God is Amazing (Part 2)

I find I don't want to write part 2 of this devotional.  God is still amazing, but I am just so human!  Most of us do not like to see ourselves in that light, but alas, it is so true where I am concerned.

After experiencing a week of victory given to me by the Lord, I went into a valley.  It all started with an almost sleepless night followed by a second and a third restless night.  Why wasn't I sleeping well?  My mind would not turn off.  Along with a lot of changes and adjustments in my life, I let a very small, insignificant thing throw me.  Someone did not do what they had agreed to do and I finally realized why it caused me so much angst.  It was a reflection on my leadership, or should I say, my lack of leadership.

This valley came for several reasons, I am sure.  One, I focused on the situation and on the bad light cast on me rather than on God and His ability to make something good out of a less than good situation.  Add to that the lack of rest and a "full plate" (almost everybody has a "full plate" these days) and you have a scenario for depression and discouragement.

Satan attacks us at our point of vulnerability.  I do not function well when I do not get my rest, thus the devil's attack.  Keep in mind that during the mountaintop and the valley I was spending time with the Lord every morning.  It wasn't like I had neglected the Lord, but Satan's attack came in spite of this fact.

When Elijah was depressed and wanted to die, he had just experienced the most wonderful victory on Mount Carmel against Baal.  The first thing he did after praying and asking God to take his life was to lie down and sleep.  An angel awakened him to eat and he fell asleep again.  This same scenario was repeated again.  Once Elijah was rested, the Scriptures say, "And the word of the LORD came to him. . . ." (1 Kings 19:9b)

I, like Elijah needed rest.  Once the Lord gave me rest, I began to feel like a new person.  1 Peter 4:11b says, "If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ."  For this time in my life, God has called me to a lot of areas of service.  He continues to provide what I need and assures me He will continue to provide.  I just have to rely on Him and His strength and not get sidetracked in trying to do things in my own small strength.  "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)

Ah, rest, it changes my perspective!  After much prayer, I am convinced that God will provide everything I need to go through this busy time in my life.  He is All-Sufficient and He always equips us for what He calls us to do.  God truly is amazing!!