Hitherto Has the Lord Helped Us!

Lately I have had more computer problems than I have ever had. Trying to open programs, trying to stay connected to the internet, recovering files that seem to have disappeared. Trying to get my work done in a timely manner is becoming increasingly difficult. The frustration level is climbing!

I shouldn’t be surprised – when you purpose in your heart to set goals and attempt to accomplish certain tasks – there is a real adversary that seeks to hinder that progress – particularly if it will impact the Kingdom in any way! The words come to my spirit:

“Beloved think it not strange concerning this fiery trial as though some strange thing has come upon you,” – we should never be surprised at the work of the enemy – in fact in many ways he is a barometer that indicates whether our work is accomplishing something for God!

Thus we press – we press in on the task at hand, we press in on discovering the natural source of the challenge (with three computers, why are all three acting up?), we press in to hear the voice of God – that still small voice that tells us – “this is the way, walk ye therein!”

One of my greatest desires this year is not to give place to the enemy of my soul. As we grow in years – and in maturity – one of the things that should be a by-product is at least to know “us!” We may not have discovered the secrets of the kingdom, we may not have discovered what makes our closest relatives tick, but we should be able to determine what makes us “tick!” Because satan has no new tricks, he usually plays the same tune over and over – he may change the key, but he doesn’t change the notes – most of us know what is going to bring us frustration, anger, resentment, bitterness, etc. Now knowing is not always preventing, but what happens is we are able to recognize the attack and move full speed ahead to “resist the devil, so he might flee!” And if he perchance should gain entry into our heart – we have the insight to know that we have power over all the power of the enemy – and because God delivered us before, He can and will deliver us again!

I always love Sundays – not only is it a day to come among the saints – hear a good Word, and praise our God – but it is also the beginning of new week – it gives a chance for us to leave the problems of last week there, and to move forward into a whole new week that never was before, and will not be again. So I press – the computer problems that plagued me last week are not going to plague me this week – God is going to move in my behalf. Just as I asked Him to help me last week with another problem, so He is going to help me this week with any and all the problems I have. Lke Samuel, I’m going to say:

11And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.

12Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

13So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. 1 Samuel 7:11-13 (KJV)

May God Bless and Strengthen You, this Lord’s Day!
Maria