You Can't Keep A Good Man Down!

(This article was first published in the Swazi Gospel Sun, Nov 13 -Nov 26, 2010)

There is a popular saying that goes, ‘You can’t keep a good man down’. As I am writing this piece I am reflecting on the words by the great Psalmist, King David I read last night saying, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24)..

It is very saddening to see someone going down, deep down into troubles. It is even worse when you cannot figure out how you can help this person get back to the top. Getting in a difficult situation sometimes is inevitable and most of the time is avoidable. However, the most crucial step is what you decide to do when you find yourself in that situation.

The greatest mistake we make is that we tend to run away from God instead of running back to Him. We tend to think that we got ourselves in this situation and therefore we will get ourselves out. We tend to convince ourselves that we will deal with it in our own way. We forget that God can deliver us from whatever situation. That is the fastest way to drive ourselves further into the quagmire.

On the other side of the coin, there are times when we find ourselves in sticky situations not because of our own doing. It might be the environment around us or people who are all out to ensure that we do not succeed in whatever we are doing. Let us face it, we are living in a world where people find pleasure in seeing other people disheartened and frustrated. You better understand that is what makes gossip news so sweet for them!

One of the most encouraging stories I have read in the Bible is the story of Elijah when he fled from Jezebel. Most of us know the story of Elijah and how he killed the prophets of Baal after demonstrating how the God we serve is great. Jezebel was not pleased at all and vowed to kill the prophet of God.

“Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.” (1 Kings 19: 3-5).

Elijah had come to a point where he felt ‘enough is enough’. He did not see the reason for living and was greatly discouraged. Even though he stood firm and represented God’s kingdom in a hostile environment, the troubles were not coming to an end. I know some people are feeling the same. They are asking, “Why me Lord?” Do not be afraid, God is watching over you.

As you read the story of Elijah, God sent an angel to Elijah while he was sleeping and gave him some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. Elijah ate and drank before going back to sleep again. Remember, Elijah had been running away from Jezebel for a day’s journey (estimated to be between 32 to 40 kilometers); obviously he was hungry and tired. God provided for his needs contrary to what Elijah had prayed and asked for. Elijah was acting on his feelings, his emotions but the good Lord knew exactly what he needed at that particular time!

Although he was down, Elijah, a good man of God was not out. God was holding his hand throughout the situation. When he did not have the strength to go on, God was there to pull his hand. You can’t keep a good man down!

“The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.” (1 Kings 19: 7-8)

My dear friend, it does not matter how many problems you are facing God will give you the strength to rise above them. Elijah found himself in a very disheartening situation. The Israelite had rejected God’s covenant, God’s altars had been destroyed, God’s prophets had been killed, he was the only one left and his life was sought after. However, God was with him throughout these circumstances.

The Apostle Paul writes in the Epistle to the Philippians that whatever happens let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. All you have to do is to turn to God and remain faithful to Him. David says “Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3).

When you are in that dark corner and you have given up on life, just run back to God, He is good and always ready to forgive. His mercy is abundant to those who call upon His name. When the enemy is laughing you cannot be shaken because you know a good man cannot be put down.

Today stand up and say, “Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, The LORD will be a light to me” (Micah 7:8).

A good person is the one who trust in the Lord all the time and ensures that he/she walks according to the will of God. Get up and eat, for the journey is too great for you! We have the Word of God that we can feed on to gain strength. Whatever happens, just remind the enemy that ‘you can’t keep a good man down!’

*All scripture quoted from the New King James Version unless stated otherwise

Encouragement is a Daily Necessity

(This article was first published in the Swazi Gospel Sun, Oct 30-Nov 12, 2010)

I find it a bit funny that each time I want to write about encouragement as a subject I end up doing it instead. It is like a farmer who is trying to teach someone how to plant cabbages and ends up doing the planting. I want to believe encouragement is something we need to live by.

Most often than not I find that people need someone to say or do something to give them courage when they are in their lowly state. In the absence of an act of encouragement the enemy finds an opportunity to come in and plant thoughts that will drive that particular person away from the Lord. How many times have you seen or heard of people turning to alcohol, drugs, sexual activities and even suicide because of depression? Somebody could have noticed the signs at some point.

In most cases we are so pre-occupied with our lives that we become oblivious of the people around us. The Word of God says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others,” (Philippians 2:4 NKJV).

To me this simply means that you should care about the next person. You should be ready to listen when they need to get something off their chest. What I have come to realize is that once someone talks to you about what is bothering them they feel relieved and better. What encourages them is that at least someone cared to listen.

One of the amazing experiences is when someone comes to you with their problems and hope to get a solution from you when you are also dealing with your own issues. Each time I offer words of encouragement to someone I feel re-energized and encouraged myself. That has inspired me to keep on encouraging the people I interact with.

What we say is very important. You should know what the right words to say and the right time to say those words. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29 NKJV)

This is an important part of life because you never know what the devil might do during that time when the person has lost courage. The Word of God says, “See to it brothers that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness,” (Hebrews 3:12-13 NIV).

Sometimes people wonder how one manages to keep a positive attitude in all situations. True, this is not so easy and it comes as a result of surviving several trials and tribulations. In this life I have learnt that my challenges are nothing compared to what others are going through. That makes me feel better, but it doesn’t take away that I am facing a challenge and I have to deal with it.

Let us be frank, there are times when you wish to be left alone to deal with the situation on your own. These are the times when you do not need anyone to come to you with ideas borrowed from self-help books. These are the times when you do not even have the courage to open your Bible. These are the times when you get tired of hearing people telling you “it’s going to be ok!” In essence these are the times when you do not want to hear from people who want to help you.

The other day I was touched by a friend who sent me a message about the troubles she was going through. What was most difficult was that she could not spell out the real problem. All she could say was that it was something that has to do with her past and now manifesting itself and messing with her life.

This is just one example of people who are going through such emotional rough patches that they cannot share with other people lest they are judged or ridiculed. The enemy finds a perfect opportunity to install thoughts of death or ‘permanent loss of memory’ as the best solution.

How do you come out of such a situation with a positive mind? Paul says, “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content,” (Philippians 4:11 NKJV). To be content means to be satisfied (or happy) with who you are, whatever happens it does not change who you are. You are complete in Jesus Christ and you can do all things through Him because he strengthens you. In other words, you remain with the faith that Jesus will give you the strength to pull out of any situation.

It all begins with locating yourself – who you are and where do you stand? If you have a solid foundation in your life you will be content with the knowledge that whatever the situation, it shall not sweep you off your position. Instead it will make you stronger than you were before.

I have learned that in whatever state I am in I should be thankful to God. What is it that I should be grateful for when things are not going my way? When everything I do seem to be crashing against the wall? My dear friend, God knows and his eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Whatever happens, remain loyal to God and you will find great satisfaction inside your heart. The Word of God says many are troubles of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all. As long as you believe in this, you will be content with you current state of affairs and wait patiently upon the Lord. Remember this: “Now godliness with contentment is great gain,” (1 Timothy 6:6 NKJV).