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Welcome my friends to season 3 of the Determined to Dance podcast. My prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to persevere daily in our chaotic world. Today’s episode, God’s Faithfulness, focuses on finding safety in God’s hands.
Show Notes: God’s Faithfulness
This week’s episode could be considered the second part of the dance of trust. God is faithful and longs for us to trust Him. In Daring to Dance with God, Jeff Walling tells the story of his family visiting the ocean when he was a boy. He was afraid of the big waves. His father convinced him to walk into the ocean while holding his hand. He felt fear in the beginning but ultimately enjoyed the ocean and its waves.
Walling then says: “Those memories are so much like the way God deals with us. He offers his hand, and we fearfully take hold. But our lack of faith and trust keeps us from enjoying the water. What might happen tomorrow? What if it brings a really big wave? (In Psalm 139) David reminds us that God’s hand is strong and sure. There is no wave that can tear us from his loving grip.”
God is faithful. But even the strongest Christian can struggle at times to believe this. Here are four ways the enemy tries to pull our focus from the Father.
- By temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13: “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.” NKJV
- By trials and tribulations. 1 Peter 4:12-13: “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” NLT
- By distraction. 1 Peter 5:8: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” NLT
- By fear. Psalm 34:4: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears.” NKJV
I’m sure there are other ways but I find these four rank pretty high in my daily life. In one day, I might be tempted to bad mouth someone, take care of a sick grandchild, binge-watch a TV show, and fight against fear over an unexpected bill.
Am I the only one who’s had a day like this? I didn’t think so. Sometimes my focus remains on God despite the ploys of the enemy, but at times I lose my train of thought. It’s like when I start to say something and forget right before I get the words out of my mouth. One minute I know what I’m going to say, the next the words are gone. Into thin air.
The main lesson I’ve discovered through it all is no matter how I react to struggles, positively or negatively, God is still faithful. If we run into the waves by ourselves and find we are floundering, we just need to reach out a hand and God is right there.
Every single time. Let’s pray: Father God, we love You and thank You for being faithful. No matter how the enemy tries to turn us away, You never leave us. Your hand is outstretched and You are waiting for us to call. There is nothing greater than being Your child. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
Today’s featured author is Fay Lamb, author of The Ties that Bind romance series. Looking for some good summer reads. Take a trip to Florida and fall in love with four Florida natives, Charisse, Libby, Hope, and Delilah. These books, and all of Fay’s books are available on Amazon and at all book retailers. Learn more at FayLamb.net.
Next week, we’ll talk about trusting His lead. Until then, stay determined to dance…
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together
Very helpful and powerful. I really need to do this.
Thanks. Remember, small changes along the way make all the difference…