"Gone"

 Reflections4Life™ August 13, 2023

“Gone”

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

Scripture Contemplation: Deuteronomy 28; 2 Kings 18; Proverbs 3; Matthew 27:43; 1 Timothy 

©Ruthe McDonald.

What would you do if everyone you loved, everything you had was gone? No warning. No time to prepare. Just gone? Many of us have been lulled by a sense of security; not because we trust in God, or believe that He can take care of us. We are lulled by comfort and security in the things we have and the people we know. But what if? What if you had none of those things, and you found yourself in the midst of a war every day of your life, not knowing if today was going to be your last day? What would you do? Who would you trust? And could you truly trust in God to take care of you, although everything is crumbling around you?

I decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart mind and soul. In a moment’s time everything we know, believe, and love can change. Everything can be gone. Learn to trust in God, allowing Him to anchor you. Receive His instructions on what it means to walk in total peace when all around you chaos ensues.

Suffering

Romans 5:3-5 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

All around us people are suffering. They are losing someone they love. Families are being torn apart. Children are dying. I could go on. Yet, many take for granted the peace and safety that we have, seldom thinking about the what if’s.

As part of my research, I watched several documentaries in addition to reading some articles, researching the effects of war and the effects of gun violence on our youth and families. Perhaps some may think that this is not something you would like to hear on a Sunday. Or something that you do not care to reflect upon at this time. Then when is a good time? When is a good time to hear what the Father has to say? When is it a good time to see what the Father wants us to see?

I know from experience how things can change within a twenty-four-hour period. In fact, a twelve-hour period. Death and tragedy know no time frame. They can come at any moment. Before you know it, everyone and everything you love can be gone. The world you know is gone. The peace you have is gone. And what you believe can be gone as well.

God is With Us

1 Timothy 4:10 “For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.”

If you believe in and have an intimate relationship with God, and you are reading your scripture daily, then you know that God has warned us that such things as this would happen in our lifetime. It is inevitable. However, He has given us His word that He would be with us always. That, He would never leave us or forsake us. That, although everything that we know is gone; all has changed; He will not change. And in Him, we can find and maintain a strong foundation, and a place to move forward in.

I particularly love The Message Bible’s translation of the above scripture:

“You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.”(vv. 6-10)

I look at the thousands of lives taken in communities due to gun violence. Children killing children; making a sport of taking the life of someone who may have looked at them the wrong way. Or, people are so heinous to take the life of a child just to make a parent suffer. Or, the ensuing danger that people of color find themselves in on a daily basis just because of the color of their skin, and the injustices that continue to plague our communities.

It can be hard to say to many that God is true to us when our child, husband, brother, sister, wife, or dear friend’s life has been taken without any repercussions to the assailants, whether they wear a badge or not.

What do we say to people left behind to deal with the loss? What, as believers can we offer? We can offer God. We can offer our prayers. We can offer our silence and just be there. Sometimes, just being there for someone will be the comfort that they need to begin to heal.

How Long Would You Fight?

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not give up.

Far too many of us sit in judgment; especially those of us who call ourselves believers. We are quick to pass judgment and cast someone off, rather than be who God called us to be: loving unconditionally, kind, understanding, faithful, concerned, non-judgmental, partial, fair, and not pompous. We use our religion as a weapon, creating toxic relationships and pushing people away.

My heart and prayers go out to the people who have lost everything. And those who have lost their entire families. I cannot fathom what their hearts and minds must be going through, with the thought of death a constant in the hearts and minds of not only adults but children, as well.

How long would you fight for what you believed in? Too many of us have given up on God quicker than it takes for paint to dry when something in our lives does not go as planned. Yes. Pain is real. Tragedies are real. Life is real. But guess what? God is real, too. And His word, His promises are real also. And when all is said and done, and everything and everyone is gone, God will remain.

My Beloveds, May the spirit of peace and prosperity finds permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Life will throw us curve balls that can take the wind out of us, causing us to fall to our knees. Allow God to pick you up and lead you. Things can and often will change without notice. In our lifetime, we will suffer loss but we do not have to do it alone. We can get through it when our trust is in God. He is the one constant that will always remain. Trust Him, and He will lead you in perfect peace. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2023. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.