Our refrigerator died. Second fridge demise in six months.
The next week my computer met its maker. It went like an apple with a bite out of it.
Sometimes life is like that.
“Grandma,” my grandson said in astonishment when he walked into my kitchen. “What’s that?” He pointed to the shiny new fridge that replaced the old one.
“What do you see?” I asked.
He ran over to it and put a finger on the stainless steel.
“The ‘fridge died,” I said.
“Did it go to heaven? He asked.
“Nope. Pretty sure it didn’t,” I told him.
The time invested in cleaning out, finding place for, trying to save the food, phone calls, repairman, paper work … well, you know. It’s been a mess. Between trying to save food and trying to get rid of food, the kitchen turned into a war zone, with ballistic missiles.
Absalom, whom King David loved dearly, betrayed his father. On the campaign trail to take the kingdom from his father, he stole the hearts of the people. He plotted. He schemed. He conspired. He grew a following, stealing away David’s friends and advisors. A coup, son versus father, had begun, and David, heartbroken and afraid, fled for his life.
… many are saying of my soul,’There is no salvation for him in God.’ (Psalm 3:2 ESV)
David knew what people were saying. He saw the division and weakness Absolom’s treachery brought to his people.
As I read Psalm 3, I saw that my study Bible notes recorded three things.
What David saw.
What David believed.
What David prayed.
I found those good things to remember when a fridge dies, or life gets tangled.
What do you see today?
When my fridge died, I saw a counter heaped full of food, a sticky wet floor, and the laundry hamper overflowed with things I later hauled downstairs to the freezer.
When my computer died, I saw an overwhelming task of deadlines to meet and writing undone.
David from the view of a cave, looked at gray, dark, and rocky walls with dirt floors. He saw enemies. He saw danger. He saw people who mocked him.
Look around you now, what do you see?
What do you believe?
Physical sight and spiritual sight war with each other. What we see with our eyes and know to be true in Scripture are often opposites.
Little inconveniences like fridges and computers irritating though they be, simply reinforce what I know to be true. God is faithful. He will give wisdom to confront every situation. He is in charge of every seemingly out of control happening. God is Able.
David believed salvation would come from God.Physical sight and spiritual sight war with each other. What we see with our eyes, and know to be true in Scripture, are often opposites. Click To Tweet
But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. Psalm 3:3 ESV
When David could only see with his eyes the inside of a dank dirty cave, (probably with spiders and snakes, I’m thinking), he remembered God. Outside the cave he knew enemies surrounded him. Still he believed he could trust God.
What do you believe in the situation you are facing?
What is your prayer?
When our beliefs drive our prayers, we recognize Who God is and our prayers reflect His victory.
As I prayed about the craziness that dumped us for a week without our refrigerator, I recognized God had work to do in my heart. That unseen work was so much more important than what I could see. Whatever happens, God is Able. He reaches a hand and walks us through slippery ground.
Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. (Psalm 3:7 ESV)
David prayed for help. He spent much of his life hiding from enemies and trying to keep alive while others wanted him dead. He hid in caves, palaces, and fields. So much of his life passed, waiting for dangers to end and enemies to be defeated. But his past encouraged him that God had been faithful before. He would be faithful in his current trial.
What is your prayer today?
What did David Do?
.… many are saying of my soul,’There is no salvation for him in God.’ (Psalm 3:2 ESV).
The salvation David’s enemies mocked, David confirms to be true.
Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! (Psalm 3:8 ESV)
What do you see? What do you believe? What is your prayer?
So…what will you do?
*feature photo by Bradley Dunn on Unsplash
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Thank You God For The Child We Never Knew
J.D. Wininger
Amen ma’am. While often difficult in the midst of a trial, your advice is so right! Sometimes we need to quit looking at a situation with our worldly eyes and human senses and instead apply our spiritual eyes to really see what’s behind the problems we face. When we do that, it becomes much easier to plant our cross in the ground and stand firmly in our faith. It’s amazing how the problems lessen when we do that. God’s blessings ma’am.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you J.D. as always I appreciate your wisdom. I often feel like I’m a very slow learner in looking with spiritual eyes. Grateful for a patient Father.
Don Pahl
So true, Sylvia.
They why, I wonder, do we always us that “God is good” phrase when God makes life good for us?! How about, “ My fridge died – God is good!” “My computer died – God is good!” “My friend just died – God is good!” “I have cancer – God is good!” Not “… but God is good!”
God is good no matter what we see, what we believe, or what we feel. That “God is good” opens our eyes and informs our prayers!
Great reminder, again, Sylvia!😊
Sylvia Schroeder
Don, thanks so much for your insight. It is so very true. To see through the eyes of faith really doesn’t need that “but.” His character cannot be anything but Good.
Nancy E. Head
Thanks for the encouragement in the wake of my dead washer. Life goes on. He leads the way. God bless, Sylvia!
Sylvia Schroeder
Did it go to heaven? Thanks, Nancy.
Katherine Pasour
Sometimes worldly circumstances threaten to overpower us, just as the calamity of a broken refrigerator took center stage in your life. But your advice is spot on–seek the Lord in all situations so earthly temptations and trials don’t overcome us. Thank you, Sylvia.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Katherine. I appreciate your reminder. Seek the Lord in all situations. I’m needing to remind myself.
Sharon
We are definitely in a war, aren’t we … but the victory has already been won. Praise God!
Sylvia Schroeder
Yes, Praise God! Thank you Sharon.
Yvonne Morgan
Great lesson and message Sylvia. It is so easy to get caught up in the negativity without really looking and seeing what God is doing in our lives. I hope this new fridge lasts a whole lot longer.
sylvia schroeder
So do I Yvonne! Thank you for your sharing your thoughts. I agree, it is far too easy to get caught up in the negativity. I’m so grateful there is a whole lot more than what my eyes see!
Annie Yorty
Excellent insights pulled from this message, Sylvia. I often need this reminder to pause and think through each of the questions you found in Scripture. Thank you!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Annie! I’m honored you found it helpful, and I always appreciate your responses!