“God willing and the creek don’t rise.”

Have you ever heard that phrase?  Have you ever used it?

For those who have not heard that phrase, basically, it means that you plan to do something unless you face something that you were not expecting.  However, think about the words in that old phrase.  Does God will that the creek rises?  Could God not keep the creek from rising?

Those questions come up when you think about what life throws at us.  The mass shootings that we keep hearing about cause you to stop and think, the crime around us seems to grow and baffle us, the leaders who seem to be more concerned about driving wedges between people than uniting us, the sicknesses we experience, the pain we feel, and the disappointments we experience make us confused.  So, we wonder why so many bad things have to happen.

Sadly, we live in a broken and imperfect world.  Bad things happen, and people do bad things far too often.  However, God’s message through the prophet Nahum is still true today; we read that promise in Nahum 1:7: “The LORD is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him.”

In those moments when the creek does rise, you will do one of two things: either you will push God away, or you will find your refuge in Him.

Yes, God can change things, and He often does.  However, God has chosen to allow us to choose Him and His ways or not, so we have to deal with the consequences of those who do not choose Him.

The solution to the creek rising comes in two parts.  First, we must draw near to God and allow Him to help and comfort us; we still face trials, but we now have strength, peace, and direction to face the trials.  Second, we must do all that we can to help others know the love and salvation of Jesus, so they can become His child and change their lives; people will continue to live in opposition to God’s ways until they choose Him.

I urge you to choose the right path.  Let God comfort you and let others know how He can change their lives.

Check out Elizabeth George’s book that digs further into this by clicking the picture below…