No need to bluff

There are times when we feel like no one is "in charge" - not even us - when the moments just seem to tick on and all the chaos of the moment have us bumping into all kinds of obstacles. We all face these times - the times when life deals us a hand we just would rather not play, not even a little bit! When "dealt our hand", we can either throw it in, ante up and play, or bluff our way through. Which way are you facing what life deals you today? If you are bluffing your way through, you are likely frustrated, seeing things as very difficult to deal with, but imagining you will get through somehow. If today's plans don't work, you will try something different tomorrow. The problem with living 'out of control' is that we soon get weary trying to maintain balance with the skill and power we possess. Our attitude begins to falter and we all know the attitude soon begins to impact the altitude to which we will ever be able to climb!

The day my enemies turned tail and ran, they stumbled on you and fell on their faces. You took over and set everything right; when I needed you, you were there, taking charge. (Psalm 9:3-4)

If we throw in our hand right now, we may miss out on the reward which awaits us! If we are bluffing our way through - faking it until we make it - we may not always be able to keep up the facade! But...if we ante up, pick up our cards, and play like there is no tomorrow, no telling what we may end up with! Take heart, my friends! The very obstacles others want to place in your way are exactly what they will stumble upon in the end! The thing we think we don't have any way of getting through is perhaps the very thing we will find God's redeeming power helping us to not only 'get through', but come through with new graces built into the fibers of our being.

The day our enemies turn tail and run, what happens? They stumble upon God! They stumble upon the very one who takes over when we allow him to direct how we should play those cards in our hands. They come face-to-face with the one who has the power to set all things right - even the worst of cards in his hands can be played skillfully so as to draw out the enemy. No need to bluff your way through life - when your hand is being overseen by the God of the Universe, you have all the right cards! The more God draws them out, the more of their hand they reveal - making it very apparent how they will move next!

David knew one fact in life - when he most needed God, he knew God was there. Not just as an observer, but as the one in charge. Many times we see God as an outsider in life's challenges - just an observer, keeping an eye over us, but not really involved. The exact opposite is true! God is there! He is taking charge! We may not know how, when, or where, but he is orchestrating our "hand" according to his divine plan. I often wonder if those who set up such opposition within my life will ever get their "just rewards". I imagine I am not alone in this pondering. The answer is right there in our passage - they cannot run, they cannot hide, their course of action is in the hands of the Almighty. Not ours! He will be the one they stumble upon, not us! We try to present the best defense in the time of trial, but God is our ONLY defense in time of trial and blessing!

They stumble upon him - and they fall on their faces. I can only imagine their posture is something both orchestrated to humble them and to bring honor to our great God! Upon their faces, the only direction of hope they have is in looking up! It is the same direction we all have to look in order to find our deliverance - UP! Just sayin!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Steel in your convictions

Is that a wolf I hear?

Sentimental gush