Why Cry Wolf?

The other day I heard a maintenance man say the he had disarmed a smoke detector. For some reason the detector was in a constant state of alarm. When it should have been triggered by external circumstances due to faulty internals it was alarming based on the brokenness inside. There may have been a short in the circuit that allows power to flow through the device. The story of the shepherd boy speaks to being in a constant state of alarm.

The little shepherd boy kept his flock at the foot of a mountain near a dark forest. The boy was lonely and devised a plan to get attention by crying wolf. The first time he sounded the alarm the villagers came out to assist him. The second time he cried out the villagers again came out to his aid. He cried out a third time when there was an actual emergency and the people didn't respond. This is all due to his being in a constant state of alarm, thus manipulating the people to satisfy his own desires.

I have noticed through my own set of circumstances that sometimes our spirits can be in a state of alarm. The constant feeling of need causes discontentment with circumstances and will not allow us to see the presence of God and trust in His ability to keep and protect. The feeling of loneliness is only perceived. Patience has to have its place in our lives. There are three areas of our walk that can bring things into perspective. The willingness to wait, the ability to trust and a desire to put away our own thoughts.

We are told in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Sometimes waiting for the promises of God can cause us to get tired. This verse assures us that these things happen. The book of Deuteronomy 20:3 states, "And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;" When we approach the time of trouble and have to do battle with the things that hinder us sometimes we can look at past failures and concede defeat. The Lord urges us to not allow our past failures to paint a picture of loss but to trust in Him and see His salvation as we approach the battle of redemption. The book of Proverbs 3:5 by the grace of God and Solomon's wisdom tells us to, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." The way we think has everything to do with the way we come out of a trial. The story of the Hebrew boys in the book of Daniel chapter 3 shows us just how God desires to move in our lives. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were faced with the challenge of bowing down to an idol god or to be cast into the burning fiery furnace. They responded to the opposition, King Nebuchadnezzar with the confidence of faith. "The God we serve is able to deliver us." As a result they were cast into the fire and were brought out unharmed. We are told in the scriptures that their clothes did not smell of smoke and their hair was not singed. In other words they did not look like what they went through.

We have to gain the confidence to know that we are called to go through for the glory of God and that He will not allow us to suffer beyond our ability to stand. If we take a closer look at the scriptures mentioned Isaiah 40:31 lets us know that we are actually being delivered while we are in the midst of the trial. The scripture tells those that wait, they will renew their strength. This is a confidence builder that gives us a promise that we will be renewed while in the state of waiting. There is no need for our hearts to troubled because He has already overcome. As a result we are victorious. When our thoughts change our attitudes concede victory and we glorify the Father which is in heaven through the power the moves within us. No longer does the brokenness of the past hinder the flow of Christ's love and forgiveness. Our spirits are comforted by His grace and mercy. Goodness and Mercy shall follow the believer all the days of his life. God bless and keep you. Thank you for listening.