Gtcotr/ss012217
Have
you ever had a problem? Of course you have. In fact I imagine many of you have
faced or are currently facing something which you would like to see change.
These might not be big problems but nonetheless you don’t want to experience a
repeat. Life presents us with snapshots based on the past. The bus you rode
yesterday brought you here and it has capacity to keep circling until you
either get off or change buses. That can be a wonderful reality if you like
where you are but a nightmare if you don’t.
In
August of 1945 the United States dropped 2 atomic bombs on the Japanese cities
of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. These bombs created horrific pictures of those
devastating moments. The snapshots they present can only be fully explained in
light of the past. Although they served to threaten the future of the Japanese
people and our enemies around the world, the bombs were directed at encouraging
change so that the future could be brighter and better for all.
The
pictures were published in hopes that there would not have to be a repeat
before change took place. And indeed, the picture of the problem engendered
enough motivation to affect a change. But it was their choice.
Each
day life presents us with pictures of the past. Some are as simple as walking
by a mirror and realizing you don’t like the clothes you’re wearing or your
last haircut. Others like school report cards, bank statements, pay checks,
stepping on the scales, traffic tickets or lawsuits are perhaps a little more
challenging. However, from haircuts to divorce decrees, snapshots of these
moments are most often pictures of a problem in the past. From there we
determine if those problems are only pictures of the past or if they are prophecies
for our future. Changing buses is a matter of choice.
In
life things get messed up, losses occur and tragedy strikes. When we see a
problem we have an opportunity to act. Our actions, our attitudes, the
decisions we make and the steps we take will determine if the problems take
over or if we take charge and begin building a better future.
The
truth is, “No matter how bad it is right now believe
me, you can make it worse.” God’s hope is that we won’t make it worse or
worse yet, just allow it to get worse on its own while we sit back and bemoan
the picture.
One
of the better accounts of this principle is observed in the life of King David
in the book of Second Samuel chapter 12. (2 Samuel 12)
It’s about 1000 to 1050 years before Jesus was born. The nation of Israel was
enjoying great victories and tremendous growth. David had established Jerusalem
as the capital of Israel and the recognized City of God. David had built a
house for himself and was the undisputed leader of the Jewish people. No one
denied David anything … all loyalty was given to him.
Several
factors which we will not take time to discuss today contributed to David
making the greatest mistakes of his life: David fell into adultery with a
married woman, got the woman pregnant and subsequently murdered one of his loyal
soldiers so that he could marry the soldier’s wife. God was evidently
disappointed with David and sent the prophet Nathan to confront the King.
2 Samuel 12 NKJV
15 ¶ Then Nathan departed to
his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and
it became ill.
16 David therefore pleaded
with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the
ground.
17 So the elders of his house
arose and went to him, to raise him up from the ground. But he would
not, nor did he eat food with them.
18 Then on the seventh day it
came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell
him that the child was dead. For they said, "Indeed, while the child was
alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him
that the child is dead? He may do some harm!"
19 When David saw that his
servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore
David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" And they said,
"He is dead."
20 So David arose from the
ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into
the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he
requested, they set food before him, and he ate.
21 Then his servants said to
him, "What is this that you have done? You fasted and wept for the
child while he was alive, but when the child died, you arose and ate
food."
22 And he said, "While
the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ’Who can tell whether
the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’
23 "But now he is dead;
why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall
not return to me."
24 Then David comforted
Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and
he called his name Solomon. Now the LORD loved him,
25 and He sent word by
the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the
LORD.
When
putting first things first this year remember to repent. David wrote Psalms 51
about this moment and therein he repented before the Lord for the sins he had
committed. There may be little or nothing you can do about yesterday or the
problems you caused or faced. However, there is everything you can do about tomorrow.
Recovery from any problem is solved by being right with God and realizing that
each snapshot of our life is an opportunity to get right with God and do things
right next time.
2 Corinthians 4 NKJV
17 For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory,
18 while we do not look at
the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things
which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The
biggest problem you face may only be a snapshot of the problem … a culmination
of the past. Take a moment to make sure you are right with God and then commit
that this is not the picture of your future. Get right with God and do things
right from here on. God will not leave you to live
under the penalties of the past. He will create a fresh opportunity
because His mercies are new every morning.
Six
days after the US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Japan repented, got right with
the world and started doing right in the world. Since that moment, we have
never had to use that awful bomb ever again. Thank God those pictures were only
pictures of their past. However … change, and therefore the future, was
completely up to them. It’s a choice!
Let’s
put first things first … repent, get right with God and keep living right!
