MY NEEDS YOUR NEEDS

 

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

 

MY NEEDS YOUR NEEDS

 

Ps 27:10

10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

2 Sam 16:11

11 And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life:

 

Isa 49:15

15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

 

This general thought has been rattling around in my mind for the past couple of days. I’m not sure why except that someone reading this may need these thoughts. I hope to list in some reasonable order what is on my mind and to simply say that Jesus can’t be compared to any other relationship. The psalmist expressed the need of the orphan. David described the pain of having a son pursue him in battle. Isaiah could not imagine a nursing mother forgetting her duties. Yet our closest relationships sometimes fail.

 

1. What will I do when the one I rely on FAILS me?

 

This circumstance calls to our strength and independence. We dry our tears, and we lie to ourselves and say that we did not need them anyway! We may pout, complain, or seek retribution. Some solid rock in our life has crumbled and we have lost our moorings.

 

The simple reality is that the most reliable of friends sometimes fail. They are, after all, only human and the frailty of being human makes them susceptible to failure. The next question is more difficult.

 

2. What will I do when the one I rely on NEEDS me?

 

This is a greater strain on relationships and often proves whether love is the glue that holds it together. What will I do when the one who always lifts me up needs to be lifted? How will I respond when I must be the one to minister? Will I be strong enough or dependable? The Widow of Zarephath found herself responding to an impossible request. How did she respond? She simply gave what she had – she did what she could.

 

1 Kings 17:12

12 And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.

 

3. What will I do when I feel I can’t do ANYTHING?

 

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater!

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase.

To added affliction, He addeth His mercy;

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

 

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure.

His power has no boundary known unto men.

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus…

He giveth – and giveth – and giveth again!

 

Dear Lord, someone today feels drained and down! Please fill them and lift them up. AMEN