“And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. But they were prevented from recognizing him.”
Luke 24:15-16
We live in tumultuous times. Everyone is on edge, and it appears that it would take one wrong move for our nation to come to a brutal end. The culture has shifted so far off track, parents struggle to teach their children godly principles that compete with worldly messages. The truth that wasn’t debatable two generations ago is now sifted through a lens that has been corrupted by evil agendas and outrageous claims.
So much to be distracted by; so much to worry about.
In the Luke passage above, the men were walking the seven-mile journey to Emmaus, disheartened by all that had transpired over the past few days. For three years, they followed Jesus, whom they believed to be the promised Messiah, and now He was dead. Their hearts were heavy with not only disappointment, but deep grief and sorrow.
Their leader was gone, and they were lost.
That’s when Jesus arrived and asked them, “What is this dispute you’re having with each other as you are walking?”
So immersed in their circumstances, they were spiritually blind and did not recognize Him. Of course, He didn’t reveal Himself, either. Had they known and believed the scriptures, they would have been grounded in their faith, unshakable. And Jesus, who is always so patient, “…interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.” Luke 24:27.
How often do we fall into this same trap? We have an expectation of how our circumstances should play out, and when they don’t, we fail to recognize Jesus. His plan. His purpose. His agenda. We fail to remember who holds all things in His hands. Our Lord and Savior cannot be defeated.
Rather than hold fast to our expectations, we should be earnestly and eagerly watching to see how God will work all things out for our good and His glory. When we trust in Him, we can be assured that He will give abundantly more than we can hope or pray for.
“Who among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask?” Matthew 7:9-11.
Regardless of the hurdles we face, as individuals or as a nation, God is at the helm. Every promise in Him is “Yes, and amen!” Will the answer to our prayers match our expectations? Probably not. But we can be assured, just as the travelers to Emmaus discovered, that His plans far exceed our limited imaginations.
As we feed on God’s Word, by the power of the Holy Spirit, God will reveal Himself to us. We don’t have to be thrown off by the concerns of this world when we have a Savior who walks alongside us—and often, carries us.
In a troubled and tumultuous world, stay focused on the Lord, and He will bring peace in the midst of it all. Watch the Lord work in breathless expectation—because He will never disappoint His children.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, how merciful and gracious You are. Please forgive us when our eyes are more on the circumstances than they are on You. Help us to always seek Your Word to feed our needs rather than trying to figure things out from our limited perspectives. You are a good Father, who promises to walk with us and teach us, as Jesus did the travelers on their way to Emmaus. Teach us to keep our eyes fixed on You alone and not be drawn to the left or right.
Comments 2
“GREAT CONTENT” Jennifer!
As per usual your newsletters are always worth the read!
Thank you for your faithfulness to God and for doing your part in building His Kingdom!!!
Blessings to you in all of your upcoming adventures.
Lots of love!!!
Author
Thank you so much, Beth. You’re always so very encouraging.