Embracing Him

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isaiah 45:2-3)

Earlier this week, a friend rang our doorbell. As soon as I opened the door, I could see that she was not doing well. I immediately welcomed her in, escorted her to a comfortable seat, and asked what was wrong.

My friend spent the next hour or so explaining her stressful situation. Her husband’s work hours had been slashed drastically, her furnace was in need of repair, her washing machine died the previous night and needed to be replaced immediately. She was wondering how to pay for it all and maintain a positive attitude in spite of the unpleasant situation.

Unfortunately, my friend’s story is a common one that has been replayed in many homes across the country. However, my friend’s desire to maintain a positive attitude in spite of her difficult situation is most uncommon! Tough financial times have pushed many to the breaking point and many find themselves brutally battered by the daily storm of bleak economic news. When times become difficult, are we to jump off the rocky mountaintop and risk a fatal fall into the valley of despair? How can we maintain a hopeful positive attitude in times of despair?

During this morning’s quiet Bible reading time, I found a great answer. Isaiah 45:2-3 is a reassuring passage of scripture that offers important lessons for trying times. First, the scripture notes that God goes before us and paves the way. Though we may have been surprised by the sudden economic downturn, God was not. He knew these times were coming long before they arrived and ultimately He is in control of everything. He can level the mountains and place us on a smooth and firm foundation.

Next, God can destroy the barriers that imprison us. God alone has the ability to tear down the heavy bronze gates and cut down the thick iron bars in our paths. Finally, God has riches for us but they are stored in a secret place. These riches may not be material in nature, but don’t doubt their worth! Peace, contentment, faith, and security are just some of the riches we can access when we embrace God. When we turn our lives over to Him, He will guide us and give us access to the riches we need to survive the darkest of days.

Why does God opt to do these things? The reason is simple. He wants us to recognize Him as the sovereign One, the One who truly controls every detail of our lives. God has called each of us by name and has invited us to fellowship with Him. When we accept His divine invitation, we can embrace Him whether we’re on a mountain high or in a valley low! Though we may not be able to see how we’ll survive these uncertain financial times, “the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places” are more than enough to help us prevail! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Photo: Courtesy of Dornoff Photography (Flickr)