4/20/11

Oh, NO!!!!!!

This reminds me of a situation I faced in Februrary 1977.  I had just finished work and it was about 5:30, so it was completely dark.  The ground was covered with about 6 inches of snow and so was my brand new ford Pinto (yes, I was one of those fortunate few who actually owned this bomb on wheels).  I was in a hurry to go home because my youngest daughter was having a birthday party, so I just wasn't as careful as I usually am about the car.  After I started it up and began to scrape the snow off the windshield, I thoughtlessly closed the door.  Then in horror, I realized I had locked my keys in the car and to make matters worse, the engine was just warming up, so it was on high idle.  Ever been in a bad situation?  What did YOU DO?  Here are a couple of examples from the Bible.

1 Samuel 31:1-6 (WEB)

1) Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.

2) The Philistines followed hard on Saul and on his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

3) The battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.

4) Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me!” But his armor bearer would not; for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it.

5) When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him.

6) So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.


Philippians 1:12-26 (WEB)


12) Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;

13) so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;

14) and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.

15) Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.

16) The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;

17) but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.

18) What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.

19) For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20) according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22) But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.

23) But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

24) Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake.

25) Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,

26) that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again.

Saul gave up, and Paul didn't.  The difference... faith.  Paul put his life in God's hands and that made all the difference.  So, the next time things look bleak, (and sooner or later they will) remember these two people and make the right choice.  Oh, as far as my car is concerned... I managed to short out the battery and stop the engine so it didn't do any damage.  Some bystander just happened to have a coat hanger, so I was able to open the car.  I was three hours late for the birthday party and that wasn't such a good thing....