procedure.

Back up at the house, busy nursing my wounds, the Holy Spirit spoke to me.  He compared what I was willing to put myself through, the lengths I had gone to, to help this creature receive the healing she needed with how willing we must also be in regards to going to the same great lengths and sacrifices to take the healing word of God to those in need of His truth and salvation.  I was so struck by His words I literally sat down to think about them.

Indeed how willing have I been?  How willing am I, to put myself out there to take the healing power of God’s word and His love for mankind to my world?  It was a very sobering thought for me, as it might also be for you. 

 In today’s world, Christianity comes under a lot of negative criticism and injustice.  To speak out about one’s relationship with the Living Lord, is becoming more difficult and in some cases, downright scary.  None of us want to be looked down upon, belittled or un-friended or possibly even injured or killed for our faith.  We all have that inner need to be accepted, safe, and liked.  And yet, as today’s scripture reference assures us “*happy is the man who delights in doing His commands.  He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen.  For he is *settled in his mind* that Jehovah will take care of him.”

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Since the Holy Spirit has spoken to me on this matter, I have come to a new peace in regards to being *settled in my mind* when it comes to carrying the healing word of God’s truth to others. For I know that no matter what results my witness may return,  God will not only take care of me amidst it all, but joy shall be mine through obedience.

How about you?  Where does your mind settle on this matter?

Prayer:  Father God thank you that our minds can be settled on the truth that You will take care of us as we obediently take Your word to our friends, neighbours, families and indeed even to the nations.  Bless us this day not with dread but with courage that our world may receive Your healing.  In Christ’s name.  Amen.

Lynne Phipps Atlin, B.C.