Bent But Not Broken

I had to post this devotional written by my beautiful, smart, wise, and powerful wife! I'm so blessed, honored, and proud to have her in my life! Be blessed!

Based on Psalms 34

Written by Sherin Mathew for This Is My Song devotional series:

My life testimony is not a victory story about how I am spared from troubles and tragedy but how my Father carries my family and I through the midst of our darkest nights. I look back and wonder how I make it through each season. I realize it is when I get up each day, I CHOOSE to praise Him and trust that He’s got my life in control, no matter the circumstance, be it sickness, death, uncertainties of life or even lighter hardships such as difficult day at work or the everyday busyness, it is then that I am filled with immense strength, faith and boldness to face the day and push through. As I keep my focus on Him every moment and not be distracted by the discouragements life throws my way, I can trust in His promise that He will always keep my face radiant with His glory.

During seasons of drought, it is harder, almost impossible to keep our chin up, shoulders back and face each day. But verse 5 reminds us that as long as our eyes are fixed into His, we should have no reason to doubt His promise that He will make ALL things, the victories and the wish-it-never-happened seasons work together for our good. Our faces will automatically emit the radiance of ‘the peace that passes all understanding’ and we can rest assured that the hardships of this life are never meant to put us to shame.

We cannot truly say we know what something tastes or feels like unless we have actually experienced it. Just as important as it is to cling onto His life giving promises, it is equally enriching and empowering for us to remember the miraculous ways He led us to our mountain tops and sustained us in the miry clay seasons.

So when we feel discouraged, despair sets in and when life seems unfair, before feelings of anger, shame and bitterness takes root in our hearts and minds, let us make every effort to choose to remember that our Lord is close to the broken hearted and will save those crushed in spirit (vs 18). Although He does not guarantee us a trouble free life, He does promise to walk by our side and will not allow one of our bones to be broken (vs 20).

Which takes me to 2 Corinthians 4:8 we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. Our hardships are not meant to destroy us, but to build us up from the inside out. He may allow us to be bent, but will not let us reach the point of breaking.

May the name of Jesus always be our song we sing in the night.

Amen and God bless!

Do You See That?

Has anyone told you to look at something off in the distance?  They are pointing in that direction and describing it with their words.  You try to find it based on their guidance. However you can't see what they see.  Maybe at some point, they will give more obvious reference points like see that building, or that sign, or that light, etc.  Those are not the intended targets but they are just guideposts to get you to your final destination.  You find those guideposts, then your friend give another step towards that "thing" you both are trying to see at the same time.  Slowly you are working your way toward that "thing" via many buildings, moving objects, "guideposts"! Finally, your eyes get to the final destination and are now able to see with others the same thing.

Psalms 123 is the final destination.  Starting with Psalms 120, the first guidepost, the next few Psalms guide us towards Psalms 123.  The writer tell us to first CALL on the name of the Lord in our distress.  Then their eyes are lifted to the HILLS for help assuming He resides on Mt. Zion.  Then their eyes went with them to the HOUSE of the Lord.  Then finally in Psalm 123 the writer's eyes look to the LORD GOD Himself.  Not the mountains or the house of God, but to God Himself.

How many times have we looked to people, brothers and sisters in Christ, our pastors, our small group leaders, our ministry leaders, our spouses or children for help?  How many times have we gotten so desperate we decide to drop in at the church down the block one Sunday?  How many time have we turned to things that could host God or have a connection to God as a last resort?

Today, in the middle of your last resort, I encourage you to turn and fix your eyes on Jesus.  Look to Him alone.  People and things will fail or may last for a season, but Jesus never fails and His love and mercy is everlasting.  In Hebrews chapter 12, it reminds us to throw off every care, weight, sin, burden that holds us back.  It challenges us to run your race with perseverance.

If you have still not set your eyes on the "final destination" that people or God has been trying to get you to see, today make a dedicated decision to fix your eyes on Jesus Himself.  All that you are going through have been "guideposts" to get to you to see Jesus.  He is the author and perfecter of your faith.  When you finally see HIM, what a joy, love, peace, and hope you experience!

Enjoy The Ride,

Pastor Cee