When the mountains look so big...



When the mountains look so big...


 



And my faith just seems so small

 "And lead us not into temptation... "I always felt weird about asking God not to lead me into temptation. I mean, James 1:13-14 says "No one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone..." This phrase of the Lord's Prayer makes a lot more sense to Hebrew ears. I found this on  www.hebrew4christians.com
 
"And lead us not into Massah, but delver us from Yetzer Hara."  The word for temptation is the same word for the place in the wilderness where the children of Israel rebelled against God. It is also used in Job to mean a place of despair-a melting of the heart.  "When we petition the Father to be led not into temptation, we are essentially asking to be redirected in our heart's attitude in the face of difficult and trying moments. To fall into the hands of Massah means yielding to despair..."
 
This is God's word to me this morning. It fits with the Names of God study we are doing with students at Mars Hill University. This week's name is El Roi - the God who sees me.
 
God sees me in my place of quiet desperation. He sees how big the mountains seem to me. He sees how small my faith is. He sees me ... and has compassion. He gives me comfort and works on my behalf.
 
Have you ever been to that place of despair? To the brink of giving up, walking away - maybe even running away? This is the time to pray, "Don't let me fall into the hands of Massah! Keep me from giving up. See me, El Roi." Take me by the hand and walk with me along this straight crooked path.
 
"Hold me Jesus, cause I'm shakin' like a leaf. You have been King of my glory, won't you be my Prince of Peace." Rich Mullins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IS2kG3ks9_g