He Uses All Things - Rob Sherwin

I recently shared an experience of getting stuck in the snow on a Scottish road trip. What was remarkable was how suddenly the circumstances changed. From there being no snow forecast with clear roads just a few miles from our destination, to the snow falling, the wind picking up and creating a drift that became unpassable within minutes.

Finding ourselves well and truly stuck going up a hill and anticipating a night in the car waiting to be rescued, I attempted to push the car up the hill (what was I thinking??) and going nowhere fast. But suddenly 4 or 5 men joined me from vehicles that had arrived behind us and we all pushed the car half a mile over the brow of the hill, and suddenly we were on our way again (thanks to the men of Turriff!).

Life can be like this, circumstances change so quickly when we are merrily going on our way. Trouble can suddenly come upon us and it’s easy to panic and think the worst. But as suddenly as trouble comes, so can deliverance… you just have to position yourself and be ready. It may delay… but don’t ever give up.

There’s a little more to this experience. In pushing the car up the hill with the help of the men of Turriff, I exerted myself more in those few minutes than I had done in a long long time, my heart was thumping at an alarming rate and with the cold air and snow, I could hardly draw breath.

As I got back in the car with thoughts of imminently meeting my maker, I coughed and coughed for nearly 20 minutes. I won’t try and describe the phlegm, but something certainly cleared from my lungs that night, because the next day I went to do some press ups and found to my surprise a greater capacity to exercise than I had for many months. The exertion had actually dealt with something hidden that I had just got used to.

God has an amazing way of taking the troubles of life, things that can alarm and pressure us, and then use them to deal with hidden issues and then expand and increase our capacity. I read the first chapters of Exodus this morning and it is a prime example of this. God took 70 people and multiplied them into a Nation, taking every trouble and pressure thrown at them, weaving his purpose throughout them all, culminating in the sudden arrival of a deliverer, Moses, who despite his own pressures, weaknesses and doubts achieved amazing things because he was willing to listen to, trust and obey the voice of the Lord above all the troubles and pressures he faced. (Exodus chapters 1-3)

I encourage you to keep reading the Word, listening for his voice and being willing to obey what he says. Do not be alarmed and discouraged by the sudden arrival of trouble for we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28

Have a great day.