I think perhaps I mentioned a little of this before. I hate change. In fact my dearly beloved bride of 38 years
might even suggest that I am a teeny, weenie, itty, bitty obsessive about
it. Nonsense! I just don’t like to make unnecessary changes
is all. The furniture is perfectly
functional right where it is. Really, is
that such a bad thing? We can all be
just a little crazy about facing change.
But it happens. The bigger the change the more it can be upsetting. Jacob was 130 years old when the message came
to him to not only change the furniture, but he was to take his entire family
from the Promised Land and move to Egypt.
Now that is change.
Multiple psychological studies have been done to demonstrate
what affects major changes can have on our emotional well being. A scale has even been developed with each
kind of change categorized and given a point system. The higher the stress of a change the higher
the points are awarded. Too many points
and a person could experience some real negative side effects for a while. Jacob was in the midst of some mind blowing
changes. He needed some reassurance that
all would be well.
As this challenging time came upon Him God met with him and
said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I
will make of you a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt’.” (Gen. 46:3-4)
Now there is a promise that has never changed. “I will go with you.” Jesus said to His disciples, “And lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Hebrews 13:5 reminds us of a promise God made in Deuteronomy 31, “I will
never leave you or forsake you.” God
does not leave His own. He stays right
there with them
This is a great promise when it comes to dealing with
change. Whether it is change of job,
change of family situation, change of living conditions or any other
traumatizing change in life, God is there.
He is there!! That is, after all,
one of His names. And if God is there,
what harm can come to me in His Almighty presence?
Edward H. Bickersteth, Jr. wrote “Peace, Perfect
Peace”. A couple of stanzas will help us
cope with the traumas of change. Abide in the peace of God’s continued presence
as you sing these lines. “Peace, perfect
peace, with sorrows surging round? On Jesus’ bosom naught but calm is
found. Peace, perfect peace, our future
all unknown? Jesus we know, and He is on the throne.”
Visit my website at www.davidccraig.net for inspiring Christian
books.
You may also find some of my selected daily devotions at www.blog.FEBC.org
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