Deliverance

When we face great difficulties in life, we generally seek deliverance.  If we are facing financial collapse, we pray for a windfall.  If our boss is a bully, constantly pushing and demanding, we ask God to open up a door of opportunity somewhere else.  If we are suffering the ravages of terminal cancer, we beg for healing.  From whatever it is that is stealing our joy, robbing our resources or draining our life - we desire deliverance.

But what if the difficulty was the deliverance?  What if our dependence on money was a barrier to our faith and God allowed our finances to fail in order to give rise to faith?  What if our pride kept us from yielding to God's will and the bully boss was allowed to teach us humility?  What if our hope was rooted in this world instead of the kingdom of God and a terminal condition was exactly what was required to adjust our sails?

What if it were victory in our struggle instead of victory over our struggle we needed in order to insure a greater victory?  Do you recall the Lord's instructions about facing the challenges of providing food, clothing and shelter in Matthew 6?  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?" (v. 25).

He tells us not to focus on the struggle but to set our sights on something greater, that real life is so much more than arranging to have all the necessities of existence on planet earth.  He calls us instead to a higher plane of existence, to raise our sights above the horizon of daily life: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (v. 33).

The point, therefore, is instead of seeking deliverance from our struggle is to seek deliverance in our struggle.  Notice the call of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

Jesus doesn't promise to take our burden away, he calls us to be yoked with him so that he can help you work through you burden.  The deliverance is not in being free from the struggle, it is in being yoked (pulling with) the Lord.  The focus shifts from the burden we are called to carry to the One who will enable us to carry it.

So, here is the takeaway from this word on deliverance: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn 16:33).  Focus on the Christ not the circumstance.  Jus' Say'n.