TROUBLED
Everyone has moments when they feel like Wile E. Coyote, crushed under a boulder as the Roadrunner’s cheerful “beep, beep” echoes overhead. Everywhere we turn, trouble seems to find us while everyone else seems to be cheerfully “beep beeping” through life.
When Jezebel, the Israeli king’s wife, sought to destroy the prophet Elijah, he became fearful and fled. He isolated himself and grew depressed. His eyes turned inward, believing he was the only one troubled. Satan, the troubler, was troubling him.
UNDESERVING
It’s easy to look at others’ lives and think they have it all together. We see their in-front-of-the-camera lives and quickly compare them to our behind-the-scenes lives. We believe we don’t, nor will we ever, measure up in God’s eyes. We feel we don’t deserve His kindness because we stay focused on our mistakes and shortcomings. Forgiveness and redemption seem out of reach.
God often uses powerful object lessons to teach profound truths. To illustrate His deep hurt after Israel chose to love and worship other gods, God asked the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a known prostitute. It wasn’t long before Gomer returned to her promiscuous ways. Yet God instructed Hosea to do the unimaginable. God wanted to use Hosea to trouble the troubler.
UNQUALIFIED
Do you ever question whether you are truly qualified to serve your family, friends, or church? Maybe you wonder why everyone else got to drink a gallon of talent and you only got to lick the spoon. We all know people who have talent oozing out of their pores and, honestly, we are envious.
Gideon knew that feeling of inadequacy. When God told him to rescue Israel from the hand of the Midianites, Gideon said, “But Lord, how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15) Gideon even asked for a sign to prove that God was who He said He was. He obeyed God at night because he was afraid. The troubler was still troubling Gideon.
BUT NOW YOU KNOW …
When you’re troubled, you can do what Elijah did. You can remember that you are never alone. You live in the constant presence of God. You might need to take a nap, wake up and eat, then rest some more. Troubles always seem bigger when we’re tired and hungry. Rest, sit in God’s presence, and listen intently. He will help you face your troubles and use them to bless others. (1 Kings 19)
When you feel undeserving, remember that God did for Israel what Hosea did for Gomer. Even though Gomer didn’t deserve it, Hosea paid an exorbitant price to get her back so he could love her. Jesus did that for us. No matter what you’ve done, or said, or thought, God loves you and wants you close so you can feel His love, grace, and mercy. Once you do, you’ll be changed. (Hosea 1-3)
When you feel like you have nothing good enough to offer God or anyone else, remember Gideon. Though he felt inferior, God used his feelings of inadequacy to defeat a mighty Midianite army. (Judges 6-7) Anyone can do what they have the strength to do. But only those who trust in the Lord can do more than they can imagine. It’s really true; God calls the unqualified and qualifies the called.
I’m all about troubling the troubler as much and as often as I can. I don’t like him. He and I know he’s already been defeated. When he troubles me, I picture his squirmy little body crushed under my feet and remember what Paul told the Romans:
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” (Romans 16:20)
“Beep, beep!”
