CHANGE IS POSSIBLE (Part 4)
SONG:
Jesus can do all things.
O yes,
He can do all things
O yes.
TEXT:
"And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head." (First Samuel chapter 1 verse 11).
There are records of people in the Scripture who were desperate for a change. In addition, we have the account of what they did to obtain the change they so desired. You and I can learn from what they did, learn from what they learned, act as they acted, and get what they got.
A perfect example of what it is to pour out the soul before the Lord is the story of a gracious woman called Hannah. For many years, she was childless until she decided she must have a change. She went into the house of the Lord, fell on her face before God and prayed, made a vow, and prevailed.
While she agonized in prayer before the Lord, the intensity of her plight became apparent and overwhelming that Eli the high priest charged her with being drunk; but she answered and said “No, my Lord; I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.” (First Samuel chapter 1 verse 15.)
How determined are you to change your present ugly situation? Your case may be financial, academic, health, etc. How compelling and dire is your desire for a change?
Hannah had been going to Shiloh on a yearly basis to worship God, but on this particular day, she said in her heart, "enough is enough."
If your problem does not move you, do not expect it to move God.
The prodigal son in the book of Luke chapter 15 verses 11 to 32 did the needful
"And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee." (Luke chapter 15 verse 17 to 18).
The prodigal son said "l will arise and go to my father"
Another example is that of the widow and the judge in the book of Luke chapter 18 verses 3 to 5. The widow came to the judge saying, "...avenge me of mine adversary."
To find oneself in an undesirable situation is not new in life. Yet, our attitude at such times is what matters the most.
The position you decide to leave today will determine the place you will be tomorrow. You cannot arrive until you depart; so also, you cannot shine until you arise. The Bible tells us to
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." (Isaiah 60 verse 1)
Our shining is tied to our rising. This has to do with some good measure of determination, making conscious and deliberate efforts, doing the unusual, leaving one place for another to obtain our God-given promises and blessings.
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for being faithful to Your Word. I receive the performance of every of Your promises to me in Jesus' Mighty name.