He's rolling up His sleeves...

          I am always amazed at how God speaks to me every week giving me something interesting to write about. Last week it was about crushed glass and He used a video on the subject to help me visualize those times when we feel crushed, defeated, discouraged, hopeless; those times when we may just want to give up and in fact we may actually do just that.
         Happily, right on the heels of that He brought my attention to a song, as if to remind me that it’s not over, He’s right there and He will come when I need Him. It’s a song by Toby Mac entitled: “Help is on the way,” and it just seemed to be such a powerful word especially when we may be in situations where we feel trapped, as if the storm will never end. This song was on repeat on YouTube and in my mind. I was singing and playing it so much that I think my children were getting tired of hearing it over and over. But for me it was a song of hope and encouragement; that God sees our tears and hears our prayers and He certainly does not turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to our pain and struggles.
         This week God reminded me of Hannah, the prophet Samuel’s mother. She was desperate for a child and it did not help that her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, kept tormenting her about her barrenness. Even though their husband loved her more and tried to show it, it just wasn’t enough because he truly could not understand her desperate need for children. She was alone and had no one to turn to but she cried out to her God and He did not let her down. God came to her rescue and blessed her with a child and as she promised Him, gave him back to Him to be of service to Him among the priests (1 Samuel 1). God in turn blessed her with more children (1 Samuel 2:20-21).
         I also think of David. He went to the battlefield to carry food for his brothers and found out that the Philistine giant, Goliath, was challenging the Israelite army. He became indignant and decided to put this giant in his place. The problem was that David too was totally alone. The Philistine army were of course against him, but the Israelite army, his own people, did not support him because they did not believe he could defeat Goliath. Not even his king, Saul, had the confidence he could defeat him. But David knew his God, he knew what his God could do because he had seen him do it when He helped him kill a lion and a bear in defence of his sheep. So, like Hannah, as David stood alone before his giant, he trusted his God to do the impossible and God did not let him down (1 Samuel 17).
         In both instances, help came when they needed it. Both situations were impossible. Neither person felt capable in and of themselves to deal with their situation, but, they both trusted in their God. They both turned to Him and depended on Him to do what neither they nor anyone else could do for them. And when they trusted in their God, He came to their rescue.
         There is a part of the song by Toby Mac that really catches my attention. I listened to the song story behind it and he mentioned a particular portion of scripture, which he included in his song. It speaks about God “rolling up His sleeves.” I became intrigued that such a verse could actually be in the Bible, so I started searching. I found it in Isaiah 52:10. The version that is most commonly seen however, is: “The Lord hath made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations....” But there is one version, the Message Bible or MSG translation, which translates it as this: “God has rolled up His sleeves. All the nations can see His holy, muscled arm.” This version may not quite work for some of us but let’s face it, it gives the idea of a God who is letting the whole world be aware of His strength, His ability, His power. He is not a weak god who can’t but a very powerful God who can! And as I listened to that part of the song, sung over and over as if to drive home the point, I could almost picture God rolling up His sleeves, one, as if preparing to fight for us, and two, to let everyone know that He has already won the battle. He is the undisputed and undefeated champion and no devil in hell could ever change that! 
         So, the next time the devil or anyone or any negative situation tries to intimidate you and beat you down, just remember that Jehovah God, El Shaddai, El Gibbor, is our champion and He hasn’t lost a battle yet ... and He never will!!! 
 
         If you don’t have a relationship with the God who fights for you and wins your battles, I encourage you to invite His Son, Jesus, into your life. Allow Him to come in and take charge of every battle, every situation in your life that is bigger than you and sit back and watch Him do what He does best ... fight and win!

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