“Look, I know you are depending on Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff, which pierces the hand of anyone who leans on it! Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who depend on him.”
–Isaiah 36:6 (NIV)
Gregory S. Larsen found himself in Norfolk Circuit Court on claims that his crutches allegeedly broke. Already having settled out of court with the hospital, his case was against the crutch manufacturers.
The victim of a 37-year-old knee injury, he told the court that he was using the crutches propperly when they gave way. His doctor also testified that further injuries kept Greg from going back to work.
While the defendant called two doctors who disputed this assertion, both sides were kept waiting. The jury deliberated for six days, but once back in the courtroom, Greg was awarded a sum of $300,000.
Now, however, let’s turn our attention to ourselves. While self-examination can definitely be painful, we need to stop and ask ourselves what kind of crutches we are depending on, in obedience to God’s Word.
Are we leaning on Christ and the love and faithfulness which He offers, or are we leaning on the broken crutches which the world holds out? Many of these broken crutches may seem harmless at the time, only to claim more and more mastery over our lives.
In this flawed catagory, we may have things like comfort food, or an unhealthy obsession with something that promises a temporary form of escape. While all of us have gone on binges, the problem is that if these breaks are not repaired by our coming back to God, they will only grow wider. Like a small crack in anything else, we usually notice them only when they grow. Then it is too late for us to repair the dammage.
Our focus may shift even further from a loving God, to things which are stronger in our eyes. These things may include various substances or activities which mask our need for Him, until one day our false crutches suddenly break beneath us. Not surprisingly, we fall under the cares of life, feeling hopeless and devastated. Then Satan comes along, and tries to convince us that it is too late to come to God.
But according to the Bible, nothing could be further from the truth. God loves us, and He promises that He can weave everything together, bringing good out of the mistakes we have made. He invites us to stop depending on the world and lean on Him, as He guides us through the wilderness of life.
So if you aren’t depending on Him, I would encourage you to do just that today. Find in God a friend who is a real source of support. While there will be storms in life, we can stand tall, as we take each step with Him.
Thank you for reading this, and may the Lord give you a wonderful week! We are trying to reach people who are hurting, so if God lays it on your heart, please consider becoming a partner with us. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.hcmachaplains.org and click on the Donate Now link. You can also send donations by mail to HCMA (Healthcare Chaplains Ministry Association). Our ID number is 560. The address is 101 S Kraemer BLVD, Suite 123A, Placentia, CA 92870.
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If you have questions, comments or prayer requests for Timothy or Stephanie Burdick, please call 507-369-6861.