Growing Pains
When our oldest son was 2-years old, he had two favorite phrases, “NO!” and “I do it, I do it!” Most of us are aware this is a normal developmental progression when a child realizes he is a separate person from his parents, and starts testing the limits. But, I’ve always been struck by how many of us persist in this kind of willfulness as adults. We will refuse beneficial instruction to reinforce our right to choose. We will also refuse offers of help in order to maintain control. I can only imagine how much like 2-year-olds we appear to God when He stands ready to give wisdom and aid.
King David knew more about the heart and character of God than anyone else of his time. As a result, he was always doing what is presently unexpected for a person in power: seeking direction from God, and not taking matters into his own hands. He steadfastly demonstrated his absolute need of God in all matters of life (definition of humility), whether facing giants, enemy forces, or plagues. He constantly acknowledged God before all the people: “I will praise You, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of You among the peoples. For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Psalm 108:3-4)
Because God’s faithfulness was a settled issue with him, he also said in Psalm 108: “Save us and help us with Your right hand, that those You love may be delivered.” “Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” (vs. 6, 12-13) The Lord never let David down, no matter how stacked the odds were against him.
Those of us who have received Jesus as our Lord and Savior have the same power and favor at our disposal, IF we are giving Him the preeminent place in our lives and hearts that David demonstrated. Do we trust Jesus as Healer, Provider, Protector and Deliverer in the midst of COVID-19, or are we stressed out in life-style changes and uncertainty? Are we committing our daily activities to Him to receive His direction, or doing our best to manage things ourselves? Can we say we are moving forward in peace and assurance, or are we swimming in an undercurrent of fear? The words David wrote so long ago are just as true today. But are we going to the Lord in faith, believing He has the answer; that He IS the answer?
Our God, the Lord of all Creation, knows the end from the beginning, and everything in-between. As pure Wisdom, He knows the complexities of this virus that continue to baffle our best medical and scientific minds. But to the degree we are crying, “I do it, I do it,” He waits for us to want His help, even while His heart grieves at the death and economic tolls. Is our pride so great that we would prefer the devastation to continue, rather than humbling ourselves in repentance to acknowledge that against this enemy, the help of man is worthless? Let us be like the psalmist who said “Our help is in the name of the Lord Who made Heaven and Earth.” (Ps 124:8) Amen!