I
had an exhausting chat with a gentleman a few days ago. He went on about “how tough
things have been” (colloquialism for financial challenges) for him; and all this
in the same way he has done every time he has visited me in the three years. Indeed
he was at his worst this time and understandably so, because his financial
challenge is at it’s very worst and he sees no way out or forward for himself.
In all the three years or more, he has been and still is, waiting for a major financial
boost which he believes is the only thing that will take him forward. This
time, he further explained that his “pill of hardship” is even more difficult
to chew, because he has lived a “clean life” devoid of sin yet God would not
inject the much needed capital that would transform his life. Of course, he forgets
that all our righteousness is as “filthy rags” before God. Though he is born
again, he acted like one under the law making a list of all the bad things he stayed
away from unlike several others whom God appears to be blessing.
Galatians 5: 4 – 5 “For if you are trying to make
yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from
Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace. But we who live by the Spirit
eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.”
It
is bad enough that he was unintentionally working out his righteousness; his
attitude becomes even more destructive, because he was obviously complaining
and murmuring against God, without intending to do so, which said attitude only
separates one from God. Indeed, the bible lets us know that God hates murmurers
and complainers. Since he was full of bitterness, thanking God was far from his
mind and all because he was at “Lo-debar”; that place where every believer
would come through at some or several point(s) in the course of life. Whilst it
is true that it can happen suddenly making it more painful, it is easier to
embrace it whilst steadfastly looking to Jesus Christ with a deep assurance of
faith that the season would pass leaving one with a testimony and their mouth
filled with laughter. It is a time to draw strength from God and waste no
energy wrestling with life. Though God does not take us there, He allows it for
a purpose and is working to bring you to a wealthy place but if you get
disconnected from Him how does He then bring you out? You may think you don’t
have strength to hold on but that is because you have not tapped into that
which is on the inside of you because everyone is strong who knows this God;
you need to tap into it.
Psalm 66: 12 amp
“You made men (charioteers) ride over our heads (in defeat); we went through
fire and through water, yet you brought us into a broad place of abundance (to
be refreshed).
Daniel 11: 32b KJV “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do
exploits.”
Lo-debar
is that low place where Mephibosheth was. If you ever find yourself there or
are there as you read, please tap into that strength that you may hold on.
There are witnesses who have been and come through successfully so you will
too. Naomi was there and she came through; Ruth was there also like several
others. Indeed, Naomi fainted but thank God for grace that sent her Ruth whose
strength provided support for her. This is not physical strength but the
strength that comes from having a real and true knowledge of God who resides in
us. Interestingly, Naomi had known God for much longer than Ruth had. Indeed
Ruth’s knowledge of God came from knowing Naomi and her family; yet she got to
know Him even better so much so that she became a pillar of strength that Naomi
drew support from. This thing has nothing to do with the length of time one has
been a believer, but everything to do with how much of Him one wants. God will
respond to anyone who seeks Him diligently.
2 Samuel 9: 3 – 5
“Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family... one of Jonathan’s sons is still
alive. He is crippled in both feet… ‘where is he’ the king asked…In Lo-debar…so
David sent for him and brought him…his name was Mephibosheth.”
Lo-debar
is that place where Mephibosheth who once lived in the palace now lived; not
even in his own house but with another household and in their home. Who would
have thought one’s circumstances could change so radically? But it did and
suddenly too. Thank God his response was appropriate. The strength one needs to
survive in Lo-debar and respond appropriately when it’s time to leave is not physical
otherwise Mephibosheth who was lame in both legs would not have survived and
made it out of there; it has everything to do with knowledge of God which is
the result of deep hunger for and pursuit of Him as well as a readiness for Him
to come so that one can respond correctly despite the difficulties one is
engulfed in.
1 Corinthians 10:
10 “And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel
of death.”
Murmurers
will most likely miss God when he comes to take them out of Lo-debar because
murmuring and complaining impairs vision. It limits thanksgiving which the
Psalmist says prepares the way for God’s salvation. How can anyone thank God
genuinely if they see no reason to do so. Nobody will take for you the steps
you need to take to go forward, God will make a way and grant one the grace to
walk through it but it has to be your decision and feet to walk; hence the
gentleman has been there for longer than God intended. Of course, Lo-debar is
not the most desirable of places but a valley experience that we will all go
through if we must become whom God has destined for us to be and accomplish
that for which we were saved. Don’t hide from it and don’t seek it: it shall
surely come at some point and you can’t be there even one minute longer than
necessary. God bless and strengthen you.
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