In Danger
“When the men of Israel saw that they were in danger (for the people were distressed), then the people hid in caves, in thickets, in rocks, in holes, and in pits. And some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he was still in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.” 1 Samuel 13:6-7
We see again the power of emotional and physical pressure can cause a return to places of perceived comfort or safety remembered from our past. These are not just physical (substance, diversions) but also includes emotionally or psychologically safe places. The word “distressed” or “hard pressed” is from the Hebrew word (tsar lo) which means “narrow/tight ” or "in a tight situation.” It comes from the root (tsarar), meaning to be in straits or under pressure. The people of Israel first sought refuge in caves and built up the strongholds during the time of the Midianite oppression (Judges 6:2) and now the people were returning to familiar patterns of behavior.
The Highway of Holiness has many of these narrow places designed by God to draw us toward him but there is always a danger to return to the sinful strongholds of the past. "Because narrow (Greek stene, root of stenosis) is the gate and difficult (make narrow by pressure; pressed upon) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mat 7:4).
Psalm 118:5 "I called on the LORD in distress (Tsar lo); The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place (spacious place NIV, set me free NLT). Prayer doesn't always change our physical circumstances but prayer does always change us in the midst of our circumstances if we prevail and not give up. May we call on the name of the Lord in the midst of all our places of distress today.
We see again the power of emotional and physical pressure can cause a return to places of perceived comfort or safety remembered from our past. These are not just physical (substance, diversions) but also includes emotionally or psychologically safe places. The word “distressed” or “hard pressed” is from the Hebrew word (tsar lo) which means “narrow/tight ” or "in a tight situation.” It comes from the root (tsarar), meaning to be in straits or under pressure. The people of Israel first sought refuge in caves and built up the strongholds during the time of the Midianite oppression (Judges 6:2) and now the people were returning to familiar patterns of behavior.
The Highway of Holiness has many of these narrow places designed by God to draw us toward him but there is always a danger to return to the sinful strongholds of the past. "Because narrow (Greek stene, root of stenosis) is the gate and difficult (make narrow by pressure; pressed upon) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Mat 7:4).
Psalm 118:5 "I called on the LORD in distress (Tsar lo); The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place (spacious place NIV, set me free NLT). Prayer doesn't always change our physical circumstances but prayer does always change us in the midst of our circumstances if we prevail and not give up. May we call on the name of the Lord in the midst of all our places of distress today.
Posted in Judges, Matthew, Psalms
Posted in Testing-Temptation-Trials, Peace/Soul Health, Rest, Strength, Sanctification/Growth
Posted in Testing-Temptation-Trials, Peace/Soul Health, Rest, Strength, Sanctification/Growth