Are You Pushing God Away?

Posted on by Keith Haney Posted in Devotional Message, The Journey of FaithTagged , ,

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The story has been told of a believer, Frederick Nolan, who was fleeing from his enemies during a time of persecution in North Africa. Pursued by them over hill and valley with no place to hide, he fell exhausted into a wayside cave, expecting his enemies to find him soon.

Awaiting his death, he saw a spider weaving a web. Within minutes, the little bug had spun a beautiful web across the mouth of the cave. The pursuers arrived and wondered if Nolan was hiding there, but on seeing the unbroken and unmangled piece of art, thought it impossible for him to have entered the cave without dismantling the web. And so, they went on. Having escaped, Nolan burst out and exclaimed:

“Where God is, a spider’s web is like a wall,

Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web.”

Where God is not, a wall is like a spider’s web.”How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing! (GWN) Luke 13:34b

Jesus Christ has shown himself more than willing, to receive and entertain any poor soul that comes to him, and put themselves under his Lordship. “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings, with such care and tenderness!”

How willing are we to give up control?

I can’t speak for other sinners, but I personally like to be in perceived control of my life.  Now mind you I have not often done a great job with that control, but I still love the idea that I am in control.  Take a step back and look at the reason we sinners struggle with the above verse.  It summarizes a struggle we have with Jesus for control.  Jesus enlightens us with the divine truth here.  You are not protected, not under the wings of Jesus, because of one reason, our “unwillingness.”  God didn’t turn His back on us. It’s is just the opposite.  We reject His care.  People chose self-reliance.  Our strength is more appealing. Independence rules that day. The pull yourself up by your own bootstraps has led us to desire to do things our own way.   Consequently, we come running to God when our strength fails. This desire for control left the blood of Jesus on Israel’s head and covers ours as well. Jesus laments the choices humanity makes. You read that remorse in the verse above. Oh, how I wished you had taken a different path.  That you made wise choices. Would it be better for you if you trusted in the One who cares for you deeply?  Jesus cares for you.  His care led Jesus to give His life to save you from your sins.

As we face the tough choices and times in our lives today may God guide us.  May He encourage us to trust in Him. The Holy Spirit points us back to the power of the Cross “It is my desire to gather you, to protect you from the trials of life, and through the blood of Christ gives you eternal life.” So, often in the midst of life’s toughest moments, we feel alone, isolated, wondering where is God in all this?  Know that God is there.  Waiting to bring you under His protective wings, if you are willing to give up control. God stands ready to encourage, ready to protect. Are you listening, are you seeking, are you willing? Maybe we are not trusting that the spider web is God’s wall and seeing only the spider web?

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father gives us hearts ready and willing to receive that word of encouragement and the protection offered by you. In Jesus name. Amen.

20 thoughts on “Are You Pushing God Away?”

  4. Reply
    Sammy J says:

    Thank you so much for this. I am currently dealing with this in my life…I know God’s power and will for me but somewhat I can’t seem to completely surrender or I get too comfortable and lazy to do anything (be it read my Bible or talk to God). I am slowly loosing His touch and I can feel it in my life then why is it so hard to follow Him? Why is it so hard to just let go and trust Him? I am good at encouraging and motivating other people to always listen and turn to God but it is so hard for me to follow that advice. Well I hope I get to a point I can no longer take it and I know exactly what I need to do. Maybe I have reached that point and that so called tiredness and being exhausted makes me not to even go to Him. I am weary. Well this post made me think about all this so thank you for posting.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Reply
    Denny says:

    Some of my most remembered regrets are when I push God away. Not that act necessarily caused pain or suffering, did sometimes though. I remember the full realization that I chose to take my Lord off His throne in my life for that time. Now I wonder what abundant adventure was missed because of my pride and folly. A forgiven sin forgiven by the one I rejected, Only In God’s Kingdom can this happen. I hope His reply is still: Feed my sheep.
    Denny

    Liked by 1 person

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