What If …

 What If​​ …

 Anyone who has listened to any news report within the last several days as heard these words. ​​ Hours upon hours have been spent speculating the ‘what ifs’. ​​ Consider the time, energy and resources that have gone into the ‘science’ of trying to figure out what might happen in this election and how people will respond. ​​ This is the epitome of living​​ in​​ uncertainty, without structure and a path to follow. ​​ As often as the direction seems to change, the predictions change. ​​ This is the world, being thrown to and fro with every passing circumstance. ​​ There​​ is another way – ​​​​ 

 Deuteronomy​​ 32:4 "The Rock! His work is perfect,​​ for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice,​​ righteous and upright is He.

1Samuel​​ 2:2 "There is no one holy like the LORD,​​ indeed, there is no one besides Thee,​​ nor is there any rock like our God.

2Samuel​​ 22:2-3 And he said, "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;​​ my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;​​ my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge;​​ my savior, Thou dost save me from violence.

2Samuel​​ 22:47 "The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock;​​ and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation,

Psalm​​ 62:2 He only is my rock and my salvation,​​ my stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Isaiah​​ 51:1 ​​ "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,​​ who seek the LORD:​​ look to the rock from which you were hewn,​​ and to the quarry from which you were dug.

 Above are just a few of many scriptures referring to God as our Rock. ​​ What do we learn from the above scriptures?

  • God’s work is perfect, just, and faithful.

  • There is only one who is God, there is no other.

  • God is our strength, and our protection.

  • God is alive; in​​ Him is our salvation.

  • God is our security, our constant in a world of change.

  • We are to keep our focus on God, remembering His mercies.

Recall Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 –

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and [yet] it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. "And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall." (v.24-27)

You​​ have two choices – either​​ you​​ build​​ your life​​ upon the Rock or​​ you​​ do not. ​​ One will provide security and​​ protection​​ no matter the circumstances surrounding you, the other will result in uncertainty and ruin. ​​ As I look around, I am amazed at God’s faithfulness to a faithless people. ​​ His love for each individual He created is beyond what we are able to comprehend. ​​ Man is sinful, there is no doubt. ​​ God is holy, there is no doubt. ​​ The suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ provides the bridge between​​ God and man. ​​ We need a​​ Savior,​​ and His name is Jesus. ​​ You​​ can choose to live in the ‘what ifs’ or​​ you​​ can choose to live in Christ, with​​ your roots​​ and security​​ planted on God, the Rock of our salvation. ​​ Protection and purpose for today, and certain hope for eternity​​ is available for all those who place their trust upon the Rock.

 

Focus Heavenward, Sharyn.

Author: Sharyn Balogh

You know it's difficult to write about yourself. The most important fact I can disclose is that I'm saved by God's grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My desire is to live a life honoring to God in response for the gift of salvation I've been given. This is so much easier said than done! I struggle daily with right choices, right words, right thoughts, and right actions. My best and only defense against sin is the power of God in me and for that I am inexpressibly thankful. I have three amazing grown-up children who have responded to God's call in their lives along with their spouses. One of the great joys of my life is knowing my children and their families strive to serve and follow God. My grandchildren are another wonderful joy in my life! My husband and I are blessed with four beautiful grandchildren to date with another expected very soon on September 12th. We also are thankful for the comforting knowledge that an additional three of our grandchildren, a set of twins at three months gestation and a little boy, Isaac, at four and a half months gestation, are in our Savior's presence. I have attended the same church since the day my eyes were opened to Truth over thirty years ago. How fortunate it is to have been led by God’s hand immediately to a church body that follows the Bible, no man-made doctrines, just the Word clear and strong. My husband is my best friend, my confidant, my encourager, and I still can't believe how blessed I am by his example of love and generosity towards everyone around him. He is God-fearing, compassionate, and kind and I have learned so much from him. I am a daughter to my almost 92 year-old mother, sister to three brothers, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, neighbor and friend. That means, whomever is reading this, we probably have something in common! I love every unique role I have been placed in. I'm frequently stretched and sometimes feel like silly putty that wants to bounce right back into my comfort zone. My greatest ambition is to be a follower of Jesus; a light that shines for Him at all times, in all circumstances. So, there it is, a bit about me. I guess I was able to write about myself after all! However, my existence cannot be defined without Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. His love has permeated my life to His glory and my eternal thankfulness.