Hi Faith Family,
Have you been to the dentist recently? I had the best dental experience of my life recently. We switched dentists and I had my first cleaning relaxing in a reclining massage chair while watching a plasma screen t.v. in the ceiling broadcasting ESPN SportCenter. My friend has also been to the dentist recently, although his experience wasn’t as enjoyable. One of our contacts is a man a little older than myself named Binh. I would really like to share information about Binh’s life experience because only then you could really get the full impact of this illustration. Instead, let’s just say our friend Binh has had more than his share of difficulties. Binh usually comes in at least once a week in need of something. Help with his bank, insurance, doctor, work, INS, pharmacy, landlord, roommate, mechanic, or dentist, to name a few. So, Co-sign Binh asked me to write a note to the dentist he was going to. The office called me back in order to have me communicate to him that there may be an extraction—multiple extractions.
The next day he walked in to my office: NOT A TOOTH IN HIS HEAD!
He had the biggest smile for a guy with no teeth. The dentist wouldn’t make dentures for him until he paid his extraction bill. He is saving up for that. Until then, pass the tofu, soup, and yogurt to my friend, Binh.
My purpose is not to reinforce your mom’s adage “Sure, honey—you only have to brush and floss the teeth you want to keep.” Rather, Binh helped to illustrate Proverbs 25:19: “Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble.”
Perhaps you have had the experience of being let down by someone you were counting on. Perhaps it was a crucial time when you were depending on someone who totally fell apart. These types of experiences are hurtful. Maybe you can recall a time when people were counting on you, and you let them down. Sometimes forgiveness comes slowly, and memories take time to fade.
Such shortcomings in ourselves or those we have trusted are yet further displays of how sin taints and touches everything.
Well, almost everything.
God’s faithfulness is unfailing and holds fast when all other falls away.
Trusting in God is never like a bad tooth. Trusting in God is never like a lame foot. Trusting in God is the smartest placement of our trust always, in every situation, big or small. God will never let us down. “Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver you and you will glorify me” your God promises. The timing of God’s help is not your decision. The style and manner of God’s deliverance is not your choice. But God will do what is for your long-term good and bring good from situations you might otherwise deem hopeless. What a wondrous God who has delivered you from sin and eternal punishment for sin; yet in addition, helps you through every disappointment, sadness, and bad hair day. God bless and strengthen your reliance on the One who is faithful in all times of trouble.
Prayer idea: Pray for Binh to listen and believe the messages we share with him about Jesus. Pray for increased reliance on God when you experience challenges. Pray for release of any grudge you may be holding against those who have let you down in some way. Pray for a release from guilt for any time you have let others down (pray for help to forgive yourself).
Blessings on your week . . . and don’t forget to floss!
--Pastor Dan