The Right Handle

 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.

The Right Handle

Precious Brothers and Sisters who walk by faith and not by sight,

God was again teaching me to live in an attitude of heart, which accepts everything, as it comes, everything as from His hand. Everything. Acceptance, being half the battle.

When we learn this lesson well, we will live a crucified life and we will apply this truth in daily surrender. Partial surrender is no surrender at all. Authentic surrender is to learn to accept everything, as from Him whom we love, as it comes. The struggles and trials are never what we expect, nor are they great things to write home about, but the daily bumps and rubs of life. Often I trip over the small things, the senseless little nothings, of which I am ashamed that they so easily best me. Yes, these very things are what can flatten a man in minutes and leave him shamed and stilted.

While cooking over an out door fire, I reached out and took hold of the pot’s handle, forgetting it too, was very hot. I was instantly reminded and let go with a yelp, but was left with a painful reminder of my foolishness! It is a good life-lesson when we learn to take hold of things by the right handle. Amy Carmichael states: It is a very good thing to learn to take things by the right handle. An inward grouse is a devastating thing. I expect you know this, we all do; but it is extraordinary how the devil tries to ‘get’ us on the ordinary road of life.”

On the ordinary road our ‘feelings’ are in conflict, engaging in a war with what we know is true. Our feelings can easily overwhelm us and open the door to discouragement. Run to Jesus and be reminded you are ‘in Christ’, your strength and position are eternal. All is well. Go deep in Him who is your joy and song. Deep in the Lover of your soul, obeying His word. Go deep in Him who is your Mighty Warrior; for nothing less can keep you to the end.

We want to be saved from our misery, but not from our sin. We want to sin without misery, just as the prodigal son wanted inheritance without the father. The foremost spiritual law of the physical universe is that this hope can never be realized. Sin always accompanies misery. There is no victimless crime, and all creation is subject to decay because of humanity’s rebellion from God.”
― R.C. Sproul, Choosing My Religion

Jesus alone is the right handle in time of trouble; especially when one thing after another is going wrong and you seem to be losing ground. By faith take hold of the right handle, for this is when the enemy of your soul whispers his lie Especially about what ‘should be’ or ‘might have been’? What do we do? We go on steadfastly in faith, choosing obedience, one step at a time doing what we know is right. The love of Christ compels us.

II Corinthians 5:14 NLT

Either way, Christ’s love controls (compels) us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.

Compel: to force or oblige (someone) to do something

• to bring about (something) by the use of force or pressure

• poetic/literary drive forcibly

 for we walk by faith, not by sight— II Corinthians  5:7

Oh that we would walk in a conscious awareness of His sweet Presence! Yet, it is not a requirement if we are no longer babes in Christ. It is joy to have such feelings; but as you mature, you will progress to the point that feelings are not required. You know He is near you and in you. The eternal thing, the great thing is not my feelings, but His facts. So even as we struggle on this earthly journey, it is always a faith-test and we can honor and glorify His name by trusting Him in faith, no matter how we are feeling. I find pleasing Him is far more important than pleasing myself.

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18

Mighty Warrior, You who hear every beat of my heart and love me beyond understanding, hear my prayer for my sisters and brothers who struggle with life and ‘feelings’ and obeying You and loving You. Transform each us into the likeness of Your Son, the Sacrifice Lamb. Give us understanding to walk by faith and believe You keep us and love us, faithful Father. Lord work in our hearts to love you and desire to please You more than ourselves. Life can knock us down and then dance in death on our backs, while we cry out helpless to deliver ourselves. Keep us faithful in all we do not understand and give us faith to believe You, our Deliverer, are greater than all the enemy can heave at us. You love us immeasurably and I bow in awe and praise of You.  In Your Son’s name, amen

Praying for you all this week,

az

The Simple Gospel (Good News) Message The Gospel (or Good News) message of Jesus Christ is so simple that it almost defies understanding. Jesus death on the Cross was for you.