Collapse: April 3, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2012.

COLLAPSE

DEFINITION:

Break; fall down; sudden failure; succumb; cave; fail.

SCRIPTURE:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. Isaiah 43:2.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Have you ever been in so much despair that you felt as if you were sinking in deep water? The difficulties in life can be oppressive and many people today feel that they are sinking fast. God does not promise that we will escape the turbulent seas of life, but He does promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. This promise is one that each one of us should continually remember because it is true that Jesus does care for us. He cares so much for us that He gave His life for us.

In the verse above, Isaiah reminds us that we can trust our faithful God to always be there in all of our struggles, including when we feel we are collapsing under the pressures of life and there is no hope.

We are living in an age where the lives of people all around us seem to be collapsing. The everyday situations around us, including life-styles, economic frustrations and dysfunctional families, should be of deep concern for all of us who know the Lord. We see nations collapsing economically. We see families collapsing with over 50% of all marriages failing. We see children, victims of both broken homes and homes with no standards being taught, who are collapsing because they fall into drugs and sex and the evil ways of the world.

People are losing jobs, losing their homes, lacking the money to buy food and most people have nowhere to turn. If you are facing what you feel is a “collapse” in your life, there is a verse found in I Corinthians 10:13 that we both memorized when we were children and it has been one of our favorites for years and has always helped us when we felt our world collapsing. The fear of collapsing is the result of temptation trying to overcome you. Here is the verse:

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

When difficulties seem to be sweeping over you like a flooding river remember the words said by Isaiah, “God will be with you.” When our world seems to be collapsing all around us, as believers we can be sure that God will be with us. He will protect us against a loss of our faith and will see that we will survive to see the wonders of His faithfulness. But we must keep our eyes on Him and put our complete trust in Him.

Before your burden overcomes you and you feel a collapse coming, trust God to put His arms underneath you.

LEARNING:

This week we are memorizing the fifth commandment found in Exodus 20:12.

Honor your father and your mother, that your days will be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

PRAYER:

Thank You for Your protection that You give me each day as I face the temptations of this world. Keep me from collapsing under any pressures I face today.