Supposedly, at the unveiling of the Titanic and prior to its maiden voyage, an employee of the White Star Shipping Company described his company's engineering marvel by saying, "Not even God Himself could sink her." The rest, as they say, is history.
Not smart to tempt God. Not smart to test Him. Not smart to dare Him to show His stuff. Fortunately, we have an adversary who isn't all that smart.
Satan: "I will ascend to heaven, above the stars of God. I will set my throne on high; ...I will make myself like the Most High." (excerpts of Isaiah 14:13-14, ESV)
God: "No you won't." (Isaiah 14:15, Sword_in_DC Paraphrase)
I was just reading Psalm 3:
1 O Lord, ohow many are my foes! Many are prising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, q there is no salvation for him in God. Selah1 3 But you, O Lord, are ra shield sabout me, my glory, and tthe lifter of my head. 4 I ucried aloud to the Lord, and he vanswered me from his wholy hill. Selah 5 I xlay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. 6 I ywill not be afraid of many thousands of people who have zset themselves against me all around. 7 a Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you bstrike all my enemies on the cheek; you cbreak the teeth of the wicked. 8 d Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Good News Publishers.
I had always read this passage as someone calling from the depths of despair and hopelessness. I had even sung it that way - mournfully, more of a plea for rescue than a rejoicing in any rescue that had already occurred. But yesterday I read the first two verses in an entirely new light:
1 O Lord, ohow many are my foes! Many are prising against me; 2 many are saying of my soul, q there is no salvation for him in God. Selah1
Yes, there are many enemies. Yes they surround me. But what is this I hear them saying? That there is no salvation for me in God?
Can you hear the arrogance of your soul's adversary? Can you hear the gleeful gloating? "She's really dug a pit this time! We've got her surrounded! Her problems are so big that not even God Himself could save her!"
I can almost picture our heavenly Father on the throne, turning towards the sound of such arrogance. "Excuse Me? What did you just say?, almost as if to give the adversary one quick chance to take that dare back.
Satan: I will be like the Most High.
God: No, you won't.
Man's Arrogance: Not even God Himself could sink her
God: We'll see about that.
The turmoil and turbulence that attack and grind on in your life: Not even God could rescue you.
What do you think God's answer will be?
I see God's answer in the rest of the Psalm, for "Salvation belongs to the Lord!" He is more than enough to save. So, the enemy surrounds me, and many have given up on me, but I know that God Himself is my shield (all around me), my glory (the fire that burns within me), and the Lifter of my head (the One walking with me who encourages and assures me of victory). THAT is why I can lie down in peace and sleep, and awake refreshed, and not fear, even while the enemies are still all around me.
So, today, if you see a problem staring you in the face and mocking your faith, I pray that you will see it in a new light. It isn't mocking you - it is mocking GOD; challenging Him to rescue you; 'double-dog-daring' Him to do something about it. And I haven't read anywhere in Scripture where God ever backed down from such a challenge. Pray in confidence, knowing that God will act because of His great love for you, and for the glory of HIS NAME.
Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, b for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 2 Why should the nations say, c “ Where is their God?” 3 d Our God is in the heavens; e he does all that he pleases. 4 f Their idols are silver and gold, g the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths, hbut do not speak; eyes, but do not see. 6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. 7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. 8 i Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. 9 O jIsrael,1 ktrust in the Lord! He is their lhelp and their shield. 10 O jhouse of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and mtheir shield. 11 You nwho fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield. 12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless othe house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron; 13 he will pbless those who fear the Lord, q both the small and the great. The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Good News Publishers.
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