Are You On A Sinking Ship?

It's been quite some time since I last looked out my front window.  The leaves are changing into beautiful colors.  Red berries are looking more pronounced -  the mornings have been cooler, crisper;  and the once kept yard looks tired.  Birds that I've stopped feeding a year or more ago still light onto the branches playing "visiting" me little while.  This is what I've enjoyed in the past ~  Have I just lost interest?  Or .  .  Maybe I've just lost me ~  Maybe I've finally reach the tired of moving mode ~
I'm convinced that my family and the friends I have don't believe it will ever happen; there are days when I even doubt it myself.  But it's a must.  .  .

Many people watched the 1997 movie Titanic with the romantic tale of Jack and Rose.  Somehow in this movie directed by James Cameron you were able to identify with all the different characters that were portrayed and more so than older versions.  Of course it could be just my take or a simply well done movie.
Last month - a few weeks back - was an extremely difficult time for me (all of us) and what flashed into my thoughts at that time was the sinking Titanic.  The most vivid part was when Jack drop into the depths of the cold dark Atlantic.  However, and almost instantaneously a small voice said; "Be strong and courageous."





Have you ever been on what seemed like a sinking ship? Where everything around you was so overwhelming you were starting to fear what will happen to you?  You wanted out of what has become and entrapment but couldn't leave?  You were starting to feel defeated while focusing on the situation at hand.  This was the problem I was starting to allow the problem to take hold by focusing on them.  I knew in my heart this much was true the Lord has never failed me He has never failed us.
  
"Be strong and courageous (of good courage).  Do not be afraid (fear not) or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you:  He will never leave you (He will not fail thee) or forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV (KJV) 

There are so many things in the Old Testament I enjoy reading about - so much insight - life's lessons to help you through tough times.  One story came to mind as I thought of the sinking Titanic was in and starting in Numbers 13, when Moses sent out twelve spies to check out the land that the Lord was giving them.  For forty days they spied in that land learning all the could and gathered fruit of the land to show Moses and the congregation.   As the spies returned; they preceded in telling them - "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.  Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large;" ten spies had their focus on how many as well as, the strength and size of those they were to over take in fact they appeared as grasshoppers in comparison.  They allowed fear to take them and they delivered a bad report.  They forgot all the miracles the Lord their God had done thus far.  Only two of the spies gave a good report - they to recognized the situation at hand but that didn't deter them in their report.  They knew God, they remembered who He was, what He'd done and the promises He had for thous that placed their trust in Him.

This still holds true for us today.  How is your report? There is nothing impossible with God; absolutely nothing!  Yet there are time we take are eyes of the Lord and become as grasshoppers to our problems.  We can be so deep into the cold dark waters that we loose sight of the truth.  David wrote in Psalms many many times of his redeemer and David held on to God's truth.  His Word.  His promises. 

Those who go down to the sea in ships,

Who do business on great waters;

they have seen the works of the Lord,

And His wonders in the deep.

For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind,

Which lifted up the waves of the sea.

They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths;

The soul melted away in their misery.

They reeled and staggered like a drunken man,

And were at their wits end.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,

And He brought them out of their distress.

He caused the storm to be still,

So that the waves of the sea were hushed.

Then they were glad because they were quite;

So He guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness, 

And for His wonders to the sons of men!

Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people,

and praise Him at the seat of the elders.

Psalm 107: 23-32

This is a new month - a new week and I'm holding on to a good report.  I know that He will do just what He says He will do.  "Be strong and courageous!"  Oh, and the spies and those who listens to the bad report; there outcome wasn't so good.  Those that listened to the good report - Well they entered the land flowing with milk and honey.

"The land which we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.  If the Lord is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us--a land which flows with milk and honey.  Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey.  Their protection has been removed from them and the Lord is with us; do not fear them." Numbers 14:7-9   

Do not FEAR; do NOT focus on the problems - Focus on the Lord, dive into His Word - it is living.  Mediated on it day and night as in Joshua 1: 8 "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9  

FYI on the Titanic band members they did in fact play as the ship was sinking and what they played was Nearer My God To Thee.    For more information click here Titanic.